Course Title: Design and produce complex text documents

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2026

Course Code: OFFC5347C

Course Title: Design and produce complex text documents

Important Information:


Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.

See Canvas

School: 525T Business & Enterprise

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5406 - Diploma of Business

Course Contact: Jeremy Glover

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 1485

Course Contact Email: jeremy.glover@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 100

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 design and develop business documents using complex technical features of word processing software.

The unit applies to those who work in a range of business environments and have skills which may be applied in the provision of administrative support within an enterprise, or by technical experts responsible for producing their own word- processed documents.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBTEC401 Design and produce complex text documents

Element:

1. Prepare to produce word processed documents

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify ergonomics requirements and organise personal work environment 1.2 Use safe work practices to ensure ergonomic, energy and resource conservation requirements are met 1.3 Identify document purpose, audience and presentation requirements, and clarify with relevant stakeholders, where required 1.4 Identify organisational requirements for text-based business documents to ensure consistency of style and image 1.5 Evaluate complex technical functions of software for usefulness in fulfilling requirements of the task

Element:

2. Design complex documents

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Design document structure and layout according to purpose, audience and information requirements of task 2.2 Design document to enhance readability and appearance, and to meet organisational and task requirements for style and layout 2.3 Use complex software functions to enable efficient manipulation of information and other material, and ensure consistency of design and layout 2.4 Use help function to overcome problems with document design and production

Element:

3. Add complex tables and other data

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Insert a table into document, change cells according to information requirements 3.2 Format rows and columns, where required 3.3 Insert images and other data and format, where required

Element:

4. Produce documents

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Develop documents, and achieve required results 4.2 Preview, adjust and publish documents according to organisational and task requirements 4.3 Name and store documents in accordance with organisational requirements and exit application 4.4 Prepare document according to organisational requirements, policies and procedures

Learning Outcomes


This course is structured to provide students with the optimum learning experience in order to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to design and develop business documents using complex technical features of word processing software.


Details of Learning Activities

WeekLearning FocusLearning ActivitiesResources / Tools
1. Introduction to Complex Documents and Ergonomics Overview of unit requirements, purpose of complex text documents, and ergonomics in the workplace. • Class discussion on workplace document standards and examples of complex text documents (reports, proposals, manuals).• Practical demonstration on setting up ergonomic workstation and safe work practices.• Activity: Identify audience and purpose for different business documents. Unit outline, sample business documents, ergonomic guidelines, WHS policy.
2. Organisational Requirements and Document Planning Identify document purpose, audience, and organisational style requirements. • Review and interpret organisational style guides.• Group activity: Compare formatting and layout conventions used in real workplace templates.• Workshop: Planning document structure and workflow. Organisational style guide, templates, case study examples.
3. Exploring Advanced Word Processing Features Evaluate and apply complex software functions for document creation. • Hands-on lab session exploring styles, templates, and formatting tools.• Demonstration: Using references, sections, and document automation tools.• Exercise: Create a structured document using templates and automatic formatting. Microsoft Word or Google Docs (advanced functions), user manuals, online help.
4. Designing Complex Documents Apply design principles to improve readability, consistency, and presentation. • Design activity: Develop a layout plan and style hierarchy for a business report.• Peer review session to evaluate readability and visual appeal.• Troubleshooting using Help and online documentation. Computer lab, reference documents, organisational templates.
5. Inserting and Formatting Tables, Images, and Data Incorporate visual and data elements to enhance documents. • Demonstration: Creating and formatting tables, charts, and images.• Practice task: Insert tables and images into a multi-section report.• Activity: Apply advanced formatting to align visual data with text. Word processing software, example data sets, charts.
6. Mail Merge and Automated Document Functions Use mail merge and automation tools for efficiency. • Workshop: Creating a mail merge using Excel data.• Task: Produce a batch of customised letters or reports.• Discussion: Automation benefits and data accuracy. Word and Excel, mail merge templates, student dataset.
7. Producing and Finalising Documents Preview, adjust, and publish documents following organisational standards. • Simulation: Produce and submit a finalised complex business document (e.g., report or policy manual).• Review activity: Check consistency, layout, and compliance with style guide.• Reflection: Document naming, storing, and version control practices. Assessment task brief, style guide, storage procedures.
8. Assessment and Review Apply all learned skills to produce multiple complex text documents. • Assessment Task: Design and produce four complex business documents demonstrating use of styles, layout, references, mail merge, and data elements.• Individual reflection on challenges and problem-solving strategies.• Feedback and improvement session. Assessment instructions, marking guide, feedback form.


Teaching Schedule

Week

Topic

Assessment / Learning activities

Week 1

RMIT Welcome and Orientation

Course Assessments

Course Induction

Word Basics

Week 1

Learning Activities:

  • Read Introductory modules
  • Watch the Welcome video
  • Note your supports
  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Download and read the assessments and requirements
  • Note the due dates of your assessment in your calendar
  • Do the after-class activities

Week 2

Computer Operation

  • Work Environment
  • Safe Work Practices

Week 2

Learning Activities:

  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Do the "How to" exercises
  • Do the after-class activities
  • Check the after-class activities for assessment questions that can be completed

Week 3

Publishing

  • Review Documents
  • Publish Documents

Week 3

Learning Activities:

  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Do the "How to" exercises
  • Do the after-class activities
  • Check the after-class activities for assessment questions that can be completed

Assessment:

Observed Assessment - Assessment Task 1

Step 1 – Demonstrate an Organised Workplace

Week 4

Document Design

  • Organisational Procedures
  • Document Requirements
  • Document Design
  • Justifying Paragraphs

Week 4

Learning Activities:

  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Do the "How to" exercises
  • Do the after-class activities
  • Check the after-class activities for assessment questions that can be completed

Week 5

Building Blocks

  • Text Presentation
  • Page Formatting basics
  • Consistency of Presentation

Week 5

Learning Activities:

  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Do the "How to" exercises
  • Do the after-class activities
  • Check the after-class activities for assessment questions that can be completed

Week 6

Templates

  • Consistency of Image
  • Role of Templates
  • Use of Templates

Week 6

Learning Activities:

  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Do the "How to" exercises
  • Do the after-class activities
  • Check the after-class activities for assessment questions that can be completed

Assessment:

Observed Assessment - Assessment Task 2

Step 1.1 – Meet with Stakeholders No 1 ( in class )

Week 7

Tables

  • Create a Table
  • Work With a Table
  • Format Tables

Week 7

Learning Activities:

  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Do the "How to" exercises
  • Do the after-class activities
  • Check the after-class activities for assessment questions that can be completed

Submit Assessment Task 1 - Produce a Flyer

MID-SEMESTER BREAK - 1-7 September

RMIT Important Dates - Refer link below

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/my-course/important-dates/2025/ve

Week 8

Document Sections

  • Section Breaks and Margins
  • Headers and Footers

Week 8

Learning Activities:

  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Do the "How to" exercises
  • Do the after-class activities
  • Check the after-class activities for assessment questions that can be completed

Week 9

Importing

  • Import Text
  • Import Excel Data
  • Hyperlinks

Week 9

Learning Activities:

  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Do the "How to" exercises
  • Do the after-class activities
  • Check the after-class activities for assessment questions that can be completed

Assessment:

  • Observed Assessment - Assessment Task 2

Step 1.2 – Meet with Stakeholders No 2 ( in class )

Week 10

Graphics Elements

  • Pictures
  • Images (Data)
  • Shapes
  • SmartArt

Week 10

Learning Activities:

  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Do the "How to" exercises
  • Do the after-class activities
  • Check the after-class activities for assessment questions that can be completed

Week 11

Large Documents

  • Table of Contents
  • Indexing
  • Footnotes / Endnotes
  • Cross-references
  • Bookmarks
  • Master Documents

Week 11

Learning Activities:

  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Do the "How to" exercises
  • Do the after-class activities
  • Check the after-class activities for assessment questions that can be completed

Assessment:

Submit Assessment Task 2 - Produce a Report

Week 12

Mail Merge

  • Recipient Lists
  • Mail Merge Techniques

Week 12

Learning Activities:

  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Do the "How to" exercises
  • Do the after-class activities
  • Check the after-class activities for assessment questions that can be completed

Week 13

Fields

  • Field Basics
  • Interactive Fields

Week 13

Learning Activities:

  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Do the "How to" exercises
  • Do the after-class activities
  • Check the after-class activities for assessment questions that can be completed

Assessment:

Submit Assessment Task 3 - Produce a Letter

Week 14

Forms

  • Content Elements
  • Controls

Week 14

Learning Activities:

  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Do the "How to" exercises
  • Do the after-class activities
  • Check the after-class activities for assessment questions that can be completed

Submit Assessment Task 4 - Produce a Form

Week 15

Macros

  • Macros In Word
  • Working With Macros
  • Access Macros

Week 15

Learning Activities:

  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Do the "How to" exercises
  • Do the after-class activities
  • Check the after-class activities for assessment questions that can be completed

Assessment:

Week 16

Assessment Workshop

  • Course Review
  • Workshop
  • Documents Produced

Week 16

Learning Activities:

  • Do the pre-class activities
  • Do the after-class activities


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

In order to achieve competency in this unit, you must provide:

Performance Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:

  • prepare design and produce at least four complex text documents.

In the course of the above, the candidate must:

  • follow organisational and safe work practices
  • adhere to organisational requirements for:
  • producing documents within designated timelines
  • naming and storing documents
  • adhere to task requirements when producing complex documents including:
  • using appropriate styles and layout consistently throughout the document
  • using correct formatting and document structure
  • use the following features:
  • mail merge
  • document styles
  • references (footnotes/endnotes)
  • Table of Contents
  • paragraph
  • line spacing
  • section breaks
  • alternating headers
  • footers
  • resolve issues by referring to user documentation and online help
  • apply knowledge of complex operation and functions of industry software applications.

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:

  • formatting styles and their effect on formatting, readability and appearance of documents
  • organisational requirements for ergonomics, work periods and breaks, and conservation techniques
  • purpose and contents of an organisational style guide
  • key aspects of organisational policies and procedures.

Assessment Conditions

Skills in this unit must be demonstrated in a workplace or simulated environment where the conditions are typical of those in a working environment in this industry.

  • This includes access to:
  • organisational policies and procedures
  • workplace documentation and resources relevant to performance evidence
  • industry software packages and user instructions.

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 - Produce a Flyer

Assessment Task 2 - Produce a Report

Assessment Task 3 - Produce a Letter

Assessment Task 4 - Produce a Form


Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview