Managing priorities and keeping up with change on all fronts is every RTO managers challenge right now. Effective planning processes are essential for ensuring you achieve the objectives and goals of your organisation and you comply with relevant Commonwealth, state or territory legislation and regulatory requirements. It is time to go back to basics during this global pandemic and utilise systems and processes that ensure operations are effective and sustainable. Here are some strategies for RTOs to consider that will assist your business with achieving operational success:

Use planning software:

RTOs of all sizes manage numerous activities at any given time such as projects, plans, tasks and people. To implement your operational plans effectively you need a solution that keeps everything organised while managing competing priorities in a way that is consistent and profitable. By utilising an online planning system that provides visibility and oversight you can plan effectively and track activities in a centrally accessible tool. Trello is one tool that is highly effective for RTO planning purposes. The application is a web-based Kanban style list making collaboration tool that organizes your activities into boards. RTOs can use it to organise committees; staff meetings; action plans; schedules; student tracking and many more. The free account provides basic functionality that can get your planning started. RTOs can sign up here with our link.

The benefits of using planning templates:

The effectiveness of your RTOs planning strategies will determine your success regardless of the size of your operations. Planning templates are important tools that ensure you can better plan, manage, and report on your strategies implemented. RTO managers should have various planning templates in their arsenal that is suited to your specific operational requirements to use to effectively plan and implement strategy. Using well designed templates to describe and communicate your goals and objectives will ensure they are easily understood by all of your stakeholders. EDministrate has developed templates that can be used by RTOs to undertake key planning activities that ensure you comply with ASQA requirements. They can be purchased here if you want customisable, off-the-shelf document templates.

Create effective planning processes:

The purpose of your planning processes should be to define your RTO’s goals and determine the resources necessary to achieve success. Your plans may outline the required achievement of certain KPI’s or targets. By implementing consistent strategies that are supported by staff at all levels your RTO can ensure it grows in an environment predicated by rapid change and uncertainty. Your RTOs policies and procedures are critical planning documents and controls to mitigate risk that should be published and accessible to all staff in a central repository for easy reference. RTO managers must be careful to create and implement appropriate policies and procedures that are fit for purpose and reflect regulatory requirements and contractual obligations that you must comply with. EDministrate has customisable policies and procedures for RTOs that can be purchased here if you should you need to update your organisations plans.