Unit 2: Understanding Organisations
General guidance:
This unit is externally assessed. The assessment will be a 90-minute written examination.
Questions will be set in the context of a pre-release case study. Each paper will be based on a
different case study.
Centres will be issued with a sample paper, specimen answers and a mark scheme – a SAM (sample assessment material).
Visit this website for up-to-date information: http://developments.edexcel.org.uk/diplomas/what/lines/eng/
The unit has seven learning outcomes and the assessment will have questions that address the assessment criteria as listed in this table (reproduced from the unit specification).
Learning outcome number / Learning outcomeThe learner should: / Assessment criteria
The learner can:
LO1 / Understand how the type, structure and ownership of organisations relate to their objectives. / Explain how the type, structure and ownership of organisations relate to their objectives.
LO2 / Understand typical organisational functional activities, roles and responsibilities. / Explain typical organisational functional activities, roles and responsibilities.
LO3 / Understand the principles of key technology-enabled business processes, considering local, national and global dimensions. / Explain the principles of technology-enabled business processes considering local, national and global dimensions.
LO4 / Understand success and risk indicators for organisations. / Assess success and risk indicators for organisations.
LO5 / Understand the implications of introducing different types of technology systems into an organisation. / Explain the implications of introducing different types of technology systems into an organisation.
LO6 / Understand the principles of integration and interaction between systems. / Explain the principles of integration and interaction between systems.
LO7 / Be able to analyse and document business processes and propose technology-enabled improvements. / Carry out a structured business analysis of an organisation and propose technology-enabled improvements.
Learner guidance
l The questions which follow relate to the unit assessment criteria and the range statements in the ‘What you need to cover’ section of the unit specification.
l The assessment criteria have descriptors: for example, ‘identify’ and ‘describe’.
l The descriptor will give you an idea of what type of question to expect:
Descriptor / Type of questionDescribe / Short answer, long answer
Explain, Review, Apply / Long answer: explain why choices were made.
Analysis / Being able to apply a theoretical concept to a real situation to draw a conclusion.
Assess / Long-answer, looking at strengths and weaknesses.
Propose / Suggest and justify a solution to a problem.
u Learning outcome LO1
Understand different types of business organisation:
l Public sector
l Private sector
l Not-for-profit
l Voluntary.
Understand different types of business organisation structure:
l Hierarchical
l Matrix
l Flat.
Understand different business organisation ownership:
l Sole trader;
l Partnership;
l Private limited company;
l Public limited company (PLC);
l Government-owned;
l Charitable trust;
l Co-operative.
Understand different business objectives:
l maximise profit;
l enhance efficiency;
l improve competitiveness;
l enhance customer service;
l raise awareness.
u Learning outcome LO2
Understand typical organisational functional activities:
l Administration;
l Customer Service;
l Finance/Accounting;
l Sales and Marketing;
l Operations and Production;
l Research and Development;
l Procurement;
l IT.
Understand typical organisational roles and responsibilities:
l Director
l Divisional Head
l Team Leader
l Project Manager
l Supervisor
l Team Member.
u Learning outcome LO3
Understand the principles of key technology-enabled business processes, considering local, national and global dimensions:
l MIS
l Customer
l relationship management
l supplier management
l product development
l service delivery
l people management
l stock control
l finance.
u Learning outcome LO4
Understand success and risk factors for organisations:
l Profitability;
l cash flow and liquidity;
l return on investment;
l net present value;
l competitive pressures;
l economic environment;
l market trends.
u Learning outcome LO5
Understand the implications of introducing different types of technology systems into an organisation:
l impact on procedures;
l training needs;
l integration of legacy systems;
l legal requirements, such as copyright;
l security and data protection.
u Learning outcome LO6
Understand the principle of integration and interaction between systems:
l interfaces
l data structures
l protocols.
u Learning outcome LO7
Be able to analyse business processes:
l documents, e.g. invoices, delivery notes, order forms, purchase/requisition forms;
l time and motion study;
l SWOT analysis;
l product life cycle analysis.
Be able to document business processes:
l data flow diagrams;
l flow charts;
l structure diagrams.
© Pearson Education Ltd 2008 Information Technology page 4 of 4
Level 3 Advanced Diploma Unit 2