Course Title: Business Planning

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Business Planning

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BUSM2342

City Campus

Undergraduate

610P BUS Portfolio Office

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006

BUSM2342

City Campus

Undergraduate

610P BUS Portfolio Office

Face-to-Face or Internet

Sem 2 2006

BUSM2342

City Campus

Undergraduate

620H Business IT and Logistics

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013

BUSM2342

City Campus

Undergraduate

630H Management

Face-to-Face

Summer2007,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2009

BUSM2427

City Campus

Postgraduate

610P BUS Portfolio Office

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2006,
Sem 2 2006

BUSM4064

Shanghai Uni of Int Bus & Econ

Undergraduate

620H Business IT and Logistics

Face-to-Face

Offsh 1 11,
Offsh1 12

Course Coordinator: John Odgers

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 5505

Course Coordinator Email: john.odgers@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

In this course you will have the opportunity to create a complete business plan for a new or existing venture. The course is designed to be applicable to all programs and year levels. It is relevant to all professional, social and civic applications. The knowledge and skills developed throughout the course are relevant to all industries and sectors. They are essential in the development and launch of new ventures and the development of existing enterprises.

The course will be particularly useful for you if  you have identified a business opportunity while you have been studying or working. It provides the opportunity for those who wish to test the feasibility of an idea and establish a business plan to guide its evolution into a new venture. It will also provide you with valuable business skills and to see the relevance of the application of these skills to any discipline of study. It is believed that all students undertaking the course will benefit from the opportunity to work in multi- and cross-disciplinary teams and from exposure to the ideas, knowledge and skills of your peers from other faculties, other programs and year-levels.
 

If you are undertaking this course in Melbourne from semester 2, 2012 onwards your teacher will advise you if you require access to a computer for the course. It is recommended that you have access to a mobile computing device to allow greater flexibility in terms of where you can work on campus outside class times.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Contribution of the course to program capabilities:

- General Business Management
- Critical Analysis, Problem Setting and Solving
- Interpersonal and Communication Capabilities
- Teamwork and Leadership Capabilities

Capabilities

The generic and knowledge capabilities developed through this course are comprehensive as the research, development and communication of a business plan may occur in a range of industry or discipline contexts.

Generic capabilities may include:

• Problem diagnosis and problem-solving
• Evidence-based practice
• Responsive and responsible practice
• Socially and environmentally aware practice
• Internationally aware
• Information management
• Communication

Knowledge capabilities may include:

• Dealing with interdependent relationships and managing multiple stakeholders
• Initiating organizational action through the application of research and planning processes and the critical reflection and evaluation of performance
• Working effectively in small teams
• Using statistical data to inform management decision making
• Analysing accounting reports to evaluate business trends
• Analysing market situations and applying appropriate research methodologies
• Forecasting future marketing scenarios
• Forming and communicating business plans
• Applying a variety of analytical tools to solve logistical problems
 


At the conclusion of this course you will have:

• the ability to identify and develop commercially viable ideas and opportunities
• the ability to undertake and critically evaluate market research
• understanding the importance of managing relationships and the ability to develop effective relationships while working in a team environment
• understanding of the inter-dependence of business partnerships and alliances with suppliers, distributors, customers and the broader community
• understanding concepts relating to break-even and the ability to compile financial statements required in evaluating business opportunities
• understanding the underlying principles of managing risk
• understanding the importance of continuing to research, develop and commercialize innovation for the sustainable growth of a business in its industry and community context
• understanding the need, and the ability to protect intellectual property
• understanding the need for, and the ability to develop and implement socially aware, responsible plans that focus on the triple bottom line and sustainability
• appreciation of, and skills in making an effective verbal presentation of a business proposal


Overview of Learning Activities

The teaching and learning activities of this course are characterised by:

• linking the process of business planning to the content and context of the disciplines of your academic program;
• inter-disciplinary co-operation and cross-professional understanding through working in teams and the involvement of industry specialists in workshops;
• building teams which may be cross-disciplinary and cross year-levels;
• the development of business plans to fit social and community needs e.g the development of plans for not-for-profit organisations;
• both oral and written communication skills in developing and producing the business plan;
• providing feedback to peers and reflective practice.
 


Overview of Learning Resources

Written materials may be available via the Learning Hub. There is no prescribed text for this course but you should keep up to date with current financial newspapers, journals and relevant market research.


Overview of Assessment

The assessments for this course may consists of individual and group tasks.