Sourcing Essentials

Classification: Internal Use

This Assessment	Distinction	Merit	Pass	Fail	N/A
Structure and Presentation 20%	
• Creation of a logical flow of content • Incorporation of numbered contents page, executive summary, sections that cover conclusions and recommendations when relevant, references and bibliography • Ease of understanding the content included • Layout of text, inclusion of graphics, tables, data, references, headings, numbered paragraphs • Use of appropriate appendices • Composition of answers in keeping with any desired word count, timescales or other limitation
Research 20%	
• Collation of primary and/or secondary research • Use made of quantitative and/or qualitative data • Analysis of the research conducted • Reasoned critique of research provided • Acknowledged information sources
Knowledge and Approach 20%	
• Demonstration of acquired understanding of theory, models, techniques, processes, outcomes or other aspects of the syllabus • Appropriate selection of content to formulate answers • Methodology pursued to develop answers
Application and Insight 40%	
• Application of theory, models, techniques, processes, outcomes or other aspects of the syllabus • Creation of proposals for change that can achieve business improvement • Recognition of boundaries that can affect proposals made • Production of a business case or implementation plan when relevant

Strengths and weaknesses of the Assessment:

It was good to see the inclusion of your contents page, but you should take care to complete this by including the page numbering. This was followed by your executive summary and whilst this included interesting discussion, you should note that a better summary would have been provided if you had underlined the main strengths and weaknesses with the potential supplier’s financial standing. This should comment on the main strengths and weaknesses with the potential supplier’s financial standing. You were also required to provide a recommendation on any limit to the financial exposure and should note that a limit of exposure to 25% - 30% of their turnover would be appropriate in this case.

You then produced an introduction section which was really an extension of the executive summary but did provide some general background into financial analysis which was useful. You then produced a section discussing the financial position of the company without including any evidence of financial analysis having been undertaken. You produced a discussion which was very generic in places that did not refer to ratios as required by the assignment task. You did however produce a recommendation on as to if the company should be selected but again you did not back this up with any specific financial information and analysis.

To achieve higher marks, you can carry out research into the facilities management sector and benchmark the ratios that should be calculated against any of the suppliers that may be used by SABIC or industry leading suppliers that operate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It would also be beneficial if you provide the Altman or Springate scoring calculations that were featured in the course content to assess potential bankruptcy.

A key part of the programme is the demonstration of the application of the tools and techniques taught on the programme by the candidate in the assignment and this was not evident in this report.

You did use several external sources but these appeared to replace rather than support your discussion in large parts of this report. You do produce a conclusions section but could also include some recommendations as well at the end of the report.

Areas for Improvement:

Better marks could have been achieved if you had expanded your discussion to include some of the ratios taught on the programme and then discussed the findings of this analysis as well as considering the implications. You could also have included an analysis of another FM organisation for comparison purposes. As well as considering the limitation of financial analysis as well. You should also have provided an executive summary in the format discussed above. A recommendations section at the end of the report would also enhance the structure. In terms of external sources you should use them to support your discussion and not replace it.