Business+Case

//* The following are points gathered in conversations with Robyn Jay and other NSW Innovations project staff and serve to inform your business case however they are by no means definitive//.


 * Download the Template [[file:template Business Case 09.doc]]

**Things To Consider As You Develop Your Business Case**


A series of questions, notes, points and other ideas to help you build a business case;

If your not developing a 'product' then what are you developing ? Perhaps your working on developing and devising a teaching strategy...if so, how will you bundle it in such a way that you can ensure other RTOs or Framework contacts can use your learning/ developments in the future ? What resources, time and people does this require and does your budget reflect this clearly ? If you are developing web resources how would they be made transportable or likewise if your developing static resources how could they be made web available over a number of platforms ?
 * Articulate The Final Product **

Some 'products' may take the shape of a;
 * Case study using templates provided
 * Models and exemplars
 * Guidelines
 * DVD / CD production using templates provided
 * Teaching and learning resources


 * Revisit Every Aspect Of Your Budget **

Carefully scrutinise your budget. Does each and every element within your budget match an appropriate entry in your project plan and likewise does every project plan or deliverable match a corresponding entry for expenditure ? You MUST demonstrate that you have matched your outcomes with a progressive list of milestones to achieve these outcomes. Likewise your milestones need to correspond to expenses made within your budget including a breakdown of the RTO contribution as opposed to Framework contribution.


 * Milestones / Timeline / Deliverables **

KISS - Keep it simple and don't over complicate the scope of your project. Ensure that you can clearly and easily define a project executive summary which distinguishes succinctly the exact outcomes you are expecting and the deliverables that you have set-up to achieve within the project and with reference to expectations of Framework reportables. if you have key stakeholders and business partners where do they explicitly appear within your project mapping and how would anyone with little prior knowledge of your project easily identify where you were within the project journey ? Do you have a project reference group who regularly meet and discuss / analyse / reflect upon what's happening ( or not ) in your project ? If not, why not ?


 * Framework Resources **

You are expected to clearly define in your project business case where you have researched, identified potential or used Framework resources which would inform your project. Clearly identify in your business case a list of the resources you either are expecting to use or are currently engaged in using during your project development.

1. Outcomes, outcomes, outcomes ....or outputs, outputs,outputs**
 * Key Things To Remember
 * Articulate.......
 * Map them...........
 * Show them.........
 * Make them explicit, real and genuinely foreseeable.......
 * Make them achievable............
 * Determine your goal then retrace your steps carefully.....


 * What Is An Output ? **

An output could include or be a;

1. **Customised Toolbox content** May be a full Toolbox or section from a Toolbox that has been adapted with appropriate technical input and advice, and meets Framework E-standards requirements. It is anticipated that these will be returned to the Toolbox repository for access via LORN

2. **Teaching/Learning Resource** Curriculum materials aligned to a Training Package, curriculum or pre-vocational course. May represent existing course material that has been adapted for flexible delivery, OR a new resource. A full resource may be suitable for LORN.

3. **RPL Tool/Guide** Any material developed to support learners to capture current competency. May be a tool for gathering evidence, guidelines for learners etc and must be suitable for the Framework's database

4. **Model/ exemplar / demo** Templates, snapshots, demonstrations of how to use or implement an e-learning approach or strategy - could be a written document, a complex online resource or video etc.........to become a ‘model’?...think of how you will visualise this.

5. **Case study** Capture of how an e-learning strategy/solution was piloted in a particular context. Includes info about context, learners, needs, issues, development, trial and results - we encourage innovative approaches including digital stories, interviews, and multimedia components rather than a pure written text write-up

6. **Teachers Guide** Something developed to guide teachers or mentors or workplace trainers in the implementation of an e-learning strategy for an organisation. It might include resources, templates etc

7. **[EL] Information site/ resource** Rather than a teaching resource these provide guidance and information on e-learning or studying online for learners or businesses. Could include industry network hubs - online spaces to share ideas and discuss issues - captured as a discrete range of resources or modified via ARED.

Any approaches, tools and resources to support long term learner use of EP approaches and philosophies. RPL projects could be more focussed on long term PLE approaches and tools to suit varied learners needs.
 * 8. E-portfolio material/tool**

9. **Multimedia resources – audio, video Digital stories etc** Learning objects or resources developed using audio, video and multimedia tools**//.//** Could include audio files, video instructional material, digital stories, podcasts.

10. **Assessment tools/resources** Tools, resources and captures of strategies to address assessment in flexible mode. Could include case studies etc on use of tools for capturing evidence in the field, guidelines for assessors etc.  