Continuing Professional Development
Improving operational performance
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This course is for professionals who want to improve their practical contribution to how their organisation, or their part of it, manages performance. It provides you the tools and techniques you need to identify objectives; understand, monitor, measure and manage performance in the part of the organisation that you control; and identify how your own practice fits in. Rather than looking at managing performance through people, the course introduces key ideas from an operational viewpoint.
This course will be beneficial to large companies of 1000+ employees.
Course content
During this course, you will work at your own pace through study material that examines the main processes involved in organisational performance management, including environmental analysis, setting objectives, identifying processes, decision making and control. Throughout, a series of activities enable you to reflect upon and assess your current practice and to build up a Personal Action Plan for continued development in this area.
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- understand the different approaches to organisational performance
- identify how your own practice fits with these approaches
- set meaningful objectives
- select appropriate approaches to measuring and reviewing performance in your organisation
- identify ways to help improve performance
- plan further development in managing organisational performance.
The strong link between course learning and your work practice creates relevant, enduring and transferable outcomes. It requires no more than 30 hours of your time in total, over whatever period suits you. But the learning is far richer than more expensive one- to three-day workshops. Register online today and start tomorrow – no need to wait!
The course features the distinctive strengths of The Open University from its years of expertise in work-based learning:
- The convenience of accessing clearly presented and sequenced materials, activities and support whenever suits you and wherever you have access to the protected course website – if you prefer, you can print key materials to work on them offline.
- The support of an expert learning adviser who can clarify course materials, answer questions and help you relate the course to your specific needs.
- A work-based activity to help you to connect the course to your individual and organisational context and needs. This is built up from short activities during the course, leading to a Personal Development Plan. At the end of the course you send this to the learning adviser, who provides personal feedback.
- Certification of completion from the OU for those who complete the course. You can use this to demonstrate your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity to your employer and/or professional body. (N.B. The course does not carry academic credit points.)
Entry
Although there are no formal academic requirements to study any of our CPD courses, you are expected to have some experience in the field and the course assumes a familiarity with the subject.
For each course you can register and begin at any time during the life of the course. You can study at your own pace and submit your work-based activity at any date before the final submission date for the course. Information about the final submission date is available when you register for the course.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The course is delivered wholly online and should be accessible using a screen reader. Written transcripts of the audio interviews are available on the website. If you are a new learner with the OU, make sure that you have our booklet Meeting Your Needs. You can obtain a copy by contacting our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Course materials
What's included
All learning materials, exercises, study support and work-based activity are delivered entirely online.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Learner support
Expert, confidential learner support is available when you need it from a learning adviser, who will respond to you direct within 24 hours. Other support is available via the course forum, library, StudentHome website and computing helpdesk.
Work-based activity
The work-based activity for this course has been designed as an integrated ongoing activity that you submit at the end of your study. It will allow you to reflect on your learning and how to use it in your professional work.
Professional recognition
Successful completion of the course enables us to recognise your achievement of the course learning by issuing an OU certificate. You can use the Certificate to document your commitment to Continuing Professional Development in your personal portfolio, or to provide evidence to employers or a professional body.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
Study explained
- Special fee arrangements
- - the OU has relationships with many professional bodies, and as part of those relationships members may be entitled to special fee arrangements.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
Got a question?
Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90
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