Background to the Strategic Management Development Programme

and the DipPPM Qualification (Optional)

The Diploma in Professional Practice Management [DipPPM] was launched in 2000 as a response to the increasing demands made upon professional practice managers. It followed careful appraisal of the knowledge and skill requirements of managers and the needs of practices. Research reaffirmed that practice managers (estimated to total over 20,000 in the UK) do not receive the recognition that their pivotal role in today’s modern professional practice deserves.

It became clear that the value of learning and developing knowledge has been of immense benefit to the business development of practices. In many cases managers have wanted to undertake a development programme to improve their practice management skills, without seeking a personal qualification. Equally, practice principals can reasonably invest in developing their manager’s business understanding (particularly with the No-Win No-Fee guarantee), whilst the personal qualification can be separated funded.

The programme deliberately emphasises the strategic approach to modern professional practice management. Participants are taken through the operational management activities from the perspective of strategic practice objectives and the overall business plan. This directly responds to pressures coming from busy practice partners and the demands being placed upon them.

Many professional practice managers have now successfully completed the course from across the professional sectors, and the success rate for achieving the Diploma is over 90%. Throughout this period participants have supported the development and refinement of the programme and helped to shape it into the finished product now at the forefront of professional practice management development. Some testimonies from past and current participants are included at the end of this information document, whilst the support and commitment which they freely offer are available to anyone interested in developing their knowledge and skills, and who would wish to follow up on personal recommendations.

The emphasis for the programme is very much upon the holistic approach to the management of professional practice. It builds upon those personal effectiveness and interpersonal skills that may be already partially developed, and tackles issues of strategic leadership and management common to all professional sectors. The programme is aimed at managers in professional practices, and those aspiring to that role, wishing to quickly gain the knowledge and understanding needed to improve their performance directly in the workplace.

A unique feature of the learning programme is the distinctive approach to practical learning, which enables the practice manager to transfer their newly acquired competences directly to the practice. By undertaking the learning events, practice managers build up the diagnostic toolkit that will enable them to establish the aims of their practice, evaluate current management practice, and develop and apply new strategies. The result, a healthier practice and a fitter practice manager!

To provide the underpinning quality The Management School delivers the Diploma qualification as a registered provider of the Institute of Leadership and Management, as an endorsed award. ILM, as a part of the City and Guilds group, is a national awarding body for management qualifications.

The Certificate in Professional Practice Management [CertPPM] is available to provide the basic business and management skills for those aspiring to, or new to a Professional Practice Management role. It is very much aimed at the operational aspects of management around the day-to-day supervision of practice staff. For those who may already have hands-on experience, but who have little or no management training, this slightly lower level course may be a good place to begin a qualification journey.

Fundamental Principles inherent in this learning programme:

• Whilst learning and development are very much about personal ambition they are undoubtedly best achieved in partnership - a partnership between the participant, their practice and the provider of the learning.
   
• Any journey identifies a starting point and a destination. All participants are supported in establishing a learning and development plan from the outset that focuses on recognising their existing knowledge and skills, along with awareness of the needs of their practice.
   
• The prime objective at all levels of the programme is the development of knowledge and skills that are practical, useful and immediately transferable to the workplace.
   
• The learning process has many components, principally the establishment of individual learning objectives, taking every opportunity to learn and gain new knowledge, and the development of new practical skills in the workplace which are underpinned by that knowledge and learning.
   
• Regular review and evaluation of the learning and development process is essential.
   
• A comprehensive list of the specifications of each programme and full details of what you are required to achieve is available and explained at the outset.

Help and Advice:

The most important pre-requisite for undertaking any learning development programme is that it is appropriate to the individual, their development needs, and their practice. We are happy to provide any level of 1-to-1 support to individuals and their practices, to begin that mutual support process.

Before embarking on the course we would urge you to take every opportunity to discuss your circumstances – including any previous management development or qualifications (by no means essential!), your current role and responsibilities, your preferred style of learning, and your time availability for study in a busy work environment.

Enrolment information and Assessment methods