Course Title: Manage operational plan
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2017
Course Code: BUSM7929C
Course Title: Manage operational plan
School: 650T Vocational Business Education
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5369 - Diploma of Logistics
Course Contact: Suzanne Maugeri
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 1466
Course Contact Email: suzanne.maugeri@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 70
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 and monitor implementation of the operational plan to provide efficient and effective workplace practices within the organisation’s productivity and profitability plans.
Management at a strategic level requires systems and procedures to be developed and implemented to facilitate the organisation’s operational plan.
This unit applies to individuals who manage the work of others and operate within the parameters of a broader strategic and/or business plan.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
BSBMGT517 Manage operational plan |
Element: |
1. Develop operational plan |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Research, analyse and document resource requirements and develop an operational plan in consultation with relevant personnel, colleagues and specialist resource managers 1.2 Develop and/or implement consultation processes as an integral part of the operational planning process 1.3 Ensure the operational plan includes key performance indicators to measure organisational performance 1.4 Develop and implement contingency plans for the operational plan 1.5 Ensure the development and presentation of proposals for resource requirements is supported by a variety of information sources and seek specialist advice as required 1.6 Obtain approval for the plan from relevant parties and explain the plan to relevant work teams
|
Element: |
2. Plan and manage resource acquisition |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Develop and implement strategies to ensure that employees are recruited and/or inducted within the organisation’s human resources management policies, practices and procedures 2.2 Develop and implement strategies to ensure that physical resources and services are acquired in accordance with the organisation’s policies, practices and procedures 2.3 Recognise and incorporate requirements for intellectual property rights and responsibilities in recruitment and acquisition of resources and services |
Element: |
3. Monitor and review operational performance |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Develop, monitor and review performance systems and processes to assess progress in achieving profit and productivity plans and targets 3.2 Analyse and interpret budget and actual financial information to monitor and review profit and productivity performance 3.3 Identify areas of under-performance, recommend solutions and take prompt action to rectify the situation 3.4 Plan and implement systems to ensure that mentoring and coaching are provided to support individuals and teams to effectively, economically and safely use resources 3.5 Negotiate recommendations for variations to operational plans and gain approval from designated persons/groups 3.6 Develop and implement systems to ensure that procedures and records associated with documenting performance are managed in accordance with organisational requirements |
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 and monitor implementation of the operational plan to provide efficient and effective workplace practices within the organisation’s productivity and profitability plans.
Details of Learning Activities
A range of in class activities, case studies and face to face delivery will provide a range of learning and teaching experiences for students.
Teaching Schedule
The Teaching Schedule for this course is as follows but please note that it is subject to change
Week Number |
Date |
Topic |
Assessment Week |
1 |
3 Jul 2017 |
Course / Unit Introduction |
|
2 |
10 Jul |
Operational Strategy and KPIs. |
Assessment 1 handed out |
3 |
17 Jul |
Internal policies and procedures for development of the Plan Consultation strategy and processes |
|
4 |
24 Jul |
Human, physical and other resources planning Risk Management and Contigency planning |
|
5 |
31 Jul |
Strategy for monitoring and dealing with underperformance Reporting and record keeping |
|
6 |
7 Aug |
Human Resource acquisition strategy Using specialists - |
Assessment 1 Due |
7 |
14 Aug |
Purchasing strategy |
|
8 |
21 Aug |
Budget and Financial analysis IN CLASS EXERCISE |
|
Semester break 28 August - 3 September |
|
||
9 |
4 Sept |
Budget and Financial analysis IN CLASS EXERCISE |
|
10 |
11 Sept |
Coaching for efficient, effective and safe resource use IN CLASS EXERCISE Protecting intellectual property |
|
11 |
18 Sept |
Monitoring and reporting - |
Assessment 2 due |
12 |
25 Sept |
Responses to underperformance |
|
13 |
2 Oct |
Negotiating variation to plans |
|
14 |
9 Oct |
In class presentations |
Assessment 3 |
15 |
16 Oct |
In class presentations |
Assessment 3 |
16 |
23 Oct |
Resubmissions, and feedback |
|
The nominal hours associated with this are a guide only and represent the total teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete the course. This may include not only scheduled classes bit also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
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:
- develop and implement an operational plan using a variety of information sources and consultation (including using specialist advice if required) which includes:
- resource requirements
- key performance indicators
- monitoring processes
- contingency plans
- communicate effectively with relevant stakeholders to explain the plan and supporting information, seek approvals, negotiate variations and engage work teams
- develop and implement strategies to achieve the operational plan within the organisation’s policies, practices and procedures including:
- recruiting, inducting and developing personnel
- acquiring physical resources and services
- protecting intellectual property
- making variations to the plan
- monitoring and documenting performance.
Knowledge Evidence
You are required to provide evidence of the following:
- describe models and methods for operational plans
- explain the role of an operational plan in achieving the organisation’s objectives
- explain budgeting processes
- list alternative approaches to developing key performance indicators to meet business objectives
- outline the legislative and regulatory context relevant to the operational plan of the organisation
- outline the organisation’s policies, practices and procedures that directly relate to the operational 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
Assessment overview
Assessment 1 Develop an Operational Plan
Date handed out: Week 2
Date and time due: Week 6 Sunday 13th Aug 2017, by 11:59pm
Group or Individual: Individual
Purpose: As a manager in the Transport and Logistics industry, you will be required to develop and implement an operational plan to ensure that the objectives and strategies outlined in the strategic and/or business plan are met by your work team. Operational plans are usually prepared annually. These plans focus on the activities and resources required to meet targets and include ways of monitoring progress. Your assignment therefore is based on a real industry, and as far as possible, one you currently work in. It does not matter if your real business is not in logistics or transport. The principles are generally the same.
Requirements: Prepare a written Operational Plan in the form of a report for the business or business unit you have chosen. At the end, seek approval from senior management for your proposed plan. For academic reasons, your report should be referenced using the Harvard system http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=8rwjnkcmfoeez and not exceed 2500 words. Detailed appendices such as the Risk Management Register are additional. Keep the plan size manageable. Choose a business or unit size that allows you to demonstrate requirements, without an excessive workload or exceeding the word length. You are encouraged to speak to relevant staff in your own business or business unit. Ensure first however, that your manager is aware of this before you approach other staff. So there is no confusion about the release of confidential information, when talking to staff let them know you are discussing work as a student who is writing an assignment.
Assessment Task 2 – Strategies for resource acquisition, protection of intellectual property, budget & finance analysis and people-coaching
Date handed out: Week 6
Date and time due: Week 11 Sunday 24th of September 2017, by 11:59pm Group or Individual: Individual
Purpose: This section of the Operational Plan covers strategies for acquiring the human and physical resources required to implement an Operational Plan, your skills in analysing budget and financial information, knowledge of how to protect intellectual property, and skill sin coaching teams and individuals. The emphasis is on the strategic choices you have made and the reasons for those strategic choices. You are required to use and be familiar with existing business policies and procedures for hiring or contracting staff, and purchasing the goods and services required to carry out an Operational Plan. Larger business will also have policies and practices around protecting intellectual property. As part of this assignment you will complete exercises in class on the analysis and interpretation of financial performance information and making recommendations for adjustment to budgets, and exercises on coaching people in the economic, efficient and safe use resources.
Requirements: Report length - 1200 words, excluding the scanned attachments on budgets and people coaching. Assessment 2 is an addition to Assessment 1, so add the new section and submit the WHOLE Operational Plan once again.
Assessment Task 3 Presentations
Date handed out: Week 11
Date and time due: In class in weeks 14 and 15
Group or Individual: Individual Purpose This presentation covers how you monitor and review operational performance. You comment on past performance and adjustments that have been made to the current or past operational plan. The context is your chosen business unit. Requirements Make a presentation to class in Week 14 or 15 as scheduled by the teacher, describing various monitoring and review processes. Length – 10 minutes. No more than 4 powerpoints including the first one.
Assessment Matrix
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 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 each assessment task 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, s34567, Task 2 – Safety Induction Assessment, OHTH5872C Ensure a Safe Workplace, Page 1.
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: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension
Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf
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: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w (unresolved)
Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf
Re-submissions (VE Programs)
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.
Grading & re-submissions
Re-submissions are not graded and do not contribute to your overall grade for the course.
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:
More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31
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.
Marking Guide (Grading)
After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit and you will achieve one of the following grades:
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.
Other Information
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a form of cheating in assessment and may occur in oral, written or visual presentations. It is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person, without appropriate referencing, as though it is your own.
The penalties for cheating in assessment are severe, whether the cheating involves plagiarism, fabrication, falsification of data, copyright infringement or some other method. Penalties can include charges of academic misconduct, cancellation of results and exclusion from your course. It is also a disciplinary offence for you to allow your work to be plagiarised by another student.
Referencing
RMIT Business produce their own referencing guidelines entitled written reports and essays: guidelines for referencing and presentation in RMIT Business which all Business students should use.
RMIT Business referencing guidelines (RTF, 1,286 KB, 52 pages); A supporting Referencing website has been developed for the RMIT Business guidelines.You can find out more about Academic Integrity at RMIT’s Academic Integrity webpage.
Group Assessment
A number of your assessments will rely upon group work. This is a critical part of your program as in the workplace you will be regularly required to work in a team environment. Teamwork is also one of the key employability skills for this qualification.
The key to being successful in group work is getting to know your classmates and finding out what they want to achieve. You should seek to find a team which shares your key interests and drivers.
If you are facing issues with your group, the key is to resolve them quickly well before assessments are due. If you need to you can seek support from your teacher.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview