Business, culture and change in context
What shapes the organisation from outside, what culture is on the inside, and why change goes wrong when nobody plans it.
Level 3 People Practice · 9 assessment criteria
Learning outcome 1
Understand the business environment in which the people profession operates, including the key issues that affect it.
- AC1.1examine
Examine the key external influences that impact on business environments.
What that asks for: Look at it closely and in detail, drawing out what is not obvious at a glance.
- AC1.2discuss
Discuss organisational goals and why it is important for organisations to plan.
What that asks for: Set out more than one view and show how they relate. A one-sided answer is the usual miss.
- AC1.3discuss
Discuss the products and/or services the organisation delivers, including who the main customers are.
What that asks for: Set out more than one view and show how they relate. A one-sided answer is the usual miss.
- AC1.4review
Review the range of technology available within the people profession, including how it can be utilised to improve working practices and collaboration.
What that asks for: Survey what is out there and say what you make of it. A list with no assessment is the usual miss.
Learning outcome 2
Understand how people's behaviour in the workplace affects and shapes culture.
- AC2.1define
Define workplace culture in organisational settings and the importance of fostering positive approaches towards it.
What that asks for: Say what it is, precisely enough to tell it apart from things it is often confused with.
- AC2.2explain
Explain how organisations are whole systems, and how work and actions as a people professional could impact elsewhere in the organisation.
What that asks for: Make it clear how or why something works. Description is enough here — you are not being asked to judge it.
Learning outcome 3
Understand the importance of effective management of change.
- AC3.1explain
Explain the importance of planning and managing change within the workplace.
What that asks for: Make it clear how or why something works. Description is enough here — you are not being asked to judge it.
- AC3.2consider
Consider the importance and role that people professionals play within change.
What that asks for: Weigh it up and say what you make of it. Lighter than evaluate, but still a view rather than a description.
- AC3.3discuss
Discuss how change can impact people in different ways.
What that asks for: Set out more than one view and show how they relate. A one-sided answer is the usual miss.
Learning outcomes and assessment criteria are quoted from the CIPD CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice qualification specification, version 2.3 (February 2026), © CIPD. MarkReady is not a CIPD approved centre and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the CIPD.
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