Course Title: Develop a transport and logistics business plan

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2020

Course Code: BUSM8003C

Course Title: Develop a transport and logistics business plan

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5369 - Diploma of Logistics

Course Contact: Sam Menai

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 8805

Course Contact Email: sam.menai@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

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 Australian and international regulatory requirements, standards, codes of practice 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.

Work is under general guidance on progress and outcomes. It requires discretion and judgement for self and others in planning and using resources, services and processes to achieve required outcomes.

The unit generally applies to those with responsibility for resource coordination and allocation, and who lead individuals or teams.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

TLIP5004 Develop a transport and logistics business plan

Element:

1 Conduct a situational and market analysis

Performance Criteria:

1.1         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         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

Organisational capability in terms of technology, research, development and tools is outlined

2.3

Current resources and resources that may be accessed to meet identified opportunities for business operations are evaluated

2.4

Developments in technology predicted within the lifetime of the business plan are evaluated and analysed

2.5

Organisational capability 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 for 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

Business plan, including performance indicators, is finalised in accordance with enterprise requirements and is 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 areas of specialisation are detailed and implemented

4.3

Organisational performance in relation to identified performance indicators is regularly monitored and reviewed


Learning Outcomes


This course is structured to provide students with the optimum learning experience in order to demonstrate 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 Australian and international regulatory requirements, standards, codes of practice and workplace procedures.


Details of Learning Activities

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

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

We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.


Teaching Schedule

This course summary of the learning structure,  will help students check that they are on-track.  
       
COURSE SCHEDULE    
       
Course Schedule: Develop and Evaluate Strategies for Transport and Logistics Enterprises                                  Semester 1, 2020  
       
  Topic Readings and Activities Assessment
Week 1 Introduction to Strategies Reading: COURSE INTRODUCTION WORD DOCUMENT  
10.02.2020   Activity: Research Enterprises and the Transport and Logistics 
       
Week 2 Logistics & Transport Strategies Reading: Course Workbook  
17.02.2020   Activity: Research for Assessment 1  
       
Week 3 Developing Research Skills & Competitive Advantage Examples of Strategic Planning Success: Reading Course Workbook  
24.02.2020   Activity: Research for Assessment 1  
       
  Planning and Managing CHANGE Reading: Course Workbook & RMIT Study Guides Assessment 1: Quiz Research Sector Profile 
Week 4   Activity: Research for Assessment 1  
02.03.2020      
  External Environment Reading: Course Workbook & RMIT Study Guides  
Week 5   Activity: Research for Assessment 2  
09.03.2020      
  Legislation & Regulation Reading: Course Workbook & RMIT Study Guides  
Week 6   Activity: Research for Assessment 2  
16.03.2020      
    Reading: Course Workbook & RMIT Study Guides  
Week 7 Internal Environment Activity: Research for Assessment 2  
23.03.2020      
    Reading: Course Workbook & RMIT Study Guides  
Week 8 SWOT - Business Process Mapping Activity: Research for Assessment 2  
30.03.2020      
       
Mid Semester Break Break Break Break
9-15.04.2020      
    Complete and Submit Assessment 2 at end of this week Assessment 2 Due
Week 9 Benchmarking and Best Practice Reading : Articles on Benchmarking and Best Practice  

13.04.2020 

class resume 16.03.2020

      
    Activity: Course lifecycles  
Week 10 Performance Measurement Reading : Articles on Performance Measurement  
20.04.2020      
    Activity: Tips and tricks showcase  
Week 11 Project Management & Time Mgmt Tools Reading : Articles on Project Management & Time Mgmt Tools
27.04.2020      
    Activity: Course schedule project: Getting started  
Week 12 Change Management Reading : Articles on Change Management  
04.05.2020      
    Activity: Course schedule project: Development  
Week 13 Writing Business Reports Reading : Advisory on Writing Business Reports and practice
11.05.2020      
    Activity: Course schedule project: Finalising  
Week 14 Transport and Logistics Environment Reading : Articles on Transport and Logistics Environment
18.05.2020      
       
Week 15 Logistics Future Strategies Reading : Articles on Transport and Logistics Future Strategies  
25.05.2020   Complete and Submit Assessment 3 at end of this week Assessment 3 Due
    Await Assessment 'complete' confirmation - otherwise re-submit
Week 16 Business Report Writing    
01.06.2020    Resubmissions and  feedback  
Week 17      
08.06.2020   Final Resubmissions and  feedback  

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Methods

Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of the requirements in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks, for example:

  • direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
  • review of final printed documents
  • demonstration of techniques
  • observation of presentations
  • oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of software applications

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Performance  Evidence

You will be required to provide evidence of the following skills:

  • adapting to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures
  • applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures
  • communicating effectively with others when developing a transport and logistics business plan
  • completing documentation related to work activities and the development of a transport and logistics business plan
  • modifying activities to cater for variations in workplace contexts and environment
  • monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule
  • operating electronic communications equipment to required protocol
  • planning and organising business systems and activities
  • prioritising work and coordinating self and others in relation to workplace activities
  • providing leadership and working collaboratively with others when developing a transport and logistics business plan
  • reading and interpreting business and market data, regulatory requirements and other planning information relevant to the development of a transport and logistics business plan
  • reporting and/or rectifying identified problems promptly, in accordance with workplace procedures
  • selecting and applying appropriate technology, information systems and procedures
  • working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment.

Knowledge Evidence

You are required to provide evidence of the following:

  • application of current competencies within functional activity
  • application of relevant Australian and international standards and associated certification requirements
  • Australian and international regulations, codes of practice and legislative requirements relevant to business operations
  • equipment applications, capacities, configurations, safety hazards and control
  • operational competitor and internal business systems, resources, management and workplace operating systems
  • hazards that may exist in the operation of a transport and logistics business, and ways of controlling the risks involved
  • market and other external environmental factors including the regulatory environment
  • organisational strengths and weaknesses including the competencies of individuals in the team/group
  • problems that may occur during the development of a transport and logistics business plan, and action that can be taken to report or resolve these problems
  • relevant workplace documentation procedures
  • resource availability including the competencies of individuals in the team/group
  • workplace processes for developing a transport and logistics business plan.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions. You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.


Assessment Tasks

You are required to complete  all three assessments tasks.  You must successfully complete all  three  tasks to be deemed competent in this course. 

Assessment Task 1 – Conduct a Situational Analysis based on a logistics business
Date and time due:  Week 4
Group or Individual: individual

Purpose:

Students will undertake a Situational Analysis of a company - be that a Transport or Logistics company or focus one with a significant logistics or transport operation as part of their business. Students will begin by identifying all products, services and markets that are to be covered.

 

Assessment Task 2 –  Conduct an Analysis of the Organisational Environment on a logistics business 

Date and time due:   Week 8
Group or Individual: Group

 

Purpose:

Students will undertake an analysis of a company -(be that a Transport or Logistics company or focus one with a significant logistics or transport operation as part of their business), with respect to their internal operations and environment. Students will begin by identifying all key internal processes and data on the size of workforce

 

Assessment Task 3 - Write Transport and Logistics Business Plan 

Date and time due:  Written Submission: - Week 15 
Group or Individual: Group 

 

Purpose:

Students will undertake an analysis of a company -(be that a Transport or Logistics company or focus one with a significant logistics or transport operation as part of their business), with respect to their internal operations and environment. Students will begin by identifying all key internal processes and data on the size of workforce, company facilities and capabilities.


Assessment Matrix

For these  assessment tasks you need to draw upon what you have learned throughout the unit.

 

Assessment Matrix

 

The assessment matrix that maps all the assessment is available on CANVAS.Develop a Transport and Logistics Business Plan

 

Submission Requirements

 

You should: 

  • Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date. 
  • 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 the Assessment task document that includes a declaration and statement of authorship.
  • 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.

 

Late Submission Procedures

You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.

 

More Information:  https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work

 

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for Special Consideration.  Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.

 

More Information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration

 

Resubmissions
If you are found to be unsuccessful in a particular Course Assessment Task (or you do not submit/attend) you will be allowed one resubmission.  Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. 

If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Adjustments to Assessment
In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website:

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/adjustments-to-assessment

 

Marking Guide (Competency):
You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.

 

You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview