Operational management

BSBMGT517 Manage operational plan

This unit is about developing and monitoring implementation of an operational plan. It involves using efficient and effective workplace practices within the organization’s productivity and profitability plans. Strategic managers develop and implement systems and procedures to achieve the organization’s operational plan.

How you will be assessed

You will be assessed through:

 

Practical

You will be assessed in the workplace as a safe environment. You will need to demonstrate consistent performance of typical activities as a manager and will need access to:

  1. relevant legislation and regulations.
  2. workplace documentation and resources.
  3. case studies and, where possible, real situations.
  4. interaction with others.

You will need to show that you can:

  1. Develop and implement an operational plan using a variety of information sources and consultation (including using specialist advice if required) which includes:
    1. resource requirements.
    2. key performance indicators.
    3. monitoring processes.
    4. contingency plans.
  2. Communicate effectively with relevant stakeholders to explain the plan and supporting information, seek approvals, negotiate variations and engage work teams.
  3. Develop and implement strategies to achieve the operational plan within your organization’s policies, practices and procedures including:
    1. recruiting, inducting and developing personnel.
    2. acquiring physical resources and services.
    3. protecting intellectual property.
    4. making variations to the plan.
    5. monitoring and documenting performance.

 

Assignment/interview questions

  1. Describe models and methods for operational plans.
  2. Explain the role of an operational plan in achieving your organization’s objectives.
  3. Explain budgeting processes.
  4. List alternative approaches to developing KPIs to meet business objectives.
  5. Outline the legislative and regulatory context of your organization’s operational plan.
  6. Outline your organization’s policies, practices and procedures that directly relate to the operational plan.

Note: Your assessor may also ask you a variety of what if questions.

 

Detailed requirements

1. Develop the operational plan.

  1. Research, analyze and document resource requirements and develop an operational plan in consultation with relevant personnel, colleagues and specialist resource managers.
  2. Develop and/or implement consultation processes as an integral part of the operational planning process.
  3. Check that the operational plan includes KPIs to measure performance.
  4. Develop and implement contingency plans.
  5. When you develop and present proposals for resource requirements, include a variety of information sources and get specialist advice as required.
  6. Get the plan approved by relevant parties and explain the plan to relevant teams.

2. Plan and manage resource acquisition.

  1. Develop and implement strategies to ensure that employees are recruited and/or inducted within your organization’s human resources management policies, practices and procedures.
  2. Develop and implement strategies to ensure that physical resources and services are acquired according to your organization’s policies, practices and procedures.
  3. Recognize and incorporate requirements for intellectual property rights and responsibilities in recruitment and acquisition of resources and services.

3. Monitor and review operational performance.

  1. Develop, monitor and review performance systems and processes to assess progress in achieving profit and productivity plans and targets.
  2. Analyze and interpret budget and actual financial information to monitor and review profit and productivity performance.
  3. Identify areas of under-performance, recommend solutions and take prompt action to rectify the situation.
  4. Plan and implement systems to ensure that individuals and teams get mentored and coached to use resources effectively, economically, and safely.
  5. Negotiate recommendations for variations to operational plans and get approval from designated persons/groups.
  6. Develop and implement systems to ensure that procedures and records associated with documenting performance are managed according to your organization’s requirements.