This unit applies to individuals working in leadership or management roles in any industry or community context. The individual could be employed by the organisation, but may also be an external contractor, the leader of a cross organisation team or of a self formed team of individuals. The work group could be permanent or temporary in nature.

The unit focuses on the skills and knowledge required to develop and implement a holistic approach to the integration of innovation across all areas of work practice. It also acknowledges the importance of wider contextual evaluation for potential innovations to ensure their value and benefit.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Lead innovation by example

1.1. Make innovation an integral part of leadership and management activities

1.2. Demonstrate positive reception of ideas from others and provide constructive advice

1.3. Establish and maintain relationships based on mutual respect and trust

1.4. Take considered risks to open up opportunities for innovation

1.5. Regularly evaluate own approaches for consistency with the wider organisational or project context

2. Establish work practices that support innovation

2.1. Consult on and establish working conditions that reflect and encourage innovative practice

2.2. Introduce and maintain workplace procedures that foster innovation and allow for rigorous evaluation of innovative ideas

2.3. Facilitate and participate in collaborative work arrangements to foster innovation

2.4. Build and lead teams to work in ways that maximise opportunities for innovation

3. Promote innovation

3.1. Acknowledge suggestions, improvements and innovations from all colleagues

3.2. Find appropriate ways of celebrating and promoting innovation

3.3. Promote and reinforce the value of innovation according to the vision and objectives of the organisation or project

3.4. Promote and support the evaluation of innovative ideas within the wider organisational or project context

4. Create a physical environment which supports innovation

4.1. Evaluate the impact of the physical environment in relation to innovation

4.2. Collaborate with colleagues about ideas for enhancing the physical work environment before taking action

4.3. Consider potential for supporting innovation when selecting physical resources and equipment

4.4. Design, fit-out and decorate workspaces to encourage creative mindsets, collaborative working and the development of positive workplace relationships

5. Provide learning opportunities

5.1. Pro-actively share relevant information, knowledge and skills with colleagues

5.2. Provide or encourage formal and informal learning opportunities to help develop the skills needed for innovation

5.3. Create opportunities in which individuals can learn from the experience of others

Required skills

communication, consultation and negotiation skills to model and lead, open and collaborative relationships

comprehension skills to interpret and develop information that may deal with complex ideas and relate to issues both within and outside a given workplace context

planning and organisational skills to implement wide-ranging practical processes and procedures that support innovation

problem-solving skills to assess and respond to challenges and risks around innovation at an operational management level

self-management and learning skills to evaluate and enhance personal effectiveness, and to promote a culture of ongoing learning and development.

Required knowledge

benefits of providing coaching and learning opportunities in relation to innovation

concept of innovation, what it is and what it means for different people either working independently or within an organisation

context for innovation in the relevant workplace context including core business values, overall objectives, broader environmental context and the need to ensure the value and benefit of innovative ideas and projects

different ways of rewarding performance

factors and tools that can motivate individuals to use creative thinking and apply innovative work practices

legislative framework that impacts on operations in the relevant workplace context

management principles and leadership styles, including the impact of different approaches on innovation

typical challenges and barriers to innovation within teams and organisations, and ways of overcoming these

ways in which workplace climate can affect individual attitudes and performance.

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

establishment of procedures and practices (for a project or a workplace) which support and foster innovative work practice and include sound evaluation processes

modelling of behaviour that supports innovative work practice

knowledge and understanding of the role of leaders and managers in encouraging innovation, and the issues and challenges associated with building and sustaining an innovative work environment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

involvement of a team for which the candidate provides leadership and guidance.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate

evaluation of outcomes and processes from activities managed by the candidate, particularly in relation to how innovation and innovative practice was encouraged and supported

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of ways that innovation can be fostered and the typical challenges and barriers to innovation.

Guidance information for assessment

Innovation does not occur in isolation. Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is highly recommended.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Leadership and management activities may include:

people management practices

planning processes

regular management meetings

review processes

Risks may include:

budgetary issues

challenging changes in relationships, work practices and general workplace climate

unforseen impacts of innovative ideas

Working conditions may include:

family-friendly leave entitlements

flexible working hours

social leave

study leave

time provided for coming up with ideas

Workplace procedures may relate to:

briefing processes

client relations

performance management

project management

staff meetings

training

Evaluation of innovative ideas may relate to:

analysing consistency with overall goals, values or vision

assessing resource requirements and practicalities

assessing the potential to find 'champions' or supporters

evaluating the external factors that may impact on the idea

exploring the implications of ideas that may stretch or change existing ways of doing things

Collaborative work arrangements might be:

cross section

vertical teams

within a section

working with supplier organisations or partner organisations

Ways that maximise opportunities for innovation may relate to:

collaborating

collecting data

creative thinking

future scanning

getting feedback

making suggestions

networking

Ways of celebrating and promoting innovation may include:

congratulating the project team

ensuring management acknowledgment

providing a newsletter story about the idea

using the idea to help foster other ideas

well-planned group incentive schemes

Impact of the physical environment may relate to:

eating areas

extent to which design or style links with declared philosophies or objectives

external areas

general ambience of the work environment

location of different people

presence and ambience of relaxation areas

style of décor

use of creative messages or images in the workplace

workspace design and décor

workstation arrangements and opportunities for interaction

Formal and informal learning opportunities may include:

coaching

conferences

formal training courses/programs

information seminars

job rotation

mentoring

online learning

Unit sector

Creativity and Innovation - Innovation

This unit contains employability skills.