BUSINESS START-UP: CONCEPTION TO MARKET | OTHM Level 5 OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Business Management Assignment Briefs Qualification Number: 610/1527/1| JUNE 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS Assessment guidance for criterion referenced marking. The assessment grading criteria characterises the level of complexity and demand expected of students at each level of qualification. Please note that these are generic descriptors which apply mainly, though not exclusively, to written academic work.
Any further unit-specific assessment criteria, such as number of words, should be clearly stated in each individual assignment brief.
Result.
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 7
Pass
Detailed answers to all parts of the questions or tasks.
Clearly structured and focused, demonstrating overall coherence and in- depth understanding of the unit content and assessment requirements.
Evidence of the use of independently sourced material, well applied in all contexts.
Very few errors in grammar as appropriate.
Detailed response to all relevant parts of the questions or tasks, with evidence of clear understanding of the issues.
Well-structured with evidence of independent reading supporting the argument.
Clear evidence of a range of independently sourced material, well applied in all contexts.
Very few errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
Very full, independent response to the assignment, applying relevant material well beyond any module input, demonstrating independent study.
Excellent understanding and application of relevant theory, concepts and models. Very clear logical structure.
Very few errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
Excellent links between relevant ideas, theories and practice.
Evidence of independent learning and the ability to engage critically and analytically with a wide range of contextually relevant resource material.
Demonstration of original insights supported by well- structured overall argument.
Very few errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate.
The work demonstrates engagement in an academic debate which presents clear evidence of a considered understanding of the topics studied.
There is evidence of clear synthesis of theoretical issues and practice.
A critical analysis of theoretical models and/or practical applications has resulted in originality.
Very few errors in referencing or grammar
or syntax as appropriate.
Result.
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 7
Refer
Little attempt to engage with assignment brief.
Learning outcomes not fully met.
Inadequate demonstration of knowledge or understanding of key concepts, theories or practice.
Little attempt to engage with assignment brief.
Learning outcomes not fully met.
Inadequate demonstration of knowledge or understanding of key concepts, theories or practice.
Little attempt to engage with assignment brief.
Learning outcomes not fully met.
Inadequate demonstration of knowledge or understanding of key concepts, theories or practice.
Little attempt to engage with assignment brief.
Learning outcomes not fully met.
Inadequate demonstration of knowledge or understanding of key concepts, theories or practice.
Whilst some of the characteristics of a pass have been demonstrated, the work does not address each of the outcomes for the specified assessment task.
The work may be an overly descriptive account demonstrating minimal interpretation, and there is very limited evidence of analysis, synthesis or evaluation.
No counterarguments or alternative frames of
reference are generated or considered.
Qualification Structure The OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Business Management qualification consists of 6 mandatory units, 120 credits, 1200 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT) and the recommended Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for this qualification is a minimum of 600 hours.
All units are mandatory.
Unit Ref. No.
Unit title
Level
Credit
GLH
TQT
F/650/1150
Principals and Concepts of Strategy
5
20
100
200
H/650/1151
The Management of Human Resources
5
20
100
200
J/650/1152
Marketing for Managers
5
20
100
200
K/650/1153
Business Law for Managers
5
20
100
200
L/650/1154
Management Accounting and Decision Making
5
20
100
200
M/650/1155
Business Start-up; Conception to Market
5
20
100
200
Centre Assessment Guidance Centre’s are advised to follow the assessment guidance and methods set out by OTHM qualifications within the specification and this document, if a centre wishes to devise their assessment methods then this first must be provided to OTHM Qualifications, prior to implementation.
The Assessor should decide when the learner is suitably prepared to undertake the assessment and issue the Assignment. Once learners have been issued with an assignment, it is essential they work independently to produce and prepare their evidence for assessment.
Before commencing an assessment, the Assessor should take care to ensure each learner understands:
the assessment requirements
the nature of the evidence they need to produce
the importance of time management and meeting deadlines
the importance of submitting authentic work
It is important that centres develop an effective delivery method to teaching and learning that supports the progression and stretch of learners through the level 4 and 5 units of the OTHM Level 5 Diploma qualifications.
Assessing Unit Content Assessors are expected to assess evidence submitted by learners to determine that the work is suitable in meeting the assessment criteria and provide learners with appropriate feedback.
Centre assessors mark the assignments against the predefined learning outcomes and assessment criteria in the specification.
To achieve this unit, learners must achieve the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by all assessment criteria for the unit.
For the unit Management Accounting and Decision Making, learners will need to be supplied with a range of financial statements / accounts for a business. These can be downloaded by the tutor from the Internet. Assessment Tracking and Recording Learner Progress
It is necessary to track and record learner achievement throughout the delivery period of the OTHM Level 5 Diploma and this should not be left until the end of the course.
This will include regular review of learner work through formative and summative assessment and internal quality assurance at planned intervals during the programme:
before decisions have been made on any unit
sampling evidence once one or two of the units or assignments are completed
Tracking learner progress, recording the achievement of each learner per criteria on a unit- by-unit basis ensures:
the assessment evidence is clearly measured against national standards
learner progress is accurately tracked
the assessment process can be reliably verified
evidence is valid, authentic and reliable for the safety of certification
identification of which assessments are outstanding
internal verification is timely
samples for standards verification and other external audits can be made available as required
up to date, securely stored assessment records help to minimise the risk of assessment malpractice and potential issues; maintaining the integrity of the qualification.
Tutors/Assessors should provide learners with formative and summative feedback to aid development during their studies.
Formative Assessment
Summative Assessment
used during the learning process
used at the end of the learning process
provides feedback on learning-in-process
evaluates achievement against learning outcomes and assessment criteria
dialogue-based, ungraded
graded Pass / Refer
Assessor Authentication Every member of staff involved in the internal verification of controlled assessment must ensure that each piece of assessed work can be authenticated with confidence as being the work of the learner who submits it. The assessor and IQA must sign a declaration after the work has been completed confirming that the work was completed under the required conditions.
Learner Task Guidance The assessment for this qualification comprises assignment based tasks, to be completed at the end of the period of learning.
The tasks will cover all learning outcomes and assessment criteria within the unit. The tasks are necessary to map and claim knowledge and competence.
You are expected to include citations and references in your academic work and you should follow the Harvard referencing style.
You must use relevant academic and reliable sources.
The Indicative Content in the specification is not prescriptive or exhaustive but is intended to provide helpful guidance to teachers and learners, with the key areas that will be covered within the unit and relating to the kinds of evidence that should be provided for each assessment objective specific to the unit learning outcomes
Learners are expected to adhere to the word count, provided as a range within the question text. A 10% leeway either side of this range is permitted before the assessor is instructed to stop reading any further.
There is no formal time limit for the completion of the tasks, besides that of the validity of assessment materials.
Learners will be required to sign a statement of authenticity, confirming all evidence provided is their own.
As well as the content your tutor/assessor will be scrutinising the following aspects:
Plagiarism and collusion
Critical writing, style
Sentence structure
Grammar, punctuation
Argument, setting out
Presentation of findings and conclusion
Referencing and citation
The tasks are marked by an Internal Assessor and verified.
Learners who fail to achieve the required Pass mark are permitted to re-sit after having sufficient teaching and additional study time.
BUSINESS START-UP: CONCEPTION TO MARKET Unit Reference Number
M/650/1155
Unit Title
Business Start-up: Conception to Market
Unit Level
5
Number of Credits
20
Total Qualification Time (TQT)
200 hours
Guided Learning Hours (GLH)
100 hours
Mandatory / Optional
Mandatory
Task Grading Type
Pass / Fail
Unit Aims Many people dream of setting up their own business but are not aware of what is required, what support is available and what personal qualities are required. The aim of this unit, therefore, is to consolidate previous learning where learners employ the knowledge and skills of disciplines such as marketing and management to produce a viable business plan.
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
Learning Outcome – The learner will:
Assessment Criterion – The learner can:
- Understand the fundamental requirements for starting a new business.
1.1 Describe the range of resources required to start a business.
1.2 Describe the personal skills and qualities required to start a business.
1.3 Describe the legal requirements when starting a business.
- Understand sources of support available to new businesses.
2.1 Compare sources of financial support.
2.2 Describe support provided by governments.
2.3 Describe support provided by non-government organisations.
2.4 Compare sources of non-financial support.
- Be able to create a business plan for a new business to gain stakeholder support.
3.1 Produce a business plan for a start-up business.
3.2 Demonstrate effective communication when seeking stakeholder support for a new business.
Scenario
After being inspired by what you have learnt during your studies, you have decided to start your own business.
You have conducted some research and have decided to approach your local business community help support group to get some advice. They have offered you, free of charge, the support of a business start-up consultant who will act as your **mentor.
Your mentor has broken down what you need to know and do as follows:
the fundamental requirements for starting a new business. sources of support available to new businesses. creating a business plan and be able to gain support from stakeholders ** Your Tutor will act as your mentor.
Unit Title Business Start-up: Conception to Market
Task 1 of 3
Unit Learning Outcomes
Assessment Criteria
LO 1 Know the fundamental requirements for starting a new business.
1.1, 1.2, 1.3
LO 2 Know sources of support available to new businesses.
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
Assignment Brief and Guidance
You need to demonstrate you have sufficient fundamental knowledge to be able to set up your own business.
Your mentor has asked you to produce an essay which considers the following:
the range of resources required to start your business.
the personal skills and qualities you need to start your business.
the legal requirements of your country related to starting a business.
sources of financial support available to you.
support provided by local, regional and national governments of your country.
support provided by non-government organisations.
sources of non-financial support.
Delivery and Submission
The submission is in the form of an essay written in Word format.
The recommended word limit is 750 words excluding diagrams, references, and appendices.
Referencing
You are expected to use relevant academic and reliable sources, and clearly reference these in your work.
References should be added to the text and placed at the end in a references list, using Harvard Referencing style.
You should complete a bibliography to support all evidence.
Unit Title Business Start-up: Conception to Market
Task 2 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome
Assessment Criteria
LO 3 Be able to create a business plan for a new business to gain stakeholder support.
3.1
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Now that you have the fundamental knowledge required to set up your own business, it is time to create your business plan.
You must first define a clear business idea with your mentor so that it can be agreed that it is feasible. It is recommended that you choose a business venture that seems practical and worth further development.
A formal business plan is a critical step in developing a successful business. There are a variety of web sites giving advice on preparing a business plan and these can be accessed through any typical search engine.
Your business plan should serve three main purposes: to communicate, manage and plan the venture.
Delivery and Submission
The submission is in the form of a detailed business plan which can include charts and diagrams, or other aids where appropriate.
The format and structure will be determined by guidance from the tutor, the preferences of the learner and the nature of the business venture being proposed.
The recommended word limit is 1750 words excluding diagrams, references, and appendices.
Referencing
You are expected to use relevant academic and reliable sources, and clearly reference these in your work.
References should be added to the text and placed at the end in a references list, using Harvard Referencing style.
You should complete a bibliography to support all evidence.
Unit Title Business Start-up: Conception to Market
Task 3 of 3
Unit Learning Outcome
Assessment Criteria
LO 3 Know the fundamental requirements for staring a new business.
3.2
Assignment Brief and Guidance
Once you have determined that the objective of your business plan can be achieved, you need to prepare a presentation to gain support from stakeholders.
To help ensure your presentation is as effective as possible, your mentor wants you to rehearse your delivery before presenting to the different stakeholders.
You will deliver your presentation to your mentor who will act as a critical friend and provide constructive feedback.
There are a variety of web sites giving advice on how to present and pitch a business plan and these can be accessed through any typical search engine.
Delivery and Submission
The submission is in the form of a 10-minute presentation equivalent to 500 words and must be in a recognised presentation format.
Enhance your presentation with visual aids if you wish to.
Referencing
You are expected to use relevant academic and reliable sources, and clearly reference these in your work.
References should be added to the text and placed at the end in a references list, using Harvard Referencing style.
