Course Title: Develop and implement a business plan

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2016

Course Code: BUSM7924C

Course Title: Develop and implement a business plan

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6146 - 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

Chris Lee
chris.lee@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 describes the skills and knowledge required to run a business operation and covers the steps required to develop and implement a business plan.

It 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.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	BSBMGT617 Develop and implement a business plan
Element:	1. Develop 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 course is structured to provide students with the optimum learning experience in order to demonstrate the 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

Practical activities, case studies and class discussion as well as work relevant assessments.

Teaching Schedule

Week	Week Commencing	Topics	Assessment
1	8 Feb	Course Overview - Develop a Business Plan
2	15 Feb	Business Profile/ Introduction to Business Plan
3	22 Feb	Understanding the business
4	29 Feb	Industry & Market Analysis
5	7 Mar	Competitive Analysis
6	14 Mar	Marketing plans
7	21 Mar	Student Consultation session - Assessment Task 1
	24 to 30 Mar	Mid-Semester Break

8	4 Apr	Production and Purchasing Plan
9	11 Apr	The Management Plan
10	18 Apr	Financial Plan
11	25 Apr	Implement, monitor and measure performance
12	2 May	Student consultation session - Assessment Task 2
13	9 May	Preparation for Oral Presentations	Assessment 2 due (12 May Sun. 11.59pm) Resubmission for this assessment due date is week 16 (3 Jun Thu.11.59pm)
14	16 May	Assessment 3 - Oral Presentation to the class teacher	Assessment 3 due in week 14 on the day of the oral presentation.
15	23 May	Oral presentation to the WIL project client (If applicable)
16	30 May	Resubmissions and Feedback

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

*Writing Your Plan for Small Business Success* by Ian Birt published by Pearso Education Australia, 2010

Writing Your Plan for Small Business Success by Ian Birt published by Pearso Education Australia, 2010

References

Other Resources

Check Blackboard

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 must provide evidence of the ability to:

analyse and research business vision, mission, values, objectives, goals, competitors, financial targets, management arrangements, marketing approaches and strategic, business and operational plans
write a business plan which includes a description of the business, products and services, financial, physical and human resource requirements, permit and licence requirements, marketing activity, financial indicators, productivity and performance targets for key result areas
implement a business plan including ensuring skilled labour is available, and that training is provided where appropriate
monitor and respond to business performance including evaluation of performance against key results indicators including profit and loss, community awareness or branding, environmental impact, governance, quality, sales, triple bottom line and the workforce
consult, communicate with and report to key stakeholders including business partners, financiers, customers, staff and technical advisers
provide an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of a business plan.

Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

outline processes for developing business plans
describe performance objectives and measures including key performance indicators
identify key stakeholders.

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

Assessment Task 1 – The Business Plan Proposal
Date handed out: Week 1
Date and time due: Week 7 (3 Apr. Sun. 11.59pm)
Group or individual: Group (3 to 4 Max)

Purpose:
This assignment will allow you to develop a business proposal outlining your business idea and revenue streams. The business proposal is to identify if the business idea is a viable business venture.

Requirements:
You are required to submit a written business proposal (using the template supplied) which will be an overview of your 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 proposed document is to be submitted electronically via Blackboard. The report should not exceed 3,000 words

Assessment Task 2 – The Business Plan Report
Date handed out: Week 4
Date and time due: Week 13 (12 May Thu. 11.59pm)
Group or individual: Group (3 to 4 Max)

Purpose:
This assignment will allow you to demonstrate an understanding of how to develop the various components of a business plan.

Requirements:
The second assessment tasks will require students to submit a marketing, operational (production/purchasing), management and financial plan on their business idea. Students are also required to implement and analyse performance reports against planned objectives. The marketing plan will cover elements of market research, marketing objectives, marketing tactics and strategies, market segmentation, targeting & positioning, competitive analysis and promotional plan. The operational plan will include operational requirements (production/purchasing), strategies for increased demand, systems for monitoring key performance areas, business development and industry networks. The management plan will include internal and external management considerations. The financial plan will cover the following elements: estimating revenue relevant to the proposed business idea, estimate expenditure, determining business start-up costs, complete cash flow statements and projections. The report should not exceed 4,000 words.

Assessment Task 3 – Oral Presentation
Date handed out: Week 12
Date and time due: Week 14
Group or individual: Individual

Purpose:
This assessment will require students to present an overview of their business plan highlighting their findings and reflections. The presentation is an opportunity for you to showcase your business idea and to explain your approach to the development of the business idea and how your business plan has been influenced by topics covered over the semester.

Requirements:
The third assessment tasks will require students to present an overview of their business idea, marketing, operational, management and financials including recommendations. Students are required to submit a hard copy of their oral presentation slides on the day of the oral presentation to the teacher prior to presenting. Students are expected to dress appropriately in an office/business attire and to present themselves in a professional manner.

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

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

Course Title: Develop and implement a business plan

Part B: Course Detail

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