Required skills

Required skills include

analysing a complex technical brief and preparing a feasible project implementation plan

establishing a project team and implementing a project in response

reaching milestones within budget

consulting and communicating effectively to ensure the project outcomes are achieved

maintaining accurate records and documentation in accordance with the enterprise procedures

selecting and establishing operational systems for the project

planning work activities resources and finances to ensure the project outcomes are achieved within the timeframe and budget constraints

monitoring and evaluating the progress of the project

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

purpose and methods of planning

techniques for monitoring timelines expenditure and team performance

techniques for achieving effective communication and cooperation

techniques for troubleshooting problem solving and conflict resolution

reporting requirements

techniques for evaluation and continuous improvements

relevant health safety and environment requirements

laboratorys business goals and key performance indicators

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors should ensure that candidates can

analyse a complex technical brief and prepare a feasible project implementation plan

establish a project team and implement a project in response

reach milestones within budget

consult and communicate effectively to ensure project outcomes are achieved

maintain accurate records and documentation in accordance with enterprise procedures

select and establish operational systems for the project

plan work activities resources and finances to ensure project outcomes are achieved within the timeframe and budget constraints

monitor and evaluate the progress of the project

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment

This unit of competency may be assessed with

MSLA Manage and develop teams

MSL916002A Manage and develop teams

MSLA Maintain quality system and continuous improvement processes within workfunctional area

MSL936001A Maintain quality system and continuous improvement processes within work/functional area.

Resources may include

procedures and documentation typically used by the enterprise

scheduling chartsstrategic plans

GANTT charts

operational reports

financial plans

sample budgets

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of reports operational budgets and project plans generated by the candidate

review of project outcomes and customer satisfaction

questioninginterview to assess underpinning knowledge

feedback from project team and management

review of documented examples of quality performance improvements achieved and examples of significant problems solved

observation of the candidates interaction with project team

In all cases practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly

Where applicable reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity age gender demographics and disability

Access must be provided to appropriate learning andor assessment support when required

The language literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment

This competency in practice

Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting

Manufacturing

A cosmetics manufacturing company decided to upgrade the image of a product range which included lipsticks nail lacquers hair shampoos and conditioners A technical specialist coordinated the project and organised input from marketing development quality assurance and production personnel The production boundaries were defined through consultation with marketing and it was decided to update shades of shaded products and introduce natural ingredients wherever possible The project had to be completed within a reasonably short timeframe and within a tight budget which placed overall constraints on the way the project could be handled After developing and gaining approval for an implementation plan team members were briefed and development samples produced for approval Product characteristics were checked and recommendations made for adjustments until each product met requirements When pilot batch manufacture had been successfully completed project development processes were fully documented and then passed to production to allow for efficient development of production batches

Environmental

The quality team in a laboratory has set a goal of getting reports out more quickly and assigned the coordination of the project to one of the senior technical officers The officer prepared an outline of the project a timeframe a resource list and budget Specific tasks were allocated to members of the quality team according to their abilities and existing work commitments The officer monitored the projects progress by tracking and adjusting elements as necessary After the development of a final draft for the revised procedures a draft project report was prepared for consideration by the quality team

Food processing

A dairy company currently uses an imported cocoabased product for the chocolate flavouring of their milk Following a feasibility study of a range of ingredients it was decided to investigate further an alternative source on the basis of cost A technical specialist prepared a project plan that included required personnel materials equipment and a detailed GANTT chart Key personnel from quality assurance production engineering product development and marketing were chosen for the project team The project was monitored to confirm progress control expenditure and review the suitability of the alternative product source At the end of the project the technical specialist assessed the outcomes and prepared a detailed report that recommended the use of a local ingredient

Codes of practice

Complex projects

Records

Communication

Resources

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements