Unit Outline

Business planning for successful organisations relies on both strategic and operational plans that inform and guide day to day activities and processes. Strategic planning concepts include medium to long term planning, vision, missions, values and objectives of an organisation. This unit explores how strategic planning informs operational planning, with a strong focus on how operational actions and activities are formulated and decided upon.

It investigates approaches that underpin data-informed decision-making and planning including being able to identify and incorporate organisational challenges, opportunities and recommendations for improvements.You will engage in analysing, interpreting and evaluating data, information and operating context using business tools such as graphing, SWOTs, and business model canvases to inform operational planning.

In conjunction with the discipline theory, this unit builds on concepts of learning through practice in Year 1 of study by introducing you to more complex learning experiences.

You will be introduced to:

discipline-based skills and knowledge in dynamic practice situations. This will include authentic and purposeful, industry-related experiences

concepts of managing effective relationships and communicating with others

the development and use of adaptive leadership skills and how these skills relate to innovative and entrepreneurial practice

the nature of responsible, accountable and reflective workplace skills, and creative and critical thinking relevant to para-professional practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Analyse and interpret data to apply an ‘evidence-based approach’ to decision making
2.	Apply business planning strategies, tools, and techniques to support organisational planning
3.	Evaluate and communicate planning requirements, actions and priorities in an organisational context

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	ZAA202 Business Planning

Alterations as a result of student feedback

To be determined

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	AT1: Decision Making and Data Analysis	Week 5	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	AT2: Case Study Operational Report	Week 9	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	AT3: Business Action Plan	Week 14	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: AT1: Decision Making and Data Analysis

Task Description:

Data-based analysis enables decision making, problem solving and innovation to be achieved in industry.
In this task you will carry out analysis on data relevant to business and operational planning.
Following your data analysis of the relevant data and information you will interpret the evidence and make relevant recommendations (decisions).

Task Length:

800 words (maximum) excluding diagrams, graphs and analysis tools

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and apply numeracy skills (25%)	LO1, LO2
2	Communicate ideas and information (25%)	LO1, LO3
3	Analyse and apply discipline knowledge to practice (25%)	LO1, LO2
4	Use evidence to support arguments and conclusions (25%)	LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 2: AT2: Case Study Operational Report

Task Description:

You will analyse case study information relevant to business and operational planning using business tools and techniques. In doing this you will analyse and interpret data and information, use an ‘evidenced-based approach' and communicate business planning relevant information.

Task Length:

1200 words (maximum) excluding diagrams and analysis tools

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and analyse problems and opportunities related to an operational plan (30%)	LO1, LO2
2	Analyse and apply discipline knowledge to practice	LO1, LO2
3	Use evidence to support arguments and conclusions	LO1, LO2, LO3
4	Engage in creative thinking to solve problems and recommend solutions	LO3

Assessment Task 3: AT3: Business Action Plan

Task Description:

You will develop a ‘Business Action Plan’ which focuses on evidence-based operational planning including recommended short term ‘actions/activities’ for an organisation of your choosing.
You will evaluate relevant information and determine priority areas that require ‘actions’ in your ‘Business Action Plan’.
You will provide supporting arguments to justify your chosen actions, their priority, resources, and a proposed timeline required to achieve them.
You will succinctly communicate your recommendations and justifications for them in a ‘Business Action Plan’. Examples and a template will be provided.

Task Length:

1800 words (maximum) excluding diagrams and analysis tools

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and apply investigative business strategies, tools, and techniques for organisational improvement (25%)	LO1
2	Use evidence to support arguments and conclusions (30%)	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Engage in evaluative and creative thinking to solve problems and recommend solutions (20%)	LO1, LO3
4	Communicate ideas and information (25%)	LO2, LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.