SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Research the viability of new venture ideas/opportunities 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
114596  Research the viability of new venture ideas/opportunities 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Generic Management 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Generic Management 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular-Fundamental  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard is aimed at learners who wish to identify and screen new ideas and/or opportunities with the intention of establishing and/or participating in a new venture.

The qualifying learner is capable of finding information about different industry sectors; explaining the purpose of potential new ventures; identifying characteristics of successful ventures and evaluating new venture opportunities.

The qualifying learner will be able to:
  • Identify and assess own business ideas/opportunities for a new venture.
  • Analyse the viability of a selected idea/opportunity against specific screening variables.
  • Research the potential of a particular idea/opportunity as a new venture.
  • Analyse a range of risks associated with a new venture.
  • Evaluate new venture ideas/opportunities based on research findings. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this qualification will have demonstrated competence in Computer Literacy, Mathematical Literacy and Communications at NQF level 3 or equivalent. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Risks include demand, competition, capability to produce/service at an economic and marketable price, level of capital require.
  • Failure factors include capital management, credit management, technical ability, market access and size, marketing/selling skills, management capability, business growth, personal life conflict.
  • Evaluation refers to the size and type of market segment, product range, sources of supply, physical facilities, essential services, financial resources, return on investment, staffing needs, technology requirements, legal/regulatory compliance, growth potential. 

  • Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify and assess own business ideas/opportunities for a new venture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    An own business is discussed in terms of its advantages and disadvantages for the owner, the labour market and the business sector. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sources and methods of access to general and commercial business information are identified for proposed business venture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Reasons for selecting or rejecting a particular new venture idea/opportunity are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Essential features of the new venture are identified in terms of market share, sales volume, asset value, and extent of independence from outside control. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Analyse the viability of a selected idea/opportunity against specific screening variables. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The aptitude, interests and values of the potential owner are screened for suitability to the new venture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The market conditions are assessed to determine the viability of the new venture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An assessment is made of the competition the new venture is up against. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The access to relevant technology and other resources needed for the new venture is analysed to aid a decision on the viability of the new venture. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Research the potential of a particular idea/opportunity as a new venture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A personal profile of an entrepreneur is matched to the type of work, product or service that has potential as a new venture to ensure compatibility. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Training needs to ensure success of the new venture are identified for all persons involved in the venture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Market research is conducted including analysis of demand for the product/service and competitor analysis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The most suitable location of the new venture is investigated to aid a decision on the location of the new venture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Constraints on trade and applicable by-laws are investigated to ensure that there are no legal obstacles to the establishment of the new venture. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Analyse a range of risks associated with a new venture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of risk management is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The potential risks and factors that may threaten the new venture are identified and analysed with a view to eliminating and/or minimising them. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The risks associated with being an employer are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The possible measures to reduce risk are explained with examples from a real or simulated new venture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The insurance and security needs associated to risks in the new venture are investigated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Evaluate new venture ideas/opportunities based on research findings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Criteria are established for evaluating the success of a new venture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A preliminary evaluation of the proposed new venture is produced in the form of a written report, using the identified criteria. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • This Unit Standard will be assessed by an assessor and moderated by a moderator, registered with the relevant accredited ETQA responsible for the quality assurance of this Unit Standard.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider through the appropriate quality assuring ETQA, or Learning Programme approval with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the quality assuring ETQA.
  • Verification (external moderation) of assessment and moderation by the provider, will be conducted by the relevant quality assuring ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant Qualification and the agreed ETQA policy and procedures.
  • An individual wishing to be assessed through RPL against this Unit Standard, may apply to an assessment agency or provider institution accredited by the relevant quality assuring ETQA, or by an ETQA that has a formal agreement/accreditation with the relevant quality assuring ETQA. 

  • UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Methods and techniques for assessing and analysing information associated with new venture opportunities.
  • How to evaluate new venture opportunities.
  • The types of new ventures and opportunities.
  • The Labour Market study
  • Researching the industry and the broad market
  • Consumer, competitors and supplier research
  • Interpreting research findings
  • Identifying your target market
  • Estimating the size of the market
  • Conducting own research
  • Risk management, insurance and security 

  • UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions which arise during the process of assessing, analysing and evaluating new venture opportunities. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise oneself and one's activities by using structured methods in investigating and assessing new venture opportunities. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information which will assist in the investigation and assessment of new venture opportunities. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by explaining the potential impact of proposed new venture decisions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Develop entrepreneurial opportunities. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  66249   Further Education and Training Certificate: New Venture Creation  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Core  23953   Further Education and Training Certificate: New Venture Creation (SMME)  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2009-05-13  Was SERVICES until Last Date for Achievement 
    Core  20884   National Certificate: New Venture Creation (SMME)  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered" 
    2005-04-10   
    Elective  58143   National Certificate: Music Industry Practice  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 
    Elective  65051   Further Education and Training Certificate: Arts and Culture Development Support  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 
    Elective  79626   Further Education and Training Certificate: Commercial Property and Facilities Management  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  58761   Further Education and Training Certificate: Early Childhood Development  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  ETDP SETA 
    Elective  65029   Further Education and Training Certificate: Music  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 
    Elective  59097   Further Education and Training Certificate: Real Estate  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  SERVICES 
    Elective  58394   National Certificate: Film and Television Production  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Elective  49087   National Diploma: Orientation and Mobility Practice for Blind and Partially Sighted Persons  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2009-07-29  Was ETDP SETA until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  73129   National Diploma: Public Relations Practice  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  SERVICES 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Axolemahle Business Enterprise 
    2. BLC Entertainment 
    3. Damelin Correspondence College (Pty) Ltd 
    4. Empirical Training Agency (PTY) Ltd 
    5. EYETHU NATIONAL COMPUTER COLLEGE PTY LTD 
    6. Frayintermedia Cc 
    7. FURNITURE WORLD TRAINING CENTRE 
    8. Ikamva Projects Pty Ltd 
    9. PHALANE SAFETY CONSULTANT AND TRAINING PROVIDERS PTY LTD 
    10. PRX SCHOOL TEST 
    11. Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology Pty Ltd 
    12. Sunshine Community Outreach Ministry of Youth With A Mission 
    13. WESTERN COLLEGE FOR FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING 
    14. ZA WIT (PTY) LTD 



    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.