CIPD Level 7 Senior People Professional (EPA) End-point Assessment Example

Introduction

Assessment method 2 of the end-point assessment (EPA) is made up of two assessment components:

1. project proposal
2. presentation with questioning.

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for assessment method 2 to apprentices, employers and training providers. It gives guidance on how to approach and produce the project proposal and how to prepare for the presentation and questioning. It will also be useful for your employer and training provider when considering how they can best support you.

The project proposal is written after you have gone through the gateway. The title and scope of the project proposal will be signed off by CIPD at gateway to confirm its suitability. You will have 12 weeks to research, write and submit the project proposal. You will need senior leadership commitment to support your proposal and to sign it off for implementation before it is submitted
for EPA.
The presentation (based on parts of the project proposal) is produced when writing your project proposal. You will submit any materials for the presentation at the same time as the project proposal.

The total time for the presentation and questioning is 60 minutes:
• The presentation should last approximately 20 minutes.
• The questioning should last 40 minutes.

The project proposal and documents relating to the presentation will need to be uploaded to the documents section in SmartEPA (SEPA) 21 days before the date of assessment.

For further guidance on gateway sign-off and timings, please refer to the Level 7 Senior People Professional Gateway Submission document.

Abbreviations used

• GD(s): grading descriptors outlined in the assessment plan and at the end of this document.
• KSB(s): knowledge, skill and/or behaviour component(s), as outlined in the apprenticeship standard.
• EPA: end-point assessment.

Requirements for assessment method 2 set out in the assessment plan

These are the requirements set out in the assessment plan for this apprenticeship. The assessment indicates how the apprenticeship will be assessed through the EPA:
• Apprentices need to complete a significant, relevant and defined project or piece of work that has real business application and benefit and can be written up as a project proposal.
• The resulting project proposal needs to be scoped and designed so that it is relevant to the apprentice’s role and enables the apprentice to evidence all the KSBs for assessment method 2.
• The project proposal does not need to be fully implemented during the EPA period, but it must be a comprehensive proposal that will enable full implementation at an appropriate time for the organisation.
• Apprentices must complete the project proposal and presentation unaided.
• The project proposal must be signed off at senior leadership or board level for implementation.
• Evidence from the project proposal and the presentation with questioning will be assessed holistically, that is, assessors will draw on relevant evidence from both components to assess each GD and its KSB components.

Project proposal guidance

The project proposal is used to assess eight grading descriptors (GDs) and associated knowledge, skill and behaviour components (KSBs). It is important that you follow the recommendations and guidance provided in this document when deciding how to approach your project proposal. This will give you the best opportunity to provide evidence for all the GDs assessed in assessment method 2.
You will need to ensure that you have senior leader or board-level support for your project and that your project proposal is signed off for implementation before it is submitted. Below is guidance on the type of project that may be suitable and the recommended structure of your project proposal.

Generic specification of projects

The following examples are types of project that would be suitable to write up for the project proposal. This is not an exhaustive list but provided as guidance. All project titles and scopes will be signed off at gateway:

1. You could review a current people approach, service or product to ensure it is still fit for purpose and meets the needs of the business.
   Specific examples could be:
   Review your organisation’s approach (or business area/division/department if a large organisation) to one of the following areas:
   • workforce planning
   • employee experience
   • wellbeing
   • an area of reward or benefits
   • performance management
   • an area of ER
   • an area of learning and development
   • an area of organisation development or design.
2.  You could review a key organisational people policy (for example, flexible working or diversity & inclusion).
3.  You could review organisational culture or capability (or business area/division/department if a large organisation).
4. You could review a learning programme or platform.
5.  You could develop a change approach and plan to improve a people solution within the workplace. People change approach could be for:
   • a significant restructure
   • an acquisition/merger/divestment
   • TUPE
   • the introduction of new technology, AI or automation.
6.  You could plan and design a project that has strategic relevance.
   This could be an HR, OD or L&D strategy to support a change in organisation/business strategy or culture.

Structure of the project proposal

The project proposal needs to be evidence-based and include fully developed conclusions, implementation plan and recommendations.

The project proposal needs to be 7,000 words (+/− 10%), including tables, graphs and figures but excluding references and annexes.

The table below and the project proposal template outline the recommended structure and content for your project proposal. There are nine sections, each of which have suggested content to include and a recommended word count. To meet the requirements of the GDs, aim to cover all of the content indicated in the suggested content column. When completing your project proposal, you
may find that your project does not exactly fit these sections or word count recommendations. Projects will vary in nature and scope, and therefore variation in the way they are written up is to be expected. This structure is there to support you as guidance and should not limit or constrain your project.

There is a template for sign-off at the end of the project proposal template. Alternatively, you may submit another form of evidence that shows the project proposal has been approved. This could be an email, meeting minutes, a signature on internal documentation, etc. We recommend that you ensure you have commitment from senior leaders to review your project proposal at
gateway.

The project proposal must include an annex showing how the project proposal maps to the GDs and associated KSBs. The project proposal template indicates how to map to the GDs.

Guidance on the Presentation and Questioning

Your presentation will be based on work you have done to develop the project proposal. As with the project proposal, it needs to be evidence-based and include fully developed plans and recommendations where appropriate.

The purpose of the presentation is to give you the opportunity to expand on your approach in particular aspects of your project proposal and to give you the opportunity to demonstrate depth and breadth against particular GDs from this assessment method.

The questioning will cover all GDs assessed in this assessment method and is an opportunity for you to showcase your competence and excellence. Your assessor will ask questions that focus on specific GDs and you will have the opportunity to expand on the approach taken in your project proposal.

The delivery of the presentation should last approximately 20 minutes.
We recommend using one of the following formats to create your presentation:

• Microsoft PowerPoint (or similar presentation software) .pptx
• Microsoft Word (or similar software) .docx
If you would prefer to use an alternative format, please get in touch with MyEPA@cipd.co.uk to discuss. We will always seek to accommodate reasonable requirements and adjustments.
A suggested structure is given below to help you when designing your presentation.
The questioning will last approximately 40 minutes.
Your assessor will ask questions designed to give you the opportunity to present evidence against the GDs.

Permitted documents

You should bring your project proposal to refer to when responding to your assessor’s questions.
You may also bring:
• notes you have made in preparation
• blank paper for making notes during the assessment.
You will not be permitted to use electronic communication devices other than that with which you are accessing the assessment for security purposes.

Presentation and Questioning Process

Answer

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