Course Title: Research and develop business plans
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2025
Course Code: BUSM8938C
Course Title: Research and develop business plans
School: 515T Creative Industries
Campus: Brunswick Campus
Program: C5435 - Diploma of Product Design
Course Contact: Robin Blood
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4683
Course Contact Email: robin.blood@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Jansen Lye
Nominal Hours: 50
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
Nil
Course Description
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and develop business plans for achieving business goals and objectives.
The unit applies to those establishing or operating a business providing self-employment, as well as those establishing a new venture as part of a larger organisation.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
BSBESB401 Research and develop business plans |
Element: |
1. Prepare to develop business plan |
Performance Criteria: |
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Element: |
2. Draft business plan |
Performance Criteria: |
|
Element: |
3. Create a business plan |
Performance Criteria: |
|
Element: |
4. Finalise business planning and plan for risk |
Performance Criteria: |
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Learning Outcomes
Refer to Elements/Performance Criteria
Details of Learning Activities
Learning activities will take place in a studio and computer laboratory using industry standard tools and resources. You will complete exercises and industry style projects. You will also be required to undertake independent study. In-class activities will include:
- class exercises
- tutorials
- practical demonstrations
- workshops
- group discussion
- review and revision
- peer learning
- peer teaching and class presentations
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- workshop for all student projects including peer/lecturer feedback
Out of class activities may include:
- independent research
- independent project based work
- studio practice
- online tutorials and activities
- review and revision
Teaching Schedule
| Teaching schedule | ||
Week |
Topic |
Remark |
Week 1 |
Introduction to Small Business · RMIT Library-IBISWorld, Passport · Microsoft online app’s · Business plan – SOSTAC |
· Writing a professional Report (MS Word- Table of contents, Header-footer etc). |
Week 2 |
Information research- · ABS · ACCC · Business Victoria · ATO · ASIC |
· Business set-up · Special Licence requirements for e.g., Liquor licence or high-risk licence to operate heavy vehicles etc. |
Week 3 |
Risk: Law, Operations, and the Business · Risks in business · Occupational and Work Health and Safety (OHS Act 2004) · Privacy Act 1988 · Equal Opportunity Act 2004 · Disability discrimination Act 1992 · Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 · Industrial Relations Reforms Act 1993 · Fair Work (FW Act 2009) |
· Small business commission · Fair work Ombudsman · Gender discrimination · Accessibility to workplace · Race discrimination, · Intellectual Property IP Australia. Note: please have a small business practice in mind which would be the basis of your Task 2 and 3. |
Week 4 |
Finance · Profit and Loss · Budget |
· Use of Excel to develop a budget and a P&L. · Use of pie diagrams |
Week 5 |
Marketing · SLEPT · Porters 5 forces · SWOT Analysis · Strategy- Segmentation, Target, Positioning, Perceptual Mapping · Tactics: Marketing P’s |
· We will discuss AT 1 in-class. · You will need to develop 2 customer personae |
Week 6 |
Task 1 Knowledge test If you miss this, then re-sit test is scheduled in week 14, |
· In-class test- 3 hours · Attendance is mandatory |
Week 7 |
Human Resource Management · Knowledge, Skills, Experience, Attitudes · Org chart · Roles and Responsibilities · Motivation - Maslow’s |
|
|
Mid Semester Break: August 28 - September 1st |
||
Week 8 |
Information, Communication Technology · Cyber security · Payment gateways · Data breach and ID theft · Hardware and software · Website development-Wix · Social Media – FB, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter |
· You will need to have Username, password |
Week 9 |
Supply chain and Logistics · Export-Import · SCM integration · Currency · Disruptions due to War, political instability, pandemic. |
Assessment Task 2 due. |
Week 10 |
Task 3: work on assessment and consultation |
|
Week 11 |
E-Commerce- digitisation of business · What is E-Comm · Growing your business across borders |
· SEO · PPC · Google analytics · Meta tags |
Week 12 |
Summary |
|
Week 13 |
Time for Task 3 |
Assessment Task 3 due |
Week 14 |
Class time for re-submit and Task 1 re-sit |
Re-submit-1 |
Week 15 |
Class time for re-submit (Task 2 and 3 only) |
Re-submit-2 |
Week 16 |
Course consultation |
No resubmits allowed in this week without approved extension from program coordinator. |
While all course content will be delivered, the order and mode of delivery may change depending on the availability of specialist facilities and equipment. Please check Canvas regularly as any updates will be communicated by your teacher.
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
You are advised to look on Canvas at myRMIT site for ongoing updated information. A range of learning resources and references are provided throughout the year.
You will require a personal storage device and tools as outlined in the kit list.
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.
Amongst the library’s electronic resources is the ability to access LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) for online tutorials and lessons. You may be given these tutorials (and other resources) to supplement your classroom learning. The University Library has extensive resources for Design students.
Resources for students studying design programs http://rmit.libguides.com/graphicartanddesign
The Library provides guides on academic referencing Referencing - RMIT University
Subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian Ask the Library - RMIT University
Overview of Assessment
Assessments will be held throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess your performance and the application of your knowledge and skills and may include practical tasks, project,direct observation including exploration of and experimentation with techniques,written and/or oral questioning and discussions to assess your knowledge and understanding of this unit.
Assessment Tasks
Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace.
To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher for each assessment task.
Assessment Task 1: Knowledge Questions
Due: Week 6
Assessment Task 2: Feasibility Study
Due: Week 9
Assessment Task 2: Business Plan
Due: Week 13
*Due dates for assessment tasks dependent on access to specialist facilities and equipment may change. Please check Canvas regularly as any updates will be communicated by your teacher.
You are required to demonstrate all learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard.
You will receive feedback with verbal and/or written evaluation of your progress within class time.
The submitted projects will be assessed with written feedback as well as a checklist that relates to separate components of the project and the overall outcome.
Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
SEC: Stopped engagement in course
Assessment Matrix
An assessment matrix demonstrating alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency is available from the course contact person (stated above).
Other Information
Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
Feedback
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Information about your studies
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity
Submissions
When submitting work for assessment you are required to complete a declaration of authorship. This must be done for every summative assessment task. This statement acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications. For non-digital submission use the printed form provided. For digital online submission please use e Submission process.
On Time Submission and Impact of Late Submission
On time submission is an important factor in your assessment. Employability skills are embedded in all courses and these include Planning & Organising and Self-management. For this reason, late work impacts on your competency assessment.
Submissions that are assessed as Not Satisfactory can be re-submitted once and this is only permitted during the period that the competency is scheduled.
Assessment
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview