Course Title: Develop work priorities

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2013

Course Code: EMPL7009C

Course Title: Develop work priorities

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4223 - Certificate IV in Business Administration

Course Contact : Sylvia Baroutis

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5469

Course Contact Email:sylvia.baroutis@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

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

There are no pre-requisites for this unit. 

Course Description

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan one’s own work schedules, to monitor and to obtain feedback on work performance and development.  It also addresses the requirement to take responsibility for one’s own career planning and professional development. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

This unit applies to individuals who are required to design their own work schedules and work plans, and to establish priorities for their work.  They will typically hold some responsibilities for the work of others and have some autonomy in relation to their own role.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBWOR404A Develop work priorities

Element:

1. Plan and complete own work schedule

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Workgroup plans are prepared to reflect consideration of resources, client needs and workgroup targets
1.2. Work objectives and priorities are analysed and incorporated into personal schedules and responsibilities
1.3. Factors affecting the achievement of work objectives are identified and contingencies established and incorporated into work plans
1.4. Business technology is used efficiently and effectively to manage and monitor planning completion and scheduling of tasks

Element:

2. Monitor own work performance

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Personal performance standards are identified and analysed through self-assessment and feedback from others on the achievement of work objectives
2.2. Feedback on performance is actively sought from colleagues and clients and evaluated in context of individual and group requirements
2.3. Variations in the quality of service and products are routinely identified and reported in accordance with organisational requirements

Element:

3. Coordinate professional development

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Personal knowledge and skills are assessed against organisational benchmarks to determine development needs and priorities
3.2. Opportunities for improvement and sources of learning are researched and planned in liaison with colleagues
3.3. Feedback is used to identify and develop ways to improve competence within available opportunities
3.4. New skills are identified and professional development activities are accessed and completed to facilitate continuous learning and career development
3.5. Records and documents relating to achievements and assessments are stored and maintained in accordance with organisational requirements


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

FULL TIME:

Learning activities for full-time students will include ’hands-on’ participation in Reflective Records Virtual Enterprise (VE) a simulated business environment. Students will read their textbook and apply the theory to running the VE.

What is a VE?

A Virtual Enterprise (VE) is a simulated business that participants organise and run as a hands-on way of learning about business practices and procedures, and most importantly, learning about their local businesses and industries. Visit www.virtualenterpriseaustralia.com.au

These virtual businesses trade with each other across Australia, buying and selling virtual goods with virtual money. This activity replicates the real business economy, and results in a huge range of processes (such as marketing, purchasing, invoicing, organising salary payments, and paying regular electricity and phone bills) becoming second nature to the participants.

The "virtual" focus is important for two reasons. The lack of real money and real products means that participants are testing business procedures, practices and cultures that are based on their planning decisions, and that are not complicated by an undue initial focus on finding missing dollars!

Like most of the Australian workforce, our participants adapt quickly to their "online business" through using internet for promotions, purchase orders and receipts.  They have the added advantage of understanding the "paper trail" by learning how to write cheques, knowing the difference between invoices payable and receivable, and undertaking bank reconciliations.

The VE has a business partner known as Formfile Records Management Group.  To learn more about the business partner read www.formfile.com.au/

How will the VE relate to this unit?

Your normal work tasks in your VE job role will involve not just doing your job, but also running an office and managing your time and other staff.  This will often present you with competing demands on your time.  You will open mail, manage appointments and diaries for VE personnel and do many other tasks as well.  You will decide, with your teacher, what job roles you will take in the Virtual Enterprise.  Acting in those roles, you will look for ways to improve the role to be more efficient and effective.

During your ’employment’ in the VE you will collect evidence against the elements/performance criteria for this unit. (You will store your documents in your staff file, locked in the VE cabinet).  Do not take VE work home with you.  Your file contains the two task sheets describing what activities you will do.  See S drive for marking guides.

FLEXIBLE DELIVERY

TASK 1 Go to the myRMIT online journal and download the weekly activity each week. Submit the completed weekly activity, by the end of the week, via the online journal. You will receive weekly feedback from your teacher. You should draw on your own workplace to inform your weekly task responses. Grade CA/NYC for this weekly work.

TASK 2 Case study "What’s missing at Meadow Meats?", page 115.


Teaching Schedule

WEEK  WEEK COMMENCING CONTENT ELEMENTS
BSBWOR404A

FLEXIBLE DELIVERY - ASSESSMENT

FULL TIME - ASSESSMENT

1

8 July

Overview of courses

Assessment Overview

Learning activities: Using the Journal and accessing materials using the online learning management system, Blackboard in order to plan and complete your own work schedule in the course

Introduction to Formfile Records Management Group: RMIT’s business partner

   Class attendance FULL TIME Students should refer to their Assessment Outline on myRMIT studies for activities due at the end of each week.

2

15 July
VE Job Role

Using job cards and being responsible for own learning and work priorities
1.1-1.4   Observation - in class activity
due at end of week

3

22 July

Plan and complete own work schedule

Chapter 1 "communication in today’s workplace"

Read pages 2 – 8 in Chapter 1

1.1-1.4 Online journal Observation - 
 in class activity
 due at end of week

4

29 July

Plan and complete own work schedule

Chapter 2 "interpersonal skills"

 

1.1-1.4 Online journal Observation - 
 in class activity
due at end of week

5

5 August

 Plan and complete own work schedule

Chapter 2 "Interpersonal skills" 

Read pages 27 – 31.

1.1-1.4 Online journal Observation - 
 in class activity
due at end of week

6

12 August

STUDENT STUDY WEEK - NO CLASSES

Plan and complete own work schedule

Topic: Plan and complete own work
Read pages 78 – 83.
 

1.1-1.4 Online journal Observation - 
 in class activity
due at end of week

7

19 August

Plan and complete own work schedule

Topic: Plan and complete own work
Read pages 84 -86. 

 

2.1-2.6 Online journal Observation - 
 in class activity
due at end of week

8

26 August

 Monitor own work performance

 

Topic: Plan and complete own work
Read pages 87 – 90. 

 

2.1-2.6 Online journal Observation - 
 in class activity
due at end of week
    Mid semester break 2 - 6 September      

9

9 September

 Monitor own work performance

Topic: Monitors own work performance
Read pages 91 – 95.
 

2.1-2.6 Online journal Observation - 
 in class activity
due at end of week

10

16 September

Monitor own work performance

Topic: Monitors own work performance
Read pages 96 -100.
 

2.1-2.6 Online journal  Observation -
 in class activity
due at end of week

11

23 September

Monitor own work performance

Topic: Monitors own work performance
Read pages 101 -105.
 

 2.1-2.6 Online journal  Observation -
 in class activity
due at end of week

12

30 September

Monitor own work performance

Topic: Monitors own work performance
Read pages 106 – 110
 

2.1-2.6

Online journal  Observation -
 in class activity
due at end of week

13

7 October

Monitor own work performance

Topic: Coordinates professional development
Read pages 111 – 113. 

 

 2.1-2.6 Online journal  Observation -
 in class activity
due at end of week

14

13 October

Coordinate professional development

Topic: review all topics
Read page 115 case study 1: What’s missing at Meadow Meats? 
 

 3.1-3.5 Online journal Portfolios completed: Tasks 1 and 2

15

21 October

Coordinate professional development

Topic: review all topics
Read page 115 case study 1: What’s missing at Meadow Meats?
 

3.1-3.5

Task 1 online journal completion

Task 2 Case study "What’s missing at Meadow Meats?" page 115

 

16

28 October

Coordinate professional development

Topic: review all topics
Read page 115 case study 1: What’s missing at Meadow Meats? 
 

3.1-3.5 Feedback

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Dwyer, J. The Business Communication Handbook, 9th Edition, Pearson Education Australia, 2012

9781442502666


References


Other Resources

myRMIT and Reflective Records Virtual Enterprise.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including technical requirements documentation, homework, assignments, group and/or individual projects, in class exercises, written and practical assessments, problem solving exercises, presentations, direct observation of actual and simulated work practice, presentation of a portfolio of evidence which may comprise documents, and/or photographs and/or video and audio files, review of products produced through work-based or course activities.

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

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit Evidence of the following is essential:
• preparing and communicating own work plan
• scheduling work objectives and tasks to support the achievement of goals
• seeking and acting on feedback from clients and colleagues
• reviewing own work performance against achievements through self-assessment
• accessing learning opportunities to extend own personal work competencies
• using business technology to monitor self development.

FULL TIME

Assessment Scenario
You will attend the Virtual Enterprise and work as a business administrator, refer to the Course Guide for due dates.

TASK 1
Your weekly tasks are to be done in the Virtual Enterprise and you will use your diaries and Job Cards. You will complete your normal work tasks in your job role and complete weekly assessment tasks. Make sure you keep a hard copy record of your work in your staff file. Keep a back up copy on your hard drive and your USB. Refer to the VE marking instruction guide. Make sure you get weekly feedback from your Manager and team members.

TASK 2
You will read the appropriate textbook theory indicated on the Course Guide. The work prescribed is listed in the Portfolio of Documents.
Teacher observation – progressive feedback
The student will be observed by the facilitator whilst undertaking this competency. Refer to Graded Assessment Sheet.

Special Requirements FULL TIME Students

This assessment requires the student to work in the VE for Reflective Records each week. You will access the Internet to learn more about the business partner and the Internet to get resources from the Virtual Enterprise Australia network. You will use the S drive for all your documents. Industry standard work conditions apply such as OHS requirements and acceptable work practices.

Punctuality is important. Weekly attendance is vital in order to complete the assessments. Week 2 assessment is handwritten. Always refer to myRMIT, RMIT guidelines for the Presentation of Written Work. Work is presented in word processed format, complete and with spelling and grammar check used. All topics will be addressed and professional presentation of content is required. myRMIT holds your marking instruction guides for assessments.

If a student cannot attend a weekly class then they should arrange with their teacher to ensure they complete their work requirements.

FLEXIBLE DELIVERY

TASK 1

Go to myRMIT online journal and dlownload the weekly activity each week. Submit the completed weekly activity, by the end of the week, via the online journal. You will receive weekly feedback from your teacher. Use your workplace for your answers. Grades CA/NYC is achieved for this weekly work.

TASK 2
Case study "What missing at Meadow Meats?" page 115.


Submission Requirements

Assessment tasks need to be submitted electronically via MyRMIT or hard copies to be handed in during class, if required.

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 myRMIT and your Student Diary.
• 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 Bloggs, 324567, Task 2 EMPL7009C Develop work priorities, 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)

1. Level of independence, initiative, enterprise and performance of the work task
You will need to show that you can use initiative, enterprise and acceptable performance to do the work of the Virtual Enterprise business. You will show that you can design complex documents, databases and where required, spreadsheets; evaluate tasks to improve efficiency and suggest improvements to the structure and design of existing systems. Your class attendance will ensure success, seeking feedback on your progress from the teacher. You will follow administration requirements and tasks, processes and resources planned to ensure efficient management of self, resources and that of the VE. You will be aware of legislative requirements and apply them where appropriate. You will complete in full all work required in the two tasks listed in the course guide.

2. Demonstrated breadth of underpinning knowledge and a willingness to continue learning
You will identify your career choices. You will show how you planned and managed your time and how you actively participated in helping others to improve standards of service provision. You will attend induction in the use of administrative systems. You will plan and identify your learning needs and monitor and evaluate your training requirements.

3. Techniques and processes, technology skills and problemsolving
You will maintain existing business technology and planning for future requirements; use business technology such as computers, word processing programs and printers; use the Internet, S drive, understand how to use the business related websites with passwords and proxy requirements. You will analyse document requirements and use online help, manuals and user documentation; determine appropriate strategies to respond to user requests; diagnose customer service complaints; take steps to improve the service of the VE; make decisions about classification and storage of records (especially your staff file).

4. Work organisation, planning and self management
You will organise resources, equipment and time lines; organise work schedules and meetings (using technology); plan future business technology requirements; plan task organisation to meet time lines. You will show evidence of Job Cards, sign-in sheets, to-do-lists. You will follow organisational standards and meet legislative and regulatory requirements.

5. Communication, people networking, language and interpersonal skills and teamwork
You will communicate your absences and lateness with your teacher and Team Leader. Communication will be in a polite business manner when working in the VE - be aware of others needs and maintain a respectful manner when communicating with colleagues and customers when gathering information about their needs and to provide services. You will listen to and follow complex oral instructions, be able to proofread and edit effectively and write clearly with detailed instructions. Teamwork will involve agreeing on the purpose and structure of documents, collecting feedback from customers and colleagues, coordinating and consulting with meeting participants, referring queries to colleagues.


 


Assessment Matrix

 Assessments

Required knowledge FULL TIME Assessments
• knowledge of relevant business technology applications to schedule tasks and plan work
• knowledge of techniques to prepare personal plans and establish priorities
• methods to identify and prioritise personal learning needs
• understanding of a range of professional development options
• understanding of methods to elicit, analyse and interpret feedback
• understanding of methods to evaluate own performance
 

TASK 1
Weekly tasks using VE job cards

TASK 2
Portfolio of Documents

(Includes employability skills VE observations)

Required skills  
• learning skills to recognise and develop new and necessary skills and knowledge
• literacy skills to understand the organisation’s policies, procedures and communications, to write personal work plans and professional development plans, and to request and receive feedback about performance
• organising skills to prioritise, manage time and meet deadlines
• problem solving skills to develop contingency plans
 
TASK 1
Weekly tasks using VE job cards

TASK 2
Portfolio of Documents

(Includes employability skills VE observations)
 

 

BSBWOR404A
Develop work priorities

Assessment Outline: VE weekly tasks
(CA/NYC)

Observation - VE
(Graded)
Element    
1. Plan and complete own work schedule  Y  Y
2. Monitor own work performance  Y  Y
3. Coordinate professional development  Y  Y

Course Overview: Access Course Overview