Professional Skills Resit Portfolio

This document is a Professional Skills Resit Portfolio for the Spring 19 semester. It includes tasks on teamwork, professional ethics, project management, and professional skills in action. The portfolio must be submitted electronically.

Spring 19
Professional Skills Resit Portfolio
(PRSK4048)
Student Name:
Student Number:
Lecturer Name:
Deadline for Submission: 10th April 2019, by 2pm
Please save a copy on your computer and back it up regularly (e.g. by saving it on your computer / in
the cloud (e.g. Google Drive) / emailing it to yourself).
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Assessed Learning Outcomes:
1. Understand and have knowledge of professional skills and continual awareness in a business
environment.
2. Use appropriate technologies to facilitate the completion of self-analysis/reflection.
3. To reflect, analyse and discuss strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities personally and
academically.
4. Understand, improve and reflect upon their own personal strengths in relation to the
professional environment.

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Table of Contents Page Learning outcomes
Task 1: Teamwork (300 words) 3 LO2, LO3
Task 2: Professional Ethics (300 words) 7 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Task 3: Project Management (300 words) 9 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Task 4: Professional Skills In Action (1,200 words) 12 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Total Word Count: 2,100 words (+/- 10%)
All tasks must be completed individually. There is no group work involved in the
Professional Skills resit module.
Provide reflection on your previous team work experience. In the completion of this
portfolio, think about your previous team work experience, either in Professional Skills
module or in another situation when you were engaged with others in a common
task/project. OR Think about either your previous experience in the Professional Skills
module or in another team you were a part of.
Professional Skills Portfolio must be submitted electronically. Please download an e-
copy of the portfolio from GSM Learn. Please refer to the guidance given in lectures
and tutorials and the additional information and videos on GSM Learn when
completing each task.
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Task 1: Teamwork
This task consists of three parts:
1. Belbin Questionnaire
2. Scoring Key for Self-Perception Inventory
3. Written Discussion (400 words)
Part 1: Belbin Questionnaire
Belbin (1996) outlines the different type of roles people may have within a team. Complete the
following questionnaire to identify your main role(s). To complete the questionnaire:
1. In the far left hand columns in each section A-G tick the one, two or max. three sentences most
applicable to yourself. You may not choose more sentences than three.
2. Then in each section A-G in the column on the right, share 10 points between those sentences (i.e.
QN - question numbers) that apply to you. For example, you could give your first choice seven points
and three points to your second choice if one of sentences you feel sums you up well while the other
only applies some of the time. In some instances you might decide that there are two sentences
which apply to you equally – if this is the case, award five points to each. You may distribute 10
points in any way you see fit.
SECTION A
Tick QN When involved in a project with other people: Points
 1. I can be relied upon to see that work that needs to be done is organised. 3
2. I pick up slips and omissions that others fail to notice.
3. I react strongly when meetings look like losing track of the main objective.
4. I produce original suggestions.
 5. I analyse other people’s ideas objectively, for both merits and failings. 4
6. I am keen to find out the latest ideas and developments.
 7. I have an aptitude for organising people. 3
8. I am always ready to support good suggestions that help to resolve a problem.
SECTION B
Tick QN In seeking satisfaction through my work: Points
1. I like to have a strong influence on decisions.
2. I feel in my element where work requires a high degree of attention and concentration.
 3. I am concerned to help colleagues with their problems. 6
4. I like to make critical discrimination between alternatives.
 5. I tend to have a creative approach to problem solving. 3
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6. I enjoy reconciling different points of view.
7. I am more interested in practicalities than new ideas.
 8. I particularly enjoy exploring different views and techniques. 1
SECTION C
Tick QN When the team is trying to solve a particularly complex problem: Points
1. I keep a watching eye on areas where difficulty may arise.
 2. I explore ideas that may have a wider application than in the immediate task. 1
3. I like to weigh up and evaluate a range of suggestions thoroughly before choosing.
 4. I can co-ordinate and use productively other people’s abilities and talents. 3
5. I maintain a steady systematic approach, whatever the pressures.
6. I often produce a new approach to a long continuing problem.
7. I am ready to make my personal views known in a forceful way if necessary.
 8. I am ready to help whenever I can. 6
SECTION D
Tick QN In carrying out my day-to-day work: Points
1. I am keen to see there is nothing vague about my task and objectives.
2. I am not reluctant to emphasise my own point of view in meetings.
 3. I can work with all sorts of people provided that they have got something worthwhile to
contribute.
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 4. I make a point of following up interesting ideas and/or people. 2
5. I can usually find the argument to refute unsound propositions.
6. I tend to see patterns where others would see items as unconnected.
 7. Being busy gives me real satisfaction. 5
8. I have a quiet interest in getting to know people better.
SECTION E
Tick QN If I am suddenly given a difficult task with limited time and unfamiliar people: Points
1. I often find my imagination frustrated by working in a group.
2. I find my personal skill particularly appropriate in achieving agreement.
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3. My feelings seldom interfere with my judgment.
 4. I strive to build up an effective structure. 5
 5. I can work with people who vary widely in their personal qualities and outlook. 5
6. I feel it is sometimes worth incurring some temporary unpopularity if one is to succeed in
getting one’s views across in a group.
7. I usually know someone whose specialist knowledge is particularly apt.
8. I seem to develop a natural sense of urgency.
SECTION F
Tick QN When suddenly asked to consider a new project: Points
1. I start to look around for possible ideas and openings.
2. I am concerned to finish and perfect current work before I start.
 3. I approach the problem in a carefully analytical way. 2
4. I am able to assert myself to get other people involved if necessary.
5. I am able to take an independent and innovative look at most situations.
 6. I am happy to take the lead when action is required. 5
 7. I can respond positively to my colleagues and their initiatives. 3
8. I find it hard to give in a job where the goals are not clearly defined.
SECTION G
Tick QN In contributing to group projects in general: Points
1. I think I have a talent for sorting out the concrete steps that need to be taken given a broad
brief.
2. My considered judgement may take time but is usually near the mark.
3. A broad range of personal contacts is important to my style of working.
 4. I have an eye for getting the details right. 4
 5. I try to make my mark in group meetings. 3
6. I can see how ideas and techniques can be used in new relationships.
 7. I see both sides of a problem and take a decision acceptable to all. 3
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8. I get on well with other and work hard for the team.
Part 2: Scoring Key for Self-Perception Inventory
1. Transfer your points’ allocation from the seven sections of the Self-Perception Inventory to the
appropriate boxes below. The pre-printed numbers in the grid refer to the question numbers (QN) of
each section. For example, if for Section A you allocated seven points for question 6 and three points
for question 1, you would place them in the columns RI and IMP, respectively.
SH CO PL RI ME IMP TW CF
QN Points QN Points QN Points QN Points QN Points QN Points QN Points QN Points
A 3. 7. 3 4. 6. 5. 4 1. 3 8. 2.
B 1. 6. 5. 3 8. 1 4. 7. 3. 6 2.
C 7. 4. 3 6. 2. 1 3. 5. 8. 6 1.
D 2. 3. 3 6. 4. 2 5. 1. 8. 7. 5
E 6. 5. 5 1. 7. 3. 4. 5 2. 8.
F 6. 5 4. 5. 1. 3. 2 8. 7. 3 2.
G 5. 3 7. 3 6. 3. 2. 1. 8. 4. 4
Total 8 17 3 4 6 8 15 9
2. Once you have allocated all your points, total each column. The highest two totals represent your
primary and secondary preferred team roles. Highlight them.
https://www.belbin.com/about/belbin-team-roles/ check this code
My primary team role is Co-ordinator and secondary is Team Worker
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Part 3: Written Discussion
Think about your previous team work experience, either in Professional Skills module or in another
situation when you were engaged with others in a common task/project. In this evaluation:
 Discuss the role of teamwork in the project and reflect on various roles that you could see in
action, taking into account people’s strengths;
 Explain the application of Belbin theory as a tool for team selection and reflect on any
mismatch of skills you observed;
 Comment on your individual primary and secondary team roles – to what extent do you agree
with the above scores; use evidence of past experiences to support your position.
Write 300 words.
The role of teamwork that is likely to be discussed here deals with a joint project that comprises of 4 to 6 members. The
various roles that could be identified involved effective managers who have the power to identify the unique strengths that
are possessed by every team member. It has been reflected that taking strengths into account helps to improve the overall
performance. The Belbin theory is regarded as a diagnostic tool that is useful for teams in order to initiate a better
teamwork. This application will help to discover the behavioural strengths as well as weaknesses of associated team
members. The mismatch of skills that has been observed deals with overeducated as well as over-skilled employees. The
case that has been recognised shows that the individuals have been employed in a job for which a particular degree is not
required (Smith, Polglase and Parry, 2012). In this case, the mismatch has been recognized in relationship to wages, job
mobility as well as job satisfaction.
The primary role that I possess is that of a coordinator under which I am responsible for proposing purchases as well as
negotiating procurement. As a team worker, I have been responsible for motivating my team members to communicate
constructively with every individual. The past experience as a coordinator has been good as I have been able to
comprehend work-based learning prospects. I have also been able to develop marketing strategy thus being able to utilize
technology that helps to promote work-based learning. I have been able to provide a collaboration of program service with
other associates thus working a team worker. The past experiences has helped me to maintain a positive record as well as
develop a work-based learning procedure. I have been able to participate in a development training that is professional in
monitoring the work broadly.
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Reference List: Smith, M., Polglase, G. and Parry, C., 2012. Construction of student groups using Belbin: Supporting group
work in environmental management. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 36(4), pp.585-601.
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Task 2: Professional Ethics
This task consists of two parts:
1. Code of Conduct
2. Ethics in Industry (300 words)
Part 1: Code of Conduct
Research a Code of Conduct which is applicable to a profession in your industry. It should outline
expectations for professional conduct and state values that underpin work in a specific position in
your industry. Paste its screenshot in the space provided. Provide a full reference for it.
Reference list: Shani, A., Belhassen, Y. and Soskolne, D., 2013. Teaching professional ethics in culinary studies.
International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 25(3), pp.447-464.
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Part 2: Ethics in Industry
Think about your previous team work experience, either in Professional Skills module or in another
situation when you were engaged with others in a common task/project. In this evaluation:
 Provide one or two specific examples of situations that affected professional conduct.
 Evaluate them in light of the values set out in the above Code of Conduct.
 Link this to the role of ethics and professional conduct in your industry.
Please refer to GSM Learn materials for guidelines. Write 300 words.
The first example of the situation that affected professional code of conduct included consumption of alcohol on company
premises. The code of conduct is mostly subject to the UK oil and gas industry Policy. The second example that affected
professional code of conduct included acceptance of gifts as well as payments either directly or indirectly from an
individual or a company with whom the company carries out business with.
The values that has been set out in the above code of conduct includes employee protection from injury as well as
occupational illness. The working environment requires to provide a health and safety commitment to the emloyees that
will involve co-operation as well as support. The company requires to remain committed to equality in the workplace that
will help to identify a diverse workforce. This will make it easier to serve the stakeholders competently ( Cotton, 2017).
Any type of personal harassment requires to be restricted that takes place in the form of bullying as well as ostracizing. The
company also prohibits the usage of drugs as well as alcohol thus eradicating the illicit usage of drugs.
The role of ethics and professional conduct in the oil and gas industry in the UK has been related regarding governing
decisions. This reflects on behaviour of employees as well as particular guidance that makes it easier to handle problems
that involves safety as well as conflicts of interest. The professional conduct support individuals belonging to diverse
identities (Preuss, 2009). The consideration rate is high that helps to bring about the best work for the company. In this
case, disagreement is not regarded as the base for disrespectful behaviour. This will prohibit the use of drugs thus reducing
the unhealthy lifestyle of evety individual.
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Reference List: Cotton, M., 2017. Fair fracking? Ethics and environmental justice in United Kingdom shale gas policy and
planning. Local Environment, 22(2), pp.185-202.
Preuss, L., 2009. Ethical sourcing codes of large UK-based corporations: Prevalence, content, limitations. Journal of
Business Ethics, 88(4), pp.735-747.
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Task 3: Project Management
This task consists of two parts:
1. Gantt Chart
2. Discussion (300 words)
Part 1: Gantt Chart
Use an Excel spreadsheet to create a Gantt chart for the completion of this Professional Skills portfolio. Paste its screenshot in the space provided.
In your Gantt chart:
 name at least 5 key stages, i.e. summary tasks, for the work done during the Professional Skills resit module;
 break down summary tasks into specific tasks, i.e. terminal tasks, and decide on start and end date for each of them;
 present the information on the timeline graphically.
Please refer to GSM Learn materials for guidelines.
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Part 2: Written Discussion
You have created the Gantt chart for planning and managing the Professional Skills resit portfolio
completion. In this evaluation:
 Explain the rationale for the plan you have created and analyse the contingency plan for the
submission of your portfolio;
 Recognise where you may need to monitor your progress closely and potentially allocate
more time;
 Discuss the role of planning and managing the project, specifically in terms of the need to
meet the deadlines and moving the project forward.
Write 300 words.
The rationale for creating the Gantt chart is that it makes it easier to visualize schedule. The critical path is identified where
tracking progression of work items has become easier. Gantt chart makes it easier to make complicated information more
manageable. The contingency plan for the submission of the portfolio is to make the leaders well-versed regarding risk
management. The contingency plan comes into play when the original plan does not work properly (Geraldi and Lechter,
2012).
The overall operation of business requires to be recognized in order to monitor the progress. This will make it easier to
reflect on overcritical aspects. The risks will also get pinpointed thus reflecting on risk analysis. With the help of
contingency plan, the tricky aspects that deal with over-planning will also be recognized (Geraldi and Lechter, 2012).
In order to reflect on the role of planning as well as managing the project, a practical as well as competent project
management has been required that will deal with simplicity. This will increase the prospect to meet the deadlines thus
making it easier to move the project forward. It is imperative to provide clarity on project requirements. It will help to
avoid creep that will be related to project scope (Geraldi and Lechter, 2012). The stakeholders will be comprehending the
project scope that is regarded to be sacrosanct. In order to move the project forward, it is required to start making use of
project management tool. This will help senior project management to avoid bad surprises. It could be stated that it is
indispensable to automate project communication. This will reduce manual error as well as communication gap that exist in
managing a project.
Reference List: Geraldi, J. and Lechter, T., 2012. Gantt charts revisited: A critical analysis of its roots and implications to
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the management of projects today. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 5(4), pp.578-594.
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Task 4: Professional Skills in Action (1,200 words)
Task 4: Professional Skills in Action
Think about your previous team work experience, either in Professional Skills module or in another
situation when you were engaged with others in a common task/project. In this evaluation:
 Discuss what you would consider to be effective and what areas needed further development
in terms of building this team and completing the project:
o Explain how flexibility and creativity aligned with various roles team members played;
o Describe how effective communication was achieved and its effect on team-building;
o Review the decision-making processes that took place;
o Recognise where taking responsibility, ownership and acting on initiative were
effective and why;
 Select a critical moment during the group work and using Kolb’s (1984) reflective cycle,
discuss how you deepened your understanding of your own professional skills.
You should link all of the above points to your knowledge of professional skills in your industry.
Write 1,200 words.
Write in full sentences and paragraphs and ensure you include an appropriate number of references
for this level. You must refer to the reading list and ensure you have evidence for theory and ideas
around professional skills. Refer to the marking criteria about how reading and research affects your
grade.
The project teams require to align roles with team members directly. The roles that are aligned requires to come with
responsibilities as well as activities in which diverse individuals participates. The individuals are mostly responsible for
creating as well as documenting thoughts regarding how a service looks like. According to Rosso (2014), internalize
flexibility helps to adjust while team members are not being able to perform their task in a proper way. They might be stuck
in fluid thinking however, it will help to open doors to new prospects. In other words, flexibility also helps to deal with
change that is regarded as an aspect of life. On the other hand, creativity is regarded as the driver that brings about success
in both private as well as public sectors. Creativity helps the team members to think differently about their issues thus
making it easier to recognize unique scenarios. The author stated that creative thinkers are specialized in the field of
improvisation. In other words, it is easier for them to recognise that Plan A is not working effectively. As a result, it is
required to shift smoothly to plan B. Both flexibility as well as creativity helps to build career as well as leadership style
that are based on experiences. This in turn helps to view the aspects that are regarded as true drivers that initiate
development. On the other hand, effective communication helps in maintaining a positive work environment that is
permeated throughout the business areas. In this case, effective communication has been accomplished with the help of
proper listening abilities that in turn helped avoid misunderstanding. Effective communication is regarded to be essential to
bring about success in multiple aspects in life (Rosso, 2014). Almost all jobs requires a good communication ability that
helps to maintain an interpersonal relationship. Communication is regarded as a two-way procedure that helps to improve
listening as well as learning ability. The major aspect in effective communication has been dealing with open-door policies
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that in turn help to address issues. According to Rosso (2014), teams are reinforced as the individuals are empowered that
in turn express thoughts in a respectful environment. This in turn helps in promoting mutual respect that reflects on daily
work details. It makes it easier to coach about diversification to the employees. This in turn makes it easier to celebrate
exclusive qualities that make a great team. The decision-making procedures that have been involved deals with decision
gathering information as well as evaluating optional resolutions. The decision-making procedure that took place has
increased the power to identify the issue thus deciding how to address it. A step-by-step decision making procedure has
made it easier to initiate a more deliberate as well as thoughtful decisions thus making it easier to organize pertinent
information as well as defining alternatives. The evidence for acceptability as well as desirability has also been weighed
that has increased the prospect to become successful. Taking responsibility involves identifying the difference that exists
between responsibility as well as fault. A leader is always regarded to be responsible for a circumstance even if that
individual is not responsible for the circumstance. Ownership on the other hand, helps to derive accurate results thus
leading to most productive individuals. The individuals who are proactive regarding finding a way to their issues are mostly
successful. The reflective cycle by Kolb’s reflects on a four-stage learning cycle that states that the learner reflects on all
the bases (Rosso, 2014). I deepened my understanding regarding my professional area thus being able to realise the
concrete experience as well as active experimentation. I have been able to realise the four diverse learning styles that are
based on four-stage learning cycle. I have learned that it is not feasible to perform both variables on an individual axis at
the similar time. In other words, learning style is a product that deals with two decisions. I have been able to comprehend
about the aspects of diverging that helps to look at things from diverse viewpoints. There is always an inclination to gather
information as well as use imagination in order to solve issues. This makes it view concrete circumstances from multiple
diverse perspectives. It has made it clear that an individual performs better in circumstances that involve generating ideas
that includes brainstorming. This style has been identified as diverging as the individuals perform better with diverging
learning style. This includes wide cultural interests that help to gather information. The theory also reflects on assimilating
that states how learning preference deal with a concise as well as legal approach. It states that ideas as well as concepts are
more imperative as compared to individuals (Oetzel, 2017). This has made it easier for me to comprehend broad-ranging
information as well as organizing it in a proper as well as logical format. I have been able to comprehend that the learning
style is imperative to bring about competency in information thus leading to formal learning circumstances. On the other
hand, converging learning style helps in solving issues thus making it easier to find solutions to practical problems. A
converging learning style has been more attracted towards technical tasks as well as problems as compared to social as well
as interpersonal issues (Rosso, 2014). The accommodating learning styles depends on intuition instead of logic. It initiates
the use of analysis used by other individuals thus preferring a take on practical experiential approach. This has helped me to
remain attracted to new challenges as well as experiences thus making it easier to carry out plans. This has helped to
develop the overall professional abilities in the oil and gas industry. `
The skills that I have acquired in my industry include transferrable skills that are imperative to possess. This has made it
easier for me to look at other industries in order to fill the gap that has been caused due to labour shortages. I have been
able to implement strategies that have made it easier to draw top performers that belong to workforce divisions. This
includes luring that deals with required skills belonging to other sectors. This has made it easier to meet present recruiting
strategies as well as retention challenges (Camps, 2015). The transferrable skills has also made it obvious to develop a
more flexible approach regarding how a work requires to be carried out in order to secure the talent that is required. It has
also made it possible to remain aware about positive landmarks that are possessed by every individual. It is imperative to
remain empathise about the things from the perspective of other individuals.
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Reference List: Rosso, B.D., 2014. Creativity and constraints: Exploring the role of constraints in the creative processes of
research and development teams. Organization Studies, 35(4), pp.551-585.
Oetzel, J.G., 2017. Effective intercultural workgroup communication theory. The International Encyclopedia of
Intercultural Communication, pp.1-5.
Camps, N., 2015. An Exploratory Study of Skills Shortages within the Oil and Gas Industry in Scotland. International
journal of management and applied research, 2(3), pp.130-143.
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