ICAICT703A
Endorse business plan components for a new initiative

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to construct a business plan for a new initiative, including marketing, operations, organisational and financial plans within a medium to large organisation.

Application

Chief information officers in medium to large organisations apply the skills and knowledge in this unit to direct the strategic planning, risk management and security of internal and external information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure of their organisation.

Their job roles combine high-level management and business skills to perform strategic planning and direction of emerging and converging technologies within the ICT industry.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Endorse a marketing plan for IT business

1.1 Ensure internal and external environmental issues are addressed

1.2 Review feasibility of target market projections

1.3 Endorse selection of advertising and promotional strategies

2. Endorse the operation plan

2.1 Verify scope of business operation plan

2.2 Ensure business plan complies with business needs

2.3 Endorse criteria for quality processes against organisational standards

3. Endorse the organisational plan

3.1 Analyse and review the organisational structure

3.2 Ensure the organisational structure meets the organisation’s strategic plans and directions

4. Endorse the financial plan

4.1 Endorse financial strategy for the new initiative

4.2 Evaluate expected cash-flow projections

4.3 Analyse and evaluate the effects of financial decisions on the ability of the organisation to meet planned outcomes

4.4 Ensure financial risk-management procedures according to organisational requirements

4.5 Ensure early detection and remedial action plans for deviations in budget objectives and projections

Required Skills

Required skills

analytical skills to conduct enterprise resource planning and management

communication skills to:

resolve conflict

negotiate with clients and internal staff

prepare reports to senior management

read and interpret an organisation's reports, policies and procedures to establish and review business continuity-management framework

initiative, enterprise and problem-solving skills to:

act as a positive role model

assess vulnerabilities in organisational processes and infrastructure set-up

evaluate competitive technologies

solve problems individually and in teams in response to changing environments

translate a range of ideas into appropriate action

planning and organisational skills to:

establish and monitor the organisation's continuous improvement and planning processes

manage teams

undertake the necessary background research for the development and monitoring of the strategic management plans

technology skills to:

compare and recommend new technology solutions to improve organisational outcomes

evaluate complex information technology issues within the organisation's environment.

Required knowledge

AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk management

business continuity issues for the organisation

organisation’s industry and current functionality, including existing data and information systems

organisation's internal and external dependencies and interdependencies

organisational policies and procedures, including risk-management strategy

past and current internal, external and industry disruptions

relevant legislation and regulations that impact on business continuity, such as OHS, environment, duty of care, contract, company, freedom of information, industrial relations, privacy and confidentiality, due diligence and records management.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

develop a strategy to align IT services with organisational goals

conduct risk analysis, including security for IT assets and implement procedures that identify where risk occurs and what measures need to be taken to handle the risk

produce contingency plans for business continuity

establish warning systems and an ongoing process that includes regular or programmed reviews of the risk profile

confirm sufficient knowledge of security products and organisational security policy

develop strategy for the implementation of appropriate processes and procedures that ensure that quality expectations are met.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

relevant strategic-level enterprise documentation, including planning, financial and IT infrastructure documentation

relevant legislative policies.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate carrying out project work

verbal or written questioning of candidate to assess required knowledge and skills

review of reports and implementation plans

review of a portfolio of the project work prepared by candidate.

Note: The preferred assessment method is through a workplace project or through a simulated medium to large enterprise workplace.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support.

In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Environmental issues may include:

auditing

workplace culture

legal

markets

multiple languages

policy

regulation.

Scope may include:

customer acceptance criteria

description of outcomes (deliverables)

equipment and software to be installed

financials

milestones and timelines

project constraints

project objectives

resources required

roles of involved parties.

Quality processes may include:

AS 3925.1-1994 Software quality assurance - plans

AS/NZS4258:1994 Software user documentation process

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 12207:1997 Information technology - Software life cycle processes

AS/NZS 14102:1998 Information technology guideline for evaluation and selection of CASE tools

cost savings

performance

quality

technical

various processes, depending on type of organisation.

Organisational standards may include:

audit requirements

codes, including codes of practice

credit procedures

customer protection and trade practices

duty of care

enterprise agreements

equal employment opportunity (EEO)

ethical standards

OHS

industry codes of practice relevant to the workplace

legislation

national standards

organisational policies and procedures concerning:

budgeting

funding

use of key performance indicators

organisation's:

annual report

business plan

directory of services

marketing or public relations plan

strategic plan

quality management

relevant organisational policies and procedures

store policy, where relevant

workplace relations.


Sectors

General ICT


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.