University Professional Skills Portfolio PRSK4048 Spring 2019

This portfolio, completed for the PRSK4048 Professional Skills module in Spring 2019, showcases a student's understanding and application of key professional competencies. The assignment is divided into four tasks: teamwork, professional ethics, project management, and professional skills in action. Task 1 focuses on teamwork, involving a Belbin questionnaire to identify team roles and a written discussion on team member selection and fostering creativity. Task 2 addresses professional ethics, including a code of conduct and an in-class writing assignment. Task 3 covers project management, including a Gantt chart and evidence of presentation. Task 4, the most extensive, requires a comprehensive application of the learned skills. The student demonstrates self-reflection, analytical skills, and the ability to apply theoretical concepts to practical scenarios, with a total word count of 2,100 words.

Spring 19
Professional Skills Portfolio (PRSK4048)
Student Name:
Student Number:
Tutor Name:
Deadline for Submission: 25th April 2019, by 2pm
Presentation Group Members (GM):
GM1 GM2
GM3 GM4
GM5 GM6
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.

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, except for the ‘Code of Conduct’ (Part 1 of
the Professional Ethics), the ‘Gantt Chart’ (Part 1 of the Project Management) and the
‘Evidence of Presentation’ (Part 3 of the Project Management) which should be
completed in collaboration with your group members.
There is one in-class task in this module. ‘Ethics in Industry: In-Class Writing’ (Part 2
of Professional Ethics) must be completed in your Week 4 tutorial.
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 [weeks 1 and 2]
This task consists of three parts:
1. Belbin Questionnaire
2. Scoring Key for Self-Perception Inventory
3. Written Discussion (300 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. 4
5. I analyse other people’s ideas objectively, for both merits and failings.
 6. I am keen to find out the latest ideas and developments. 3
7. I have an aptitude for organising people.
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. 3
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4. I like to make critical discrimination between alternatives.
5. I tend to have a creative approach to problem solving.
 6. I enjoy reconciling different points of view. 3
7. I am more interested in practicalities than new ideas.
 8. I particularly enjoy exploring different views and techniques. 4
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.
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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. 2
 5. I maintain a steady systematic approach, whatever the pressures. 5
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.
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. 3
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.
2
 4. I make a point of following up interesting ideas and/or people. 5
5. I can usually find the argument to refute unsound propositions.
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6. I tend to see patterns where others would see items as unconnected.
7. Being busy gives me real satisfaction.
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. 3
3. My feelings seldom interfere with my judgment.
 4. I strive to build up an effective structure. 4
 5. I can work with people who vary widely in their personal qualities and
outlook.
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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. 3
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. 3
 6. I am happy to take the lead when action is required. 4
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7. I can respond positively to my colleagues and their initiatives.
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.
 5. I try to make my mark in group meetings. 4
 6. I can see how ideas and techniques can be used in new relationships. 2
7. I see both sides of a problem and take a decision acceptable to all.
 8. I get on well with other and work hard for the team. 4
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
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
A 3. 7. 4. 4 6. 3 5. 1. 3 8. 2.
B 1. 6. 3 5. 8. 4 4. 7. 3. 3 2.
C 7. 4. 2 6. 2. 3 3. 5. 5 8. 1.
D 2. 3. 3 6. 4. 5 5. 1. 3 8. 7.
E 6. 5. 3 1. 7. 3. 4. 4 2. 3 8.
F 6. 4 4. 5. 3 1. 3. 3 8. 7. 2.
G 5. 4 7. 6. 2 3. 2. 1. 8. 4 4.
Tota
l
8 11 9 15 3 15 10
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.
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SH CO PL RI ME IMP TW CF
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
Q
N
Point
s
A 3. 7. 4. 4 6. 3 5. 1. 3 8. 2.
B 1. 6. 3 5. 8. 4 4. 7. 3. 3 2.
C 7. 4. 2 6. 2. 3 3. 5. 5 8. 1.
D 2. 3. 3 6. 4. 5 5. 1. 3 8. 7.
E 6. 5. 3 1. 7. 3. 4. 4 2. 3 8.
F 6. 4 4. 5. 3 1. 3. 3 8. 7. 2.
G 5. 4 7. 6. 2 3. 2. 1. 8. 4 4.
Tota
l
8 11 9 15 3 15 10
Part 3: Written Discussion
In Week 2 tutorial your task will be to choose group members for the group project, i.e. group
presentation. In this evaluation:
 Discuss the application of Belbin theory in the selection of your team members, taking into
account various strengths and roles that could be assigned;
 Explain how creativity and individualism will be encouraged in your team;
 Comment on your individual primary and secondary team roles – to what extent do you agree
with the above scores; use evidence of past experiences (such as the tower building task) to
support your position.
Write 300 words.
It is found that Belbin theory is generally applied in the selection of the project team members. It
is found that as per the Belbin theory, nine project team roles are generally identified as well as
categorized that mainly include action oriented, people oriented and thought oriented (Meslec &
Curşeu, 2015). The team members who are assignment for the project work have proper strengths
due to which they are generally assigned for a specific role so that the project team can be able to
complete work as per their roles as well as responsibilities.
It is found that both creativity as well as individualism will be encouraged with the project team so
that the project team will be able to complete the work of the project effectively. The strategies
that are generally utilized for enhancing individualism as well creativity are generally listed below:
 Scheduling regular brainstorms
 Building the right environment
 Creating proper innovation zones within the organization
 Creating a rotating culture
The primary role of the project team is to complete the work of the project properly within the
expected time and budget however the secondary role of the project team is to maintain
professionalism as well as proper working environment within the organization (Bjorvatn & Wald,
2018).
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Moreover, the I totally agree with the scores and the scores that are provided are mainly based on
my experience and learning that I have gained while undertaking my previous project.
Reference List:
Bjorvatn, T., & Wald, A. (2018). Project complexity and team-level absorptive capacity as drivers of
project management performance. International Journal of Project Management, 36(6), 876-888.
Meslec, N., & Curşeu, P. L. (2015). Are balanced groups better? Belbin roles in collaborative
learning groups. Learning and Individual Differences, 39, 81-88.
Task 2: Professional Ethics [weeks 3-4]
This task consists of two parts:
1. Code of Conduct (300 words)
2. Ethics in Industry: In-Class Writing
Part 1: Code of Conduct
This is a group task to be completed in Week 3 tutorial. With your team create a Code of Conduct
which will outline the professional conduct in your team during the preparation and delivery of the
Professional Skills presentation. Paste its screenshot in the space provided.
In your Code of Conduct:
 state the name for your team;
 list and explain the values that underpin the standards set by your team;
 outline the team’s agreements in terms of how work will be carried out and provide a list of
specific actions for situations where work is not carried out or is not up to the standard you
had agreed to.
Please refer to Week 3 tutorial handout for guidelines. Write approx. 300 words.
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Principle 1: Honesty, Integrity and Fair Play:
It is the duty of the company and its employees to ensure Honesty, Integrity and Fair Play in their
services that they execute within and outside office premises
Principle 2: Equal Opportunity for everyone
It is the responsibility of the company to provide equal opportunity to the employees irrespective
of their cats, creed and community and should be free from any kind of bias. Appraisal should only
be based on performance and merit of the employee only
Principle 3: Safety, and Health Practices:
It is duty of the company to ensure employee safety with integrated health practices and ensure
proper hygiene in the work place. Health of the employee is something that need significant
priority. However, employees should ensure personal hygiene as well
Principle 4: Fair Competition
Although employee should look for promotion and grow in their carrier, employees should not
consider any means that violates environment of fair policy
Principle 5: Governance and anti-corruption
An effective governance ensures employee growth while the company excel in the market.
However, corruption is something that needs to be always avoided to ensure effective governance
Principle 6: compliance with law and regulation
It is the responsibility of the company to ensure that all the activities of the company comply with
the applicable rules and regulation. It is important because it not only ensures legal compliance
and smooth functioning of the company in the industry.
Principle 7: conflict of Interest
Whenever conflict of interest arises it is responsibility of the employees to avoid personal interest
and give priority to the interest of the company
Principle 8: Reporting
Without active participation of the employees, it is not possible for the higher authority to ensure
effective execution of the code of conduct and hence employee should report any violation to the
code of conduct
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Part 2: Ethics in Industry: In-Class Writing
This is an in-class task to be completed in Week 4 tutorial.
In the space below paste a picture screenshot in the space provided of your in-class writing. The text
must include your tutor’s signature as evidence it was done in class under tutor’s supervision.
Please refer to Week 4 In-Class Writing Handout for guidelines.
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