Course Title: Develop a transport and logistics business plan

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

Course Code: BUSM7819C

Course Title: Develop a transport and logistics business plan

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5302 - Diploma of Logistics

Course Contact : Tim Wallis

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5423

Course Contact Email:timothy.wallis@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

David Graham
Phone: 03 99251550
e-mail: david.graham@rmit.edu.au
 

Nominal Hours: 150

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 involves the skills and knowledge required to develop a business plan for an organisation or a discrete business unit in the transport and logistics industry in accordance with relevant regulatory requirements and workplace procedures. This includes conducting a situational and market analysis, analysing the organisational environment, developing appropriate strategies, and implementing and evaluating the resulting business plan. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

TLIP5004A Develop a transport and logistics business plan

Element:

1 Conduct a situational and market analysis

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The transport and logistics business’s principal services, markets, products and the factors that distinguish the business and contribute to its success are identified
1.2 The transport and logistics business/operating environment is defined and reviewed using information from staff members, customer feedback and external sources
1.3 Qualitative and quantitative market analysis data is documented
1.4 Target markets and relevant regulatory requirements are identified
1.5 Impact of transport and logistics business on market is recorded and projected change in market and/or services during the life of the plan is projected
1.6 Competitors, customer perceptions and market share of existing competitors operating in the transport and logistics industry are identified
1.7 Proposed business focus on specific target markets, pricing, sales and appeals are defined
1.8 Potential profitable opportunities are identified and documented
 

Element:

2 Analyse organisational environment

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Current transport and logistics business operations, practices, work flow, equipment and facilities are analysed
2.2 Capability of the organisation in terms of technology, research, development and tools is outlined
2.3 Current resources and any resources that may be accessed to meet identified opportunities for business operations are evaluated
2.4 Developments in technologies predicted within the lifetime of the business plan are evaluated and analysed
2.5 Capability of the organisation in terms of staff, equipment, facilities, operational systems and financial status are assessed for strengths and weaknesses
2.6 Costs of making operational adjustments in relation to existing and new business to influence improved profitability and positioning are reviewed
2.7 Premises for decisions are documented, potential circumstances which may alter the environment are identified and contingency provisions are made
 

Element:

3 Develop strategies

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Benchmark goals are documented and checked for realism in terms of internal and external environmental factors
3.2 Decisions and adjustments regarding resource allocation to various products and services are made, based on external and internal analyses
3.3 Organisational adjustments are documented and implementation strategies are established
3.4 Projections of profit and loss or income statements per quarter until break-even point are constructed for the whole organisation and each cost centre
3.5 A finalised business plan including performance indicators is prepared in accordance with enterprise requirements and circulated to stakeholders
3.6 Questions and feedback from stakeholders are responded to promptly and, where appropriate, incorporated into the plan
 

Element:

4 Implement and evaluate business plan

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Implementation plans for the management of workplaces, staff, business operation and operational systems are monitored and, where required, adjustments to the plans are made
4.2 Current and future marketing strategies and any areas of specialisation are detailed and implemented
4.3 Performance of the organisation in relation to the identified


Learning Outcomes


Students will develop the skills and knowledge required to develop a business plan for an organisation or a discrete business unit in the transport and logistics industry.


Details of Learning Activities

A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative class room based activities.

The self-based activities will be delivered through various technology platforms and will include student contribution to wikis and discussion threads, reflective journals, quizzes and interactive sessions.

The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice skills in a simulated workplace environment.

Students will study concepts and applications pertaining to develop operational procedures in class sessions, using tutorial and prescribed exercises and assessment work. These concepts will also be explored through the investigation and analysis of appropriate real world and simulated environments


Teaching Schedule

 Week 1. 11th Feb
Pre-training review:
• RPL
• Articulation
• LLN
Familiarisation with:
• Program
• Services/facilities
• Other students
• Teacher(s)
• Where to get support
• Student responsibilities
• Course requirements
• Course support documents
• Pre-reading
• Blackboard
• Overview of assessment
requirements
• Grading
• Plagiarism
• Appeals
• Extensions
• Feedback
• Privacy
• Submission requirements
• Resubmission policy
Week 2 - 18th Feb Situational Analysis Planning, Framework and Information pages 11- 14
           3 - 25th Feb Information analysis, The marketing plan and principles pages 15 - 17
           4 - 4th March Initial Purpose and Mission page 18 Course evaluation assessment 20% – Individual Open book 
           5 - 11th March Product Analysis, Distributor and Competitor financial analysis pages 19 - 21
           6 - 18th March Environment and Summarry page 22 (group presentation overview) 
           7 - 25th March Marketing strategy and objectives pages 23 - 24
Mid Semester Break 28th March to 3rd April (work on group presentation to be delivered week 9)
           7 - 1st April Easter Monday
          2nd April Easter Tuesday
          4th April Classes Resume
          8 - 8th April Marketing, Product and Promotion tactics, pages 25 - 28(Group presentation discussion on format)
          9 - 15th April Distribution, Pricing other tactics pages 29 - 30 (Group presentation - 35% (Delivery by all groups)
         10 - 22nd April Anzac Day 25th April
         11 - 29th AprilBudgeting, Performance and Implementation pages 31 - 33 and written report activities
         12 - 6th May Production plannin JIT, Job analysis 34 - 39 and written report activities
         13 - 13th May Deliverables and Milestones pages 42 - 46 (PDCA ) and written report activities
         14 - 20th May Quality Management and Six Sigma pages 48 - 52 and discussion re written report progress.
         15 - 27th May In Class facilitation and assessment (45%) 3 written report hand in
         16 - 3rd June In Class facilitation and final hand in of written report
         17 - 10th June Result Finalisation, No classes
Queen’s Birthday (Monday) 10th June
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

On line PowerPoint presentations and learning materials (information for access to be provided week 1)


Overview of Assessment

Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including in-class exercises, problem-solving exercises, assignments, group or individual projects, presentations and written or practical tests, as well as homework activities.

Other activities may be workplace-based or simulate work practices. These may include the production of technical requirements documents, direct observation of workplace practices and the presentation of a portfolio of evidence. This portfolio may include documents, photographs, video and/or audio files.

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. Students will be provided with feedback throughout the course to check their progress.


Assessment Tasks

• Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
• Practical assessment must occur:
• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace
 

Critical aspects of assessment

The critical aspects of assessment are:
• Validity – the assessment tool is designed and implemented so that it measures performance accurately and precisely
• Reliability – the assessment tool is designed and implemented so that the measurements received are consistent over a period of time or a number of assessment events
• Fairness – the assessment tool is designed and implemented so that it is non-discriminatory and unambiguous
• Flexibility – the assessment tool is designed to allow for its application in a range of different contexts and conditions, and uses a range of methodologies.

Assessment Schedule

Assessment One  -  Open Book Test (20%)

Assessment Two  -  Group Presentation (35%)

Assessment Three - Written Report (45%)

 For details see Assessment Matrix

Submission Requirements

Assessment tasks must be submitted via Blackboard.

You should:

• Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date. 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 is available at http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ls0ydfokry9rz website.
• 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. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of work for assessment is available on blackboard.
• Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2, BUSM7819C Develop a transport and logistics business plan, Page 1 of 10.


Marking Guide (competency):
Vocational Education and Training (VET) is based on current industry needs and the focus on preparing you for the workplace. Because VET courses are informed by practical application of knowledge and skills, they are based on a system known as ‘competency based training’ (CBT). So when you are assessed in VET it is about whether you are competent to do the job, as well as having a firm grasp on the knowledge and skills required to do that job, as opposed to traditional curriculum based education settings that are often based on knowledge retention.

You need to demonstrate you are competent in each element of the unit of competency you are studying.

You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you whether you are competent or not and how well you are performing. Once competent in all elements of the unit you receive a competency grading.

Please refer to the Final Grades table below.

Marking Guide (Grading)
After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit; this gives you the opportunity to have the level of your performance formally recognized against industry standards and employability skills.


The grading is according to the following criteria:


1. LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE, INITIATIVE, ENTERPRISE AND PERFORMANCE OF WORK TASK

We are looking for a high level of ability to complete all tasks independently as per the specifications as well as demonstrating a high level of initiative in your approach to the task

2. DEMONSTRATED BREADTH OF UNDERPINNING KNOWLEDGE AND A WILLINGNESS TO CONTINUE LEARNING

We are looking for depth of understanding of the key concepts and knowledge required in the assessments system. You should be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of all requirements in all the assessment tasks.

3. TECHNIQUES & PROCESSES, TECHNOLOGY SKILLS AND PROBLEM SOLVING

We are looking for appropriate use of technology to assist in presenting all tasks clearly and suitable for the intended audience. You also need to show an understanding of the kinds of problems that can arise in managing pertinent issues and how these might be addressed.

4. WORK ORGANISATION, PLANNING AND SELF MANAGEMENT

If required by the teacher we would expect to see ongoing uploading of information into Pebble Pad that is relevant to the unit, full utilisation of Pebble Pad and Blackboard as per course requirements and timely submission of all required assessment tasks.


5. COMMUNICATION, PEOPLE NETWORKING, LANGUAGE AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND TEAMWORK

We expect to see contributions to relevant discussions and scheduled Collaborate sessions. In addition your tasks should demonstrate a very good understanding of strategies for a collaborative approach to management issues in the workplace.

Final Grades table:

CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.


 


Assessment Matrix

Assessment 1 - Open Book test (20%)
Evaluation by open book of key learning and understanding from previous weeks
 

Assessment 2 - Group presentation (35%)
A group presentation to the class on the project you have identified for your final written report.
The project will be based on a simulated /real workplace issue and your proposals for overcoming problems identified and how your outcomes and proposals relate to the business and learning material.
The presentation can be by Powerpoint, Handouts or other agreed methods.
 

Assessment 3 - Written report (45%)
Written report using business writing format/methodology relevant to subject matter
Min 1500 words
 

This subject assessment can be conjoined with Transport & Logistics Enterprises (BUSM 7818C) Course ID 047266 (Discuss with Teacher)

 

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.

Other Information

This subject assessment can be conjoined with Transport & Logistics Enterprises (BUSM 7818C) Course ID 047266 (Discuss with Teacher)

The total number of scheduled hours of teaching, learning and assessment involved in this course includes all planned activities including face to face classes, lectures. Workshops and seminars; workplace visits, on line learning and other forms of structured teaching and learning. The total scheduled hours also covers the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including observation of work performance, discussions with supervisors and others providing third party evidence and one on one and group assessment sessions with students.

Regardless of the mode of delivery, it represents a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete a particular competency/module. This may include the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.


 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview