Evidence-based practice
Making decisions you can defend — the tools, the data, the ethics, and how to show the value of what people practice did.
Level 5 People Management · 10 assessment criteria
Learning outcome 1
Understand strategies for effective critical thinking and decision-making.
- AC1.1evaluate
Evaluate the concept of evidence-based practice including how it can be applied to decision-making in people practice.
What that asks for: Weigh it up and reach a judgement. Both sides, then a position — an answer with no verdict does not meet this.
- AC1.2evaluate
Evaluate a range of analysis tools and methods including how they can be applied to diagnose organisational issues, challenges and opportunities.
What that asks for: Weigh it up and reach a judgement. Both sides, then a position — an answer with no verdict does not meet this.
- AC1.3explain
Explain the principles of critical thinking including how you apply these to your own and others' ideas.
What that asks for: Make it clear how or why something works. Description is enough here — you are not being asked to judge it.
- AC1.4explain
Explain a range of decision-making processes.
What that asks for: Make it clear how or why something works. Description is enough here — you are not being asked to judge it.
- AC1.5assess
Assess how different ethical perspectives can influence decision-making.
What that asks for: Judge the significance or extent of something. Close to evaluate, but the emphasis is on how much it matters.
Learning outcome 2
Understand the importance of decision-making strategies to solve people practice issues.
- AC2.1interpret
With reference to a people practice issue, interpret analytical data using appropriate analysis tools and methods.
What that asks for: Say what the data means, not what it says. Trends, causes, what follows.
- AC2.2present
Present key findings for stakeholders from people practice activities and initiatives.
What that asks for: Produce it in a form a stakeholder could use. Format is part of the criterion.
- AC2.3make
Make justified recommendations based on evaluation of the benefits, risks and financial implications of potential solutions.
What that asks for: Produce the thing itself. “Make justified recommendations” wants the recommendations on the page, each with its reason — not an account of what a good recommendation would contain.
Learning outcome 3
Be able to measure the impact and value of people practice to the organisation.
- AC3.1appraise
Appraise different ways organisations measure financial and non-financial performance.
What that asks for: Judge the value or quality of something, with reasons. Your view has to be visible.
- AC3.2explain
Explain how to measure the impact and value of people practice using a variety of methods.
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 outcomes and assessment criteria are quoted from the CIPD CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management qualification specification, version 2.6 (February 2026), © CIPD. MarkReady is not a CIPD approved centre and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the CIPD.
- 5CO01Organisational performance and culture in practice
- 5CO03Professional behaviours and valuing people
- 5HR01Employment relationship management
- 5HR02Talent management and workforce planning
- 5HR03Reward for performance and contribution
- 5OS01Specialist employment law
- 5OS02Advances in digital learning and development
- 5OS03Learning and development essentials
- 5OS04People management in an international context
- 5OS05Equality, diversity and inclusion
- 5OS06Leadership and management development
- 5OS07Wellbeing at work
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