Course Title: Manage a small team

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2012

Course Code: BUSM6444C

Course Title: Manage a small team

School: 130T Vocational Engineering

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4298 - Certificate IV in Telecommunications Networks Technology

Course Contact: Program Manager

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4468

Course Contact Email: engineering-tafe@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Eddie Vanda
Telephone: +613 9925 4456
Email: eddie.vanda@rmit.edu.au

Kenneth Falzon
Telephone: +613 9925 4716
Email: kenneth.falzon@rmit.edu.au

Noor Sateh
Telephone: +613 9925 4013
Email: noor.sateh@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 40

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 describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan for the management of and to manage staff. It involves industrial relations, staff selection, staff records, induction, training, team development and career planning to enhance business operations through retaining a competent, committed and motivated team in the workplace.

Specific legal requirements apply to the management of a small business.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBSMB407A Manage a small team

Element:

1.Develop staffing plan

Performance Criteria:

1.1.Determine staffing requirements to allow the business to run effectively, in accordance with the business requirements as outlined in the business plan
1.2.Identify and compare the existing skills/competencies of owner/s and staff with business requirements to identify any gaps
1.3.Develop policies and procedures for owner/s and staff, in accordance with the business plan

Element:

2.Recruit, induct, train and retain the team

Performance Criteria:

2.1.Develop job/position descriptions, competencies required and selection criteria to meet the needs of the business
2.2.Judge information obtained from each candidate against specified selection criteria and decide selection in accordance with business needs and legal requirements
2.3.Induct new staff members in accordance with the policies and procedures of the business
2.4.Make team members aware of their responsibilities and performance requirements as soon as practicable and take opportunities to coach team members who are unfamiliar with the procedures of the business
2.5.Develop and implement a staff development program and career paths based on the requirements of business and staff competencies
2.6.Advertise staff vacancies appropriately in accordance with staffing plan

Element:

3.Comply with INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS obligations

Performance Criteria:

3.1.Clarify workplace rights and obligations of employers and employees, in accordance with legal requirements and codes of practice
3.2.Counsel staff, if required, in a positive and constructive manner and record outcomes accurately

Element:

4.Maintain staff records

Performance Criteria:

4.1.Develop staff records system to provide timely and accurate information, in accordance with confidentiality, legal and taxation requirements
4.2.Monitor and accurately maintain the system for recording and retrieving personnel and payroll information and seek specialist advice where required

Element:

5.Manage staff

Performance Criteria:

5.1.Regularly review contribution and skills of self and other team members to ensure performance is in line with agreed performance measures
5.2.Monitor and adjust staffing requirements to respond to any changes in tasks and functions required by the business
5.3.Support and encourage staff, and acknowledge and reward their contribution to the business
5.4.Regularly provide opportunities for staff to discuss work related issues
5.5.Develop contingency plans to cope with unexpected or extreme situations and take appropriate corrective action as required

Element:

6.Review team performance

Performance Criteria:

6.1.Develop positive and constructive relationships with and between team members
6.2.Review and update team objectives in support of business goals on a regular basis in consultation with team members
6.3.Identify strengths and weaknesses of team against current and expected work requirements
6.4.Schedule time, on a regular basis, for team members to review work operations in order to maintain and improve operational efficiency
6.5.Encourage team members to monitor their own performance, suggest improvements and to identify professional development needs, in accordance with personal and business requirements
6.6.Monitor and review staff turnover rate


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Students will participate in a variety of teaching methods including: lectures, class discussion, role-plays, group/individual work on projects, audio-visual presentations, on-line resources and interaction with individuals and groups from within the telecommunications industry.


Teaching Schedule

Week 1: Introduction and overview of Course. Introduction to organisations and management.
Week 2: Understanding business plans. Skills requirements for a business/project. Introduction to Assignment 1.
Week 3: Assessing staff skills and competencies and comparing with business requirements.
Week 4: Developing and applying organisational policy and procedures.
Week 5: Understanding employer/employee rights and obligations under workplace laws.
Week 6: Developing a position description and advertising for new staff.
Week 7: Applicant evaluation and selection.
Week 8: Inducting new staff in accordance with organisational and regulatory requirements. Introduction to Assignment 2.
Week 9: Identifying professional development needs.
Week 10: Developing a training plan.
Week 11: Establishing measures of staff performance in line with business objectives. Introduction to Assignment 3.
Week 12: Developing effective feedback and improvement systems. Conducting performance reviews.
Week 13: Councelling staff and managing conflict resolution
Week 14: Developing contingency plans.
Week 15: Managing staff records in accordance with organsiational, legal and taxation requirements. Introduction to Assignment 4.
Week 16: Monitoring and adjusting responsibilties and performance expectations according to changing business requirements.
Week 17: Monitoring team capabilities against current and expected objectives.
Week 18: Motivating others to self-manage and improve. Monitor and review staff turnover.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Student Workbook. BSBSMB407A Manage a small team. Second edition. 2010. IBSA.

On-line resources. Addresses to relevent websites will be given to students.


Overview of Assessment

The assessment is conducted in both theoretical and practical aspects of the course according to the performance criteria set in the National Training Package. Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including written/oral activities and demonstration of practical skills to the relevant industry standards.  Feedback will be provided throughout the course.

To successfully complete this course you will be required to demonstrate competency in each assessment task detailed under Assessment Tasks section of Course Guide Part B.


Assessment Tasks

You are required to complete the following FOUR assessment tasks:

1. Assignment 1. Develop a staffing plan and select staff.   Start: Week 2      Due: Week 8
2. Assignment 2. Train the team.                                               Start: Week 8      Due: Week 10
3. Assignment 3. Manage the team.                                          Start: Week 11    Due: Week 15 
4. Assignment 4. Review the team.                                           Start: Week 16    Due: Week 18


All assessment tasks need to be successfully completed to demonstrate competence.

Your assessment for this course will be marked using the following table:

CA Competency Achieved
NYC Not yet Competent
DNS Did not Submit


Assessment Matrix

   

Assessment  Task Element
Assignment 1. Develop a staffing plan and select staff Element 1. Develop staffing plan
Element 2. Recruit, induct, train and retain the team
Element 3. Comply with industrial relations obligations
Element 4. Maintain staff records
Assignment 2. Train the team Element 1. Develop staffing plan
Element 2. Recruit, induct, train and retain the team
Assignment 3. Manage the team

Element 3. Comply with industrial relations obligations
Element 4. Maintain staff records
Element 5. Manage staff
Element 6. Review staff performance

Assignment 4. Review the team

Element 5. Manage staff
Element 6. Review staff performance

Other Information

Study and learning Support:

Study and Learning Centre (SLC) provides free learning and academic development advice to all RMIT students.
Services offered by SLC to support numeracy and literacy skills of the students are:
- Assignment writing, thesis writing and study skills advice
- Maths and science developmental support and advice
- English language development

Please refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre to find more information about Study and Learning Support.

Disability Liaison Unit:

Students with disability or long-term medical condition should contact Disability Liaison Unit to seek advice and support to complete their studies.
Please refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/disability to find more information about services offered by Disability Liaison Unit.

Late submission:

Students requiring extensions for 7 calendar days or less (from the original due date) must complete and lodge an Application for Extension of Submittable Work (7 Calendar Days or less) form and lodge it with the Senior Educator/ Program Manager.
The application must be lodged no later than one working day before the official due date. The student will be notified within no more than 2 working days of the date of lodgment as to whether the extension has been granted.

Students seeking an extension of more than 7 calendar days (from the original due date) must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form under the provisions of the Special Consideration Policy, preferably prior to, but no later than 2 working days after the official due date.

Assignments submitted late without approval of an extension will not be accepted or marked.


Special consideration:

Please refer http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=riderwtscifm to find more information about special consideration.
 
Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is a form of cheating and it is very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University.

Please refer: www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity to find more information about plagiarism.

Email Communication:

All email communications will be sent to your RMIT email address and you must regularly check your RMIT emails. 

Student Directed Hours

* In this course, minimum student directed hours are 6 in addition to 34 scheduled teaching hours.
* Student directed hours involve completing activities such as reading online resources, individual student-teacher course-related consultation and assignments.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview