Diploma in Management

Purpose

This qualification equips learners with the knowledge and applied competencies in management, financial management, project management. It also equips them in the economic, legal and administrative fields to allow them to be responsible, conscientious and successful across the different organisational functions within various sectors. General management competencies form an essential part of any successful and sustainable business and infuse within and across the different levels of the qualification. The different work-integrated learning modalities further develop qualified learners' problem solving, creative and innovative thinking abilities in supporting companies to achieve a competitive advantage within the corporate 'environment.

Rationale

This qualification takes cognisance of scarce skills as well as nascent and emerging management trends. The Services Skills Education Training Authorities (SETA) report (2012) on scarce skills states that computerisation and globalisation are driving increasing demands for skills in solving non-routine problems. The workforce is multi-skilled with fewer workers doing most of the work. Managers need to be skilled to guide projects, measure performance, encourage innovation and manage talent. Besides, businesses face pressure to integrate climate change considerations into all aspects of their operations. Given the government's infrastructure development projects, as well as the planning frameworks for the region and Africa, the demand for project management as a high-level skill, is bound to increase.

There is a major shift in the economy and the labour market towards services. The greater importance of the services sector implies that the future growth of the economy depends more on growth performance and productivity of the sector. Another management trend is that of sustainability and corporate social responsibility. In the coming decade, the focus is towards applying management principles to solutions of complex social issues, such as environmental sustainability, energy security and access to healthcare. This trend also underlines the need for interdisciplinary interaction and influence on business management.

To this end, the qualification provides the industry with qualified learners who have multi-functional disciplinary knowledge as opposed to specialised knowledge. Qualified learners are conversant in a broad management perspective and can distinguish how the different functions within an organisation fit into managerial decisions.

Qualified learners understand and master the theories and principles of Management, Financial Management, Project Management, as well as those in the Economic, Legal and Administrative fields of study. This qualification targets new entrants to the business arena as well as administrative assistants, administrative managers, team leaders/supervisors, project administrators, financial administrators and middle managers without a formal management qualification. It also provides a sound, broad and general foundation for those new entrants who are unsure of which career they wish to pursue.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of a learner against the admission requirements of a qualification and for credits against a part thereof. The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal and formal learning. The RPL process is multi-dimensional and multi-contextual; aimed at the individual needs of learners. The process is handled per an institutional RPL policy by a unit dedicated to this activity. The RPL process includes guidance and counselling, as well as the preparation of a body of evidence to be presented by the RPL learner to meet institutional requirements. An appeal procedure is also in place to accommodate queries. RPL in this qualification relates to gaining access to the qualification and credits/advanced standing as described in institutional guidelines.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4.

This qualification comprises of compulsory modules at NQF Level 5, and 6 totalling 366 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Leve 5, 222 Credits

• Management 1, 24 Credits.
• Financial Management 1, 24 Credits.
• Project Management 1, 24 Credits.
• Administrative Management 1, 12 Credits.
• Communication 1, 18 Credits.
• Business Computer Applications, 18 Credits.
• Business Law, 24 Credits.
• Communication 2, 6 Credits.
• Economics, 24 Credits.
• Industrial Relations and Labour Law, 18 Credits.
• Communication 3, 6 Credits.
• Applied Statistical Methods, 24 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Leve 6, 144 Credits

• Management 2, 24 Credits.
• Financial Management 2, 24 Credits.
• Project Management 2, 24 Credits.
• Management 3, 24 Credits.
• Financial Management 3, 24 Credits.
• Project Management 3, 24 Credits.

1. Apply principles of management to systematically analyse and solve problems of individual, group and organisational behaviour across business functions.
2. Apply knowledge of financial principles to analyse risk, adjust and forecast financial variables.
3. Apply project management methods, skills and tools to effectively administer a project over its life cycle from initiation to commissioning.
4. Apply knowledge of administrative procedures and ethics to different sectors.
5. Apply knowledge of micro and macro-economic as it relates to the global business environment.
6. Apply principles and theories of communication to interact on a professional level.
7. Integrate academic knowledge with work experience within formal and informal sectors.
8. Apply acquired technological skills effectively for academic purposes and the constantly changing work environment.
9. Manage legal requirements within a business.
10. Internalise a good work ethic and a healthy sense of responsibility.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Make innovative management decisions by applying various modern management tools and techniques.
• Solve management problems by applying quantitative, qualitative and critical thinking.
• Develop effective strategic plan by displaying insight into current and future developments in the South African and global milieu.
• Lead responsibly and ethically.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Draw up financial statements by focusing on income statements and balance sheets.
• Analyse financial statements based on an understanding of risk, leverage, capital structure, working capital management and the weighted average cost of capital.
• Make short term financial decisions.
• Prepare and monitor budgets for small, medium enterprises, or short term projects.
• Analyse a firm's liquidity and activity by using ratio analysis.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Compile project planning documents and a project schedule through displaying a working knowledge of Project Management principles, key concepts and techniques relevant to management.
• Design relevant organisational structures to support projects.
• Perform relevant costing activities.
• Work effectively in and with teams.
• Apply Project Quality management by focusing on project risk management, estimation, procurement management, feasibility studies and integration management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Know the foundational principles in Economics and apply the principles to the specific field required within either the business (micro) environment or the economy (macro).
• Apply economic thinking for decision-making and problem-solving in the relevant sectors of government, business and households.
• Use economic understanding to be an agent for change for the empowerment of individuals and society at large.
• Balance efficiency and equity to achieve growth and development, thereby, uplifting communities.
• Use underpinning knowledge of Economics to formulate rational arguments to empower marginalised sectors in society.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of communication in interpersonal as well as corporate contexts by communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
• Think and write analytically by applying academic writing principles in research writing.
• Apply appropriate oral presentation skills for delivery to groups.
• Produce persuasive spoken and written communication outputs that demonstrate an awareness of all critical issues and nuances in a given situation. Thereby, learners contribute to problem-solving and the exploration of opportunities for a culture of successful communication.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Perform in the national and global economy as a competent management learner.
• Embrace life -long learning.
• Display the necessary soft skills to be effective and efficient in the workplace.
• Develop a portfolio of evidence as a reflection of workplace based learning and for future career advancement.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Use technology to explore opportunities for innovation and problem-solving.
• Create and use electronic communication, files and folders on any computer device;
• Navigate network systems including cloud base computing; adding and retrieving of information from a cloud base system.
• Create, edit and enhance documents using the MS Word qualification, PowerPoint and Excel and MS Project.
• Create databases.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Demonstrate the ability to conclude valid contracts.
• Recognise the various forms of breach of contract and their related remedies.
• Predict the impact of the relevant legislation on specific commercial contracts.
• Apply fair selection and recruitment procedures within the workplace following prescribed legislation and workplace policies.
• Manage employment relations within the workplace following prescribed legislation and workplace policies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

- Demonstrate consistent, uncompromising adherence to sound ethical principles by

> Advocating and promoting a culture of ethics,

> Following publicised ethical standards, ethics training, and disciplinary procedures within the organisation.

• Apply effective networking and negotiating skills in all interactions with stakeholders, such that the images of self and organisation grow to the benefit of the organisation.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment forms part of continuous assessment and includes an appropriate mix of both formative and summative assessment methods.

Formative assessment usually consists of a variety of assessment tasks relevant to the field of study. In this qualification, it consists of a variety of tasks such as assignments, presentations, case studies.

Summative assessment takes place at the end of a section of work/quarter or semester and assesses learners' attainment against the learning outcomes of the qualification and subject(s). In this qualification, it consists of written tests, assignments and project-based learning conducted during and at the end of the academic semester/year.

Integrated assessment in this qualification takes place holistically using project reports, a portfolio of evidence and oral presentations related to the needs and requirements of the industry and field of study.