BTEC Level 3 Unit 6 Principles of Management Assessment Brief 2026

Unit 6 Principles of Management Assessment Brief

Unit in Brief

This unit enables learners to understand how the role of management and leadership in the workplace contributes towards business success.

Unit Introduction

Managers are vital to the running of any business; they shape and influence business through their managerial performance and leadership.

In this unit, you will examine how businesses adapt their approaches to management in response to challenges in their environment. Depending on their roles and responsibilities, managers need to develop skill sets that enable them to work effectively in areas such as the management of people, financial, resource and quality management, and the management of change. You will investigate some of the issues that managers and leaders have to deal with in the workplace in making businesses more efficient and ensuring their survival and growth. The effective planning and organising of a business’s activity can significantly influence the success of a business.

This unit will help you to progress to employment, by considering a career working in supervision and management, and/or to vocational training. Additionally you might move on to related higher education having developed a knowledge and understanding of management.

Summary of Assessment

This unit is assessed under supervised conditions. Part A is released one week before Part B is scheduled for learners to prepare. Learners will take Part B in a supervised assessment in a single three- hour session timetabled by Pearson. The assessment is set and marked by Pearson.

The number of marks for the unit is 88.

The assessment availability is twice a year in December/January and May/June. The first assessment is available in January 2018.

Sample assessment materials will be available to help centres prepare learners for assessment.

Assessment Outcomes

AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of management and leadership principles, concepts, key terms, functions and theories

AO2 Apply knowledge and understanding of management and leadership issues to real-life business scenarios

AO3 Analyse and evaluate management information and data, demonstrating the ability to interpret the potential impact and influence on business effectiveness in context

AO4 Be able to recommend management and leadership proposals in context with appropriate justification, using a range of evidence to support arguments

The essential content is set out under content areas. Learners must cover all specified content before the assessment.

Essential Content

The essential content is set out under content areas. Learners must cover all specified content before the assessment.

A The definitions and functions of management

A1 Definitions of management and leadership

• Management by objectives.
• Situational and contingency.
• Functional and action centred.
• Transformational and transactional.
• The concept of leadership continuum for management behaviour.

A2 Functions of management and leadership

• Functions of management:
  o planning
  o organising
  o coordinating
  o controlling
  o monitoring
  o delegating.
• Functions of leadership:
  o inspiring
  o energising
  o influencing stakeholders
  o envisioning
  o determining best path/route to achieve success

A3 Business culture

• Definition
• Business vision, mission and values/ethos.
• Influence of business culture on management practices.
• Policies and procedures.
• Management styles.
• Structure of the workforce.
• How people work.

B Management and leadership styles and skills

B1 Management and leadership styles

• Autocratic.
• Democratic/participative.
• Paternalistic.
• Laissez-faire.
• Transactional.
• Transformational.
• Charismatic

B2 Management and leadership skills

• Setting objectives.
• Motivating.
• Decision making.
• Team building.
• Leading by example.
• Consulting.
• Problem solving.
• Valuing and supporting others.
• Managing conflict.
• Building positive interpersonal relationships.
• Using emotional intelligence.
• Communicating.
• Giving feedback

C Managing Human Resources

C1 Human resources (HR)

• Human resources as a factor of production.
• Labour market analyses.
• Forecasting labour demand.
• Sources of information available to conduct labour market analyses.
• The link between business planning and human resources.
• The impact of globalisation on human resource planning.

C2 Human resource planning

• The nature of the work and the characteristics required to perform work roles.
• Skill levels.
• Experience.
• Educational level.
• Aptitude.
• Need for flexibility in the workforce.
• Core versus peripheral workers.
• Full-time versus part-time workers.
• Sub-contracting.
• Zero hours contracts.
• Temporary staff.
• Agency staff.
• Management actions to address human resource issues at an operational level.
• Labour turnover (expressed in words and numbers).
• Productivity.
• Skill shortages.
• Workplace stress.
• Absenteeism (expressed in words and numbers).
• Motivation.
• Engagement with business culture.
• Employee satisfaction

D Factors influencing management, motivation and performance of the workforce

D1 Motivation in the workplace

• Theories of motivation (A Maslow, F Herzberg, F W Taylor, E Mayo et al).
• Impact of motivation on business performance.
• Financial motivators.
• Non-financial motivators.

D2 Techniques to meet skills requirements

• Recruitment.
• Upskilling/reskilling/training.
• Outsourcing.
• Changing job roles.
• Restructuring.

D3 Training and development

• The purpose of training needs analysis.
• Types of training:
  o internal/external
  o on-the-job/off-the-job
  o mentoring
  o coaching
• Effectiveness of training.

D4 Performance appraisal

• Purpose of performance appraisal:
  o to set individual and group targets
  o to assess individual and group performance
  o to provide employee feedback
  o to identify training needs.
• Types of appraisal:
  o self-assessment
  o management by objectives
  o ratings scales
  o 360° appraisal.
• Impact of performance appraisal:
  o on the individual
  o on the business.

E Impact of change

E1 Managing change

• The need to manage change for business survival and success.
• Factors influencing change:
  o internal
  o external.
• Stakeholders who influence change:
  o owners
  o managers
  o customers
  o regulators
  o financial institutions
  o government
  o employees

F Quality management

F1 Quality standards

• British Standards Institution (BSI).
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• Kite marks – IIP

(use standards relevant at time of teaching).

F2 Developing a quality culture

• Setting quality standards.
• Managerial commitment and staff buy-in.
• Quality circles.
• Partnership working with suppliers and customers.
• Transparent and open communication.

F3 The techniques and tools of quality management

• Quality control.
• Lean manufacturing.
• Six sigma.

F4 The importance and benefits of quality management

• Zero defect production and output.
• Continuous improvement.
• Improved output quality.
• Reduced inspection requirements.
• Supplier engagement and satisfaction.
• Customer involvement and satisfaction.
• Improved efficiency and profitability.

Grade Descriptors

To achieve a grade a learner is expected to demonstrate these attributes across the essential content of the unit. The principle of best fit will apply in awarding grades.

Level 3 Pass

Learners will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles and functions of management and leadership, and determine business best practice in context. They will be able to rationalise the styles and skills required in different management and leadership situations. Learners can appreciate the challenges faced by businesses and how these have influenced the management of human resources. They will be able to apply motivational theories, and show understanding of the factors influencing management and performance of the workforce and their application in the workplace. They will show an understanding of the need to manage change and quality to ensure business success. Learners can propose and justify recommendations for business improvement based on management and leadership principles.

Level 3 Distinction

Learners will be able to critically evaluate information in context relating to improving the effectiveness of management and leadership practices. They can apply relevant concepts, models and theories in order to present reasoned evaluations in realistic business scenarios. Learners make appropriate judgements and present fully justified recommendations for business improvement. They will understand the importance of change to ensure business success and how a quality standards culture needs to be embedded, developed and maintained to remain successful.

Key Terms Typically used in Assessment

The following table shows the key terms that will be used consistently by Pearson in our assessments to ensure students are rewarded for demonstrating the necessary skills.

Please note: the list below will not necessarily be used in every paper/session and is provided for guidance only.

Links to other units

This unit links to:

Unit 1 Exploring Business
Unit 8: Recruitment and Selection Process
Unit 20: Investigating Corporate Social Responsibility
Unit 21: Training and Development
Unit 24: Employment Law.

Employer involvement

This unit would benefit from employer involvement in the form of:

•  guest speakers
• business materials as exemplars
• support from local business staff as mentors
• visits to appropriate businesses.

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