A Good Guide to Completing Your ILM Assignments
A Good Guide to Completing ILM Assignments
This is a good guide to completing ILM assignments. In order to gain an ILM qualifications it is mandatory to complete and pass the required units consisting of various learning outcomes.
Salient points for consideration
- ILM course/module will ask you to complete one or more assignments. They are usually presented in essays style format
- Assignment questions will depend on the Levels of ILM module/s
- The assignment requires you to prove that you understand of the learning outcomes
- Understand clearly the assessment criteria to make sure you answer the question correctly
What is an ILM assignment?
The ILM assignment is a work-related test in the form of an essay question
- It is an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you understand what have been taught and you can apply and can understand the principles correctly
- There will be a word count and it is usually in the region of 1,000 word per assignment
Most people studying for an ILM Award, Certification and Diploma don’t write essay regularly. Some of you maybe have been out of the academic environment for some time and writing a long assignment or essay can be challenging. So, don’t worry your tutor/coach will make sure that the syllabuses are clearly explained before you tackle the assignment. There will also be support provided should you require any help in completing these assignments.
How to pass the assignment?
- Understand clearly the learning outcomes – You must show the assessor that you have understood, grasped the content, and practical application of the learning outcome.
- An example, if you were asked to ‘explain how to identify a problem ……’, your essay will need to show your understanding of the ‘root cause’ of the problem in the workplace, and your ability to manage the problem and the decision-making processes. Obviously, you can draw upon your previous experiences in your workplace.
If you understand the learning outcomes and the principles of working in the work place, you will understand the detailed process in completing the assignment/s.
You will need to consider the following:
- Policies and procedure
- The process of identifying problems
- How to tackle the issue and why you need to do this?
- Agree a course of action
- Assign responsibility accordingly
- Plan how to make decision, motivate, support and monitor progress
Are all assignments the same?
No.
ILM offers many modules of assignments, so you may have the opportunity to choose its tasks to complete related to your experiences.
Learning outcomes are set according to the module/s. That means that the assessment criteria do not change.
ILM assignment example questions (e.g. questions and answers)
The question will always be relevant to what covered/learnt and will always be work-based.
Below are good examples of prompt questions:
- How to identify, and apply project management tools?
- What are the responsibilities of the employer regarding workplace safety?
- Conduct a simple workplace/organisational SWOT analysis in the marketing context?
- Outline the benefits of effective team working/leading
- Explain the characteristics of different business marketing techniques
- Analyse how leadership and management theories may be applied
- Describe the importance of communication as a leaders and manager
- Describe constraints to amend priorities and plans
- Explain the marketing concept and its relevant in the organisation
How to approach the assignment
The first word/verb in the question that will give you the clue – it’s the verb.
‘Conduct’, describe’, ‘explain’, ‘list’, ‘analyse’, ‘discuss’ and ‘outline’ are all verbs asking different information required. It is good to reflect the past experience and use the learning outcome to answer the question.
The simple three-step technique below will apply to most assignment requirement.
1. Read the question carefully and understand them (i.e. apply the 5-W or 5-why analogy).
2. Respond to the question.
3. Check that you have fully answered the question
TIPS
Look out for the verbs. There is a significant difference between ‘list’ and ‘describe’. As you progress through the levels, the verb in the question is more related to ‘analyse’. This is a middle management or senior management question. The learning outcome in this example, is about how to manage larger team/s in an organisation.
ILM has a verb glossary for you to explore and understand.
How to structure your answers
Follow the structure of the ILM assessment criteria – i.e. hinds to help learners
Headings
Within the assignment paper, the ILM units are clearly laid out with the required outcomes for each section.
For example: (i.e. use these unit titles as headings in your assignment)
- Section 1. Evaluate own ability to fulfil key responsibilities of leadership role
- Section 2. Evaluate own awareness of emotions in shaping performance
- Section 3. Evaluate own ability to set direction and gain commitment
Your answer to the assignment question?
The content should be logical.
Question example: Evaluate your own ability to fulfil key responsibilities of a leadership role.
The theory you want to assess yourself against and to use:
- What the theory entitles
- Your interpretation and your analyses
- Provide references of sources used
Background
- Key responsibilities of the leadership role in your work place?
- Where you work & what you do?
Your ability
- Self-assessment
- Appraisal forms
- Workplace feedback processes and etc.
Practical application
- What was successful, and what could you have done differently/better to achieve a different outcome
- Judgement – how effective are you in fulfilling the key responsibilities of a leadership role?
Personal development plan (PDP) or CPD Log
- What are you going to do to get better (if applicable)?
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