Course Title: Develop and implement a business plan

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: BUSM6247C

Course Title: Develop and implement a business plan

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6116 - Advanced Diploma of Advertising

Course Contact : Sally Parrott

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5175

Course Contact Email:sally.parrott@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Katie Crandon
Ph: +61 3 9925 5486
Email: katie.crandon@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit applies to individuals who are running an organisation or who take a senior role in determining the effective functioning and success of the organisation. As such, they may oversee the work of a number of teams and other managers.

Business plans are critical tools for business growth and development. They will vary depending on the needs of the organisation. This unit covers the typical elements of a business plan and the standard approaches to be used in implementing a business plan. 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBMGT617A Develop and implement a business plan

Element:

1. Develop a business plan

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Review and evaluate pre-existing strategic, business and operational plan, if available
1.2. Analyse and interpret business vision, mission, values and objectives
1.3. Consult with key stakeholders
1.4. Review market requirements for the product or service, profile customer needs and research pricing options
1.5. Develop performance objectives and measures through consultation with key stakeholders
1.6. Identify financial, human and physical resource requirements for the business
1.7. Consider any permits or licences that may be required for new activity
1.8. Write business plan
 

Element:

2. Monitor performance

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Communicate business plan to all relevant parties and ensure understanding of performance requirements and timeframes
2.2. Ensure skilled labour is available to implement plan
2.3. Test performance measurement systems and refine, if necessary
2.4. Ensure timely reports on all key aspects of the business are available, user-friendly and balanced in terms of financial and non-financial performance
2.5. Report system failures, product failures and variances to the business plan as they occur
 

Element:

3. Respond to performance data

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Analyse performance reports against planned objectives
3.2 Review performance indicators and refine if necessary
3.3 Ensure groups and individuals contributing to under-performance are coached, and provide training where appropriate
3.4 Review system processes and work methods regularly as part of continuous improvement
 


Learning Outcomes


This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to run a business operation and covers the steps required to develop and implement a business plan.


Details of Learning Activities

This course is structured to provide students with the optimum learning experience. Students will participate in a combination of group and individual learning activities. These activities will be provided through a combination of face to face teacher/student deliveries plus classroom work time. Additional learning activities will also be provided to students to complete outside of timetabled time.


Teaching Schedule

Week Week Commencing Topics Assessment
1 9/2/15 (1) Course Induction
• Course delivery and assessment details
• Assessment details and assessment task and feedback guide (including
Grading, Plagiarism, Appeals, Extensions, Feedback, Privacy, Submission requirements, Resubmission policy, Online learning environment, Where to get support – Student study support)
Pre-Training Review
• Conduct an LLN skills analysis- one per student
• Explain Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfers (for new students)
Student checklist
Handout checklist and get each student to sign and hand back. Includes: student responsibilities (ie: must check emails and bb shells weekly). Program map to confirm all students enrolled correctly.

Introduction to writing Business Plan
Business Idea discussion/ idea generation
Assessment 1 – Template provided / Business Plan Overview
Guest Speaker - Library Services
 

 
2 16/2/15 The Business Proposal
Business Concept Discussion
 
 
3 23/2/15 Marketing Plan - Part A Assessment 1
4 2/3/15 Marketing Plan - Part B  
5 9/3/15 Marketing Plan - Part C  
6 16/3/15 Marketing Plan - Part D  
7 23/3/15 Legal Essentials for Business Assessment 2
8 30/3/15 Interactive Workshop  
9 13/4/15 Financial Planning - Part A  
10 20/4/15 Financial Planning - Part B  
11 27/4/15 Operational Requirements  
12 4/5/15 Interactive Workshop Assessment 3
13 11/5/15

Business Development

CV Writing

 
14 18/5/15 In Class Verbal Presentations Assessment 4
15 25/5/15 In Class Verbal Presentations Assessment 4
16 1/6/15 Resubmissions & Feedback  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

There is no additional text for this subject.


Overview of Assessment

Students must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of a particular competency to be deemed competent. Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.

Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including assignments, journals, presentation and written or test. Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.
 


Assessment Tasks

Assessment in the course will be individual project-based and focus on either a real or virtual small business concept/idea of the student’s choice. The business idea can be product based (eg app) or service based (eg freelance graphic designer, account service). Students are encouraged to choose a business idea that reflects their career direction. The student’s skills and knowledge will be assessed progressively using short skill-based assessment tasks. Students will be required to develop a business plan that is divided across four assessment tasks, Part A, Part B, and Part C. The final assessment Part D will require the student to deliver a presentation on their business idea and reflections of their learnings. Students are required to complete 4 assessment tasks. All tasks must successfully be completed to be deemed competent in this unit. The Business plan shell template will be provided to students. The assessment tasks will be divided across a 16 week semester to allow students to receive feedback and direction of their business idea as they progress through sections and to allow for concept adjustments where applicable. At the end of the course the students will have a complete working Business plan which can be utilised for future career opportunities.

Assessment Tasks

Task 1 –Business Plan – Part A – The Business Proposal – Week 3:

Students will be required to submit a written business proposal (using the template supplied ) which will be an overview of their business idea. The proposal will indicate the feasibility of the idea, the potential income streams, business objectives, structure and licensing requirements, the market available and the financial viability. The proposal document is to be submitted electronically via Blackboard.

Task 2 – Business Plan – Part B  – The Marketing Plan – Week 6

Students will be required to submit a marketing plan based on their business idea. The marketing plan will cover elements of market research, SWOT analysis, market segmentation, competitive analysis, positioning, marketing mix, and promotional plan. The proposal document is to be submitted electronically via Blackboard.

Task 3 – Business Plan – Part C  – Financials & Operations – Week 12

Students will be required to submit a financial and operational plan based on their business idea. The financial and operational plan will cover the following elements; estimating revenue relevant to the proposed business idea, estimate expenditure, business start up costs, complete cash flow statements and projections and determining business start-up costs. Operational components will include operational requirements, strategies for increased demand, systems for monitoring key performance areas, business development and industry networks.

 Task 4 – Business Plan – Part D – Verbal Presentation – Week 14, 15

Students will be required to present an overview of their business plan highlighting their findings and reflections. Key elements to cover will be an overview of business idea, marketing, financials, operations and business development and reflection. Students are required to submit an electronic copy of their visual presentation via Blackboard in Week 14 prior to presenting. 
 

More detailed assessment sheets for each assessment task will be disseminated throughout course delivery.

Submission Requirements:

Format:
Work to be saved in a word doc or .pdf and uploaded to the assessment tab in your course blackboard shell by required date. Work sent by email will not be marked.
Work submitted after the deadline and without one of the forms below will not be accepted or marked.
Assessment deadline extensions:
Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date. If you think you might not make the due date due to circumstances beyond your control, you must apply for an application of extension time BEFORE the due date:
You can apply for an extension of seven or fewer days from the original due date for submission of assignments, projects, or essays. You must lodge it no later than one working day before the original submission due date. See link below for eligibility criteria and forms.
If your performance in the assessment is affected by unexpected circumstances, you should consider applying for Special Consideration. Information on the process and application forms for extension time and special consideration can be found at: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ls0ydfokry9rz.

Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks (hard copy and soft copy).
When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. Cover sheets for submission of work is available from the Student forms website.

Resubmission
It is the student’s responsibility to check their results and complete resubmissions by deadline set (usually within 2 weeks of receiving feedback/results). Students are entitled to one re-submission per assessment. All resubmissions will be marked to competent or non-competent only, no grades will be given. All resubmissions must be received by week 16
 


Assessment Matrix

Full details on how this course is assessed against the Unit elements and performance criteria plus critical aspects of evidence can be found in the Learning and Assessment Tool available from your course teacher.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview