STUDENT

ASSESSMENT
TASKS

Student Assessment Tasks

BSBSTR601 Manage innovation and continuous improvement
 Contents

Introduction 3
Assessment Task 1: Knowledge questions 4
Assessment Task 1: Checklist 7
Assessment Task 2: Project Portfolio 8
Assessment Task 2: Checklist 17

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Student Assessment Agreement

Make sure you read through the assessments in this booklet before you fill out and sign the
agreement below.
If there is anything that you are unsure of, consult your assessor prior to signing this agreement.
Have you read the assessment requirements for this unit?  Yes  No
Do you understand the requirements of the assessments for this unit?  Yes  No
Do you agree to the way in which you are being assessed?  Yes  No
Do you have any specific needs that should be considered?  Yes  No
If so, explain these in the space below.

Do you understand your rights to re-assessment?  Yes  No

Do you understand your right to appeal the decisions made in an assessment?  Yes  No

Student name

Student number

Student signature

Date

Qualification Code
and Name

Unit Code and Name

Assessor name

Assessor signature

Date

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Assessment Cover Sheet

Student Declaration
To be filled out and submitted with assessment responses
 I declare that this task is all my own work and I have not cheated or plagiarised the work or
colluded with any other student(s).
 I understand that if I If I am found to have plagiarised, cheated or colluded, action will be taken
against me according to the process explained to me.
 I have correctly referenced all resources and reference texts throughout these assessment
tasks.

Student name

Student ID number

Student signature

Date

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 Introduction

The assessment tasks for BSBSTR601 Manage innovation and continuous improvement are
outlined in the assessment plan below. These tasks have been designed to help you demonstrate
the skills and knowledge that you have learnt during your course.
Please ensure that you read the instructions provided with these tasks carefully. You should also
follow the advice provided in the Business Works Student User Guide. The Student User Guide
provides important information for you relating to completing assessment successfully.

Assessment for this unit

BSBSTR601 Manage innovation and continuous improvement describes the skills and knowledge
required to sustain and develop an environment in which continuous improvement, innovation and
learning are promoted and rewarded.
For you to be assessed as competent, you must successfully complete two assessment tasks:

 Assessment Task 1: Knowledge questions – You must answer all questions correctly.

 Assessment Task 2: Project – You must work through a range of activities and complete a
project portfolio.

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 Assessment Task 1: Knowledge questions

Information for students

Knowledge questions are designed to help you demonstrate the knowledge which you have
acquired during the learning phase of this unit. Ensure that you:

 review the advice to students regarding answering knowledge questions in the Business
Works Student User Guide

 comply with the due date for assessment which your assessor will provide

 adhere with your RTO’s submission guidelines

 answer all questions completely and correctly

 submit work which is original and, where necessary, properly referenced

 submit a completed cover sheet with your work

 avoid sharing your answers with other students.

i
Assessment information
Information about how you should complete this assessment can be found in Appendix
A of the Business Works Student User Guide. Refer to the appendix for information on:

 where this task should be completed

 the maximum time allowed for completing this assessment task

 whether or not this task is open-book.

Note: You must complete and submit an assessment cover sheet with your work. A
template is provided in Appendix C of the Student User Guide. However, if your RTO
has provided you with an assessment cover sheet, please ensure that you use that.

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Questions
Provide answers to all of the questions below:

1. Outline two methods for conducting cost-benefit analysis.

ANSWER:

Two methods for conducting cost-benefit analysis are:

1. Net Present Value (NPV)

The difference between the current value of money coming in and going out over an arbitrary
amount of time is called net present value (NPV). In capital planning and speculation, NPV is
used to assess the profitability of a proposed project or job.

2. Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR)

The benefit cost ratio (BCR) is a productivity indicator used in cost-benefit analysis to assess
the adequacy of profits generated from a project or resource. The BCR examines the present
value of all benefits generated by a job or resource in comparison to the current value of all
costs.

2. List three ways that knowledge management systems can be established in an organisation.

ANSWER:

Three ways that knowledge management systems can be established in an organisation are:

1. The first way is to use frameworks and data innovation to improve business acumen.

2. The second way is to better your commercial acumen by using hierarchical technique

3. The third way is creating a productive workplace to aid in corporate productivity

growth.

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3. Complete the table to identify and explain three types of continuous improvement
systems/processes that can be used in an organisation. The first row has been completed as
an example for you to follow.

System or Process Explanation

Continuous improvement This sets out actions to be taken into the future.
plan

Technology LEAN LEAN improvement was developed by Toyota to optimize their

production cycle. It establishes what aspects of the process
customers value most in order to decide what may be removed
from product production to reduce waste and lower costs.

Sigma Six A technique called Six Sigma aims to raise the calibre of
corporate operations. It aims to reduce process variance to
ensure consistency and boost performance. It measures
variations from a predetermined centre line on a control chart
using statistics.

Total Quality Similar to Six Sigma, TCM makes all parties involved
Management (TCM) accountable for delivering high-quality results. To cut down on
errors, it looks to standardize processes.

4. Complete the following table regarding creativity and innovation theories and concepts.

List one creativity and Summarise the theory, including key concepts
one innovation theory

Universe speculations of Ideas, thoughts, or models that are credited with creating
Creativity new value are considered to be innovative. It is the process
by which fresh ideas are realized. This may take the form of
demonstrations, procedures, frameworks, solutions to
problems, or even links.

Complex Innovation One of the most important theories of development, but one
that is frequently completely misunderstood. This important
notion, which was first proposed in Professor Clayton
Christensen's book The Innovator's Dilemma, clarifies why
large, well-organized businesses ultimately lose out to more
compact ones and introduced the concept of problematic
development.

5. Discuss (in one or two paragraphs) three principles that are relevant to organisation learning.
In your answer, identify the principles and explain what each one means as an organisational
learning principle.

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6. Complete the following table regarding quality management and continuous improvement
theories.

List one quality Summarise the theory, including key concepts

management and one
continuous improvement
theory

7. Discuss three concepts associated with risk management. As part of your answer, provide an
example of how each concept may relate to organisational learning.

8. Explain how to conduct a gap analysis of an organisational system.

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 Assessment Task 2: Project Portfolio

Information for students

In this task, you are required to demonstrate your skills and knowledge by working through a
number of activities and completing and submitting a project portfolio.
You will need access to:

 a suitable place to complete activities that replicates a business environment including a

meeting space and computer and internet access

 your learning resources and other information for reference

 BSBSTR601 Simulation Pack or access to relevant team members, information and workplace
documentation and resources at your organisation

 Project Portfolio template.

Ensure that you:

 review the advice to students regarding responding to written tasks in the Business Works
Student User Guide

 comply with the due date for assessment which your assessor will provide

 adhere with your RTO’s submission guidelines

 answer all questions completely and correctly

 submit work which is original and, where necessary, properly referenced

 submit a completed cover sheet with your work

 avoid sharing your answers with other students.

i Assessment information

Information about how you should complete this assessment can be found in Appendix
A of the Business Works Student User Guide. Refer to the appendix for information on:

 where this task should be completed

 how your assessment should be submitted.

Note: You must complete and submit an assessment cover sheet with your work. A
template is provided in Appendix B of the Student User Guide. However, if your RTO
has provided you with an assessment cover sheet, please ensure that you use that.

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Activities
Complete the following activities:

1. Carefully read the following:

This project requires you to complete a range of activities relevant to managing

continuous improvement and innovation for one organisation as a whole or one
work area within an organisation (e.g., a department of a company).
To do this, you will assume a managerial role and communicate with team
members and other stakeholders to improve the work environment for the
organisation or work area.

Vocational education and training is all about gaining and developing practical skills
that are industry relevant and that can help you to succeed in your chosen career.
For this reason, we are giving you the choice to base this project on your own
business, one you work in or a familiar with, or you can use the case study
provided. This will mean that you are applying your knowledge and skills in a
relevant, practical and meaningful way to your own situation!

If you are using the case study business, all relevant information for you to
complete this assessment can be found in the Simulation Pack.
If you are basing this assessment on your own choice of business or work area,
make sure you have access to all required information (read through the
requirements in the green boxes below for further information). Speak to your
assessor to get approval if you want to base this on your own business.
You will be collecting evidence for this unit in a Project Portfolio. The steps you
need to take are outlined below. Before you begin, complete page 4 of your Project
Portfolio.

Start working on Section 1 of your Project Portfolio. Steps 2 to 4 form part of Section 1.
If you are basing this assessment on your own business, you need access to at least two
written documents that provide information about your organisation or work area’s:

 processes and systems (including supply chain)

 plans

 continuous improvement systems, processes, and innovations

 performance (including mathematical information).

You also access to policies and procedures that outline processes for approvals, project
management, change management and knowledge management.
Examples of such documents include:

 Strategic Plan

 Operational Plan

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  Project documentation (such as the Schedule, Project Briefing and Status Reports)

 Continuous improvement Policies and Procedures

 Project Management Policy and Procedures

 Change Management Policy and Procedures

 Communication Policy and Procedures

 Performance Reports.

Examples of mathematical information include:

 budgets (forecast and actual)

 number of customer complaints

 amount of rework required.

2. Review organisational documentation.

Read at least two written documents that provide information about the business,
its operations/processes, plans and continuous improvement systems, processes,
and innovations.
Also read at least one policy and procedures that outlines the organisation’s
processes for approvals, project management, change management and
knowledge management.

i Make notes (for example using comments, highlighting or other review tools) on the
documents as you read them to help you interpret the information.
If you are basing this assessment on the case study, read the following documents:

 Case study details

 Strategic and Operational plans

 Organisational structure

 Internal and External Communication Policies and Procedures.

Summarise the information you’ve collected. Your summary should address:

 key objectives

 key decision makers

 key operational processes

 supply chain details

 strategies to monitor and evaluate performance and sustainability of key

systems and processes

 current continuous improvement systems, processes, and innovations in place

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  requirements for approvals, change management, project management and
knowledge management.

3. Summarise and analyse current performance for the organisation or work area to identify
required changes or improvement opportunities.

Collect information about your business’ performance. Do this by reading available

performance reports (that include mathematical information).

i If you are using the case study, review the 2021. Performance Overview in the
Simulation Pack.

Based on the information you’ve collected, summarise and analyse the current
performance of your chosen organisation or work area to identify changes or
improvement opportunities. To do this first:

 summarise current performance (including mathematical information) and

identify variances from existing plans

 identify and analyse trends and opportunities relevant to the organisation or

work area

 analyse supply chains and the operational and service systems using Gap
analysis and determine the cost-benefits of the changes, improvements, or
new ideas.

i As you analyse the way things are currently done, remember that this is just one
way of doing things and improvement or changes are possible.
In your gap analysis, identify areas needing improvement or changes and suggest
new ideas that may be trialled and tested to meet the need or opportunity.

After your analysis, set objectives for continuous improvement and the way things
work.

4. Identify team members and seek their input.

Identify team members who can assist with continuous improvement and
innovation in the workplace.
Describe best practice ways of working that teams can use to achieve continuous
improvement and to be innovative.
Also identify learning opportunities for the team to improve their skills and
knowledge in relation to continuous improvement and innovation.

Draft an email to these team members seeking their input for continuous
improvement in the organisation or work area. In your email:

 promote the value of creativity, innovation, and sustainability

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  communicate the objectives for improving the way things work, expectations
and desired outcomes

 summarise the changes, improvements, and new ideas you’ve already

identified including the cost-benefit of the new ideas.

 seek their advice to identify further opportunities for improvement and to select
three changes/improvements/new ideas to focus on.

i The text of the email should be in grammatically correct English, written in an

appropriate (polite, business-like) style.
If you are using the case study, your assessor will respond to your email in the role
of a team member when they mark Section 1 of your Project Portfolio.
If you are using their own business, the actual team members may provide the
advice, or you may ask your assessor to play the role of the team members and
provide feedback instead.

Make sure you have answered all questions in Section 1.

You are required to attach certain documents as part of your evidence – review the
documents you need to attach as outlined in Section 1 of the Project Portfolio.
Submit Section 1 to your assessor.

Start working on Section 2 of your Project Portfolio. Steps 5 to 8 form part of Section 2.
If you are using your own business, you need access to team members willing to participate
in mentoring and coaching. These people must agree to their participation being viewed by
your assessor.

5. Plan for continuous improvement.

Select three changes, opportunities, or new ideas to focus on as part of your

continuous improvement efforts. Justify your choice, considering the need,
resources available, and constraints.
Develop a Continuous Improvement Plan. Your plan must include:

 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) associated with the continuous

improvement objectives

 continuous improvement systems and processes

 key actions, resources, constraints, and timeframes to achieve continuous

improvement and innovation as you implement your chosen
changes/opportunities/new ideas

 impact the changes/opportunities/new ideas will have on the organisation, the

consequences for people and the related transition plans

 risk management to determine risks, outcomes, risk responses and

contingencies for the Continuous Improvement Plan (including non-
performance of staff members)

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  communication plans to manage changes associated with continuous
improvement efforts

 rewards for staff who have succeeded in their continuous improvement efforts

 the knowledge management system to be used to capture continuous

improvement plans and learnings.

i Use the work you’ve done in Section 1 of the Project Portfolio as well as the input
provided by your assessor (in the role of a team member) to select and plan for
continuous improvement.
Use the template provided in the Project Portfolio.
Your communication plans should adhere to any project management and change
management requirements of your organisation. Remember to consider the
audience when determining what to communicate, how to communicate, when to
communicate and why the communication is necessary.

6. Coach and mentor team in continuous improvement and innovation.

Prepare to coach and mentor the continuous improvement team members

(identified in step 4). To do this:

 Read through the steps below and make notes to use at the meeting.

 Explain how you will facilitate effective group interaction and build rapport with
the team members to ensure positive working relationships.

 Set questions to ask team members about their vision for continuous
improvement to guide your mentoring (e.g., how can you contribute to the
continuous improvement team, what benefits do you want to obtain from being
part of this team? etc).

 Prepare to coach team on how to be innovative (e.g., select a creative thinking

tool such as opposite thinking that you will introduce them to and
demonstrate).

 Create a questionnaire that you will use to seek feedback from team members
on how you ran the meeting.

i Keep in mind that coaching focuses on the present immediate situation whereas
mentoring focus on the future.

Meet with at least two team members (identified in Section 1 of your Project
Portfolio). At your meeting:

 Thank the team members for their contribution to further identify improvement
opportunities and agree with their input (your assessor provided this input in
the role of the team members when marking Section 1 of your Project
Portfolio).

 Collaborate to create a list of why creativity and innovation are vital for your

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 organisation (or work area) to achieve its outcomes.

 Share the best practices (you identified in step 4) on continuous improvement

and innovation with the team.

 Mentor the team members on how they could in the future work to contribute
towards continuous improvement.

 Coach team members on how they can be innovative (e.g., by demonstrating

how to use a creative thinking technique such as opposite thinking).

 Briefly discuss your Continuous Improvement Plan and confirm with the team
members that objectives, timeframes, measures, and communication plans
are in place so that the plan can be implemented.

 Seek feedback (using the questionnaire you created) from each team member
on your own performance at the meeting.

i As you conduct the meeting, make sure you facilitate effective group interaction
and build rapport to establish positive working relationships
This meeting may take place with actual people who work for/are associated with
your chosen business. Alternatively, classmates or your assessor may play the role
of the team members. This can either be viewed in person or online by your
assessor or you may like to video record the session for your assessor to watch
later. Your assessor can provide you with more details at this step. Make sure you
follow the instructions above and take no longer than 20 minutes. If this session is
not viewed in person by your assessor, you will attach proof of the meeting to
Section 2 of your Project Portfolio.

7. Implement changes or improvements.

Choose one change/opportunity/new idea (described in your Continuous

Improvement Plan) and implement it.

i Examples of implemented changes or improvements could be:

 Develop a flowchart to show a new, more efficient process and place it in a

convenient location (e.g., flow chart showing how to decide whether to print a
document should be placed at the printer).

 Place a compost bin in the staff kitchen to improve sustainability.

 Download the software for a new information management system and set up
the folder structure.
If you are using the case study, you are required to notify sales staff of the new
cloud-based product and schedule their training in its use. This should be done by
creating a bulletin notice for the staff bulletin and creating a calendar invite for staff
to attend training.

8 Address impact of change.

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 Choose one transition plan (described in your Continuous Improvement Plan) that
addresses the impact of the change or improvement and implement it.

i Examples of implemented actions or transition plans include:

 create a social media post to communicate the change to customers

 send an email to staff notifying them of the change

 create and distribute a fact sheet about the changes or improvements.

If you are using the case study, you are required to create a social media post
advertising the new product to existing and new customers.

Make sure you have answered all questions in Section 2.

You are required to attach certain documents as part of your evidence – review the
documents you need to attach as outlined in Section 2 of the Project Portfolio.
Submit Section 2 to your assessor.

Start working on Section 3 of your Project Portfolio. Steps 9 and 10 form part of Section 3.
Assume that your Continuous Improvement Plan has been approved and a period has
passed. Your assessor will have provided you with simulated performance outcomes
relevant to your unique Continuous Improvement Plan to use to complete the next steps.

8. Monitor and evaluate continuous improvement and innovation.

Provide an evaluation of how well you believe continuous improvement systems

are working.

i
Base your evaluation on the Staff Survey comments (in the Simulation Pack).

Recognise successes by drafting an email to the project team congratulating them

on their successes.

i The text of the email should be in grammatically correct English, written in an

appropriate (polite, business-like) style.

Describe at least one non-performance failure and analyse the causes. Implement
your contingency plan for non-performance (as described in your Continuous
Improvement Plan).

i If you are using the case study, you are required to develop a fact sheet that can be
used as training to help the relevant staff members perform as required. The
contents of your fact sheet will depend on the unique non-performance details
supplied by your assessor. For example, if the non-performance is related to using
automated systems, the fact sheet could explain the benefits of process
automation.

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 Identify and manage new challenges and opportunities by updating your
Continuous Improvement Plan. As you update the plan, confirm that learning from
activities are captured and managed using the relevant knowledge management
systems.

9. Submit your completed Project Portfolio.

Make sure you have completed all sections of your Project Portfolio, answered all
questions, provided enough detail as indicated and proofread for spelling and
grammar as necessary.
Submit to your assessor for marking.

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