This unit of competency supports the needs of builders and senior managers within building, construction and services firms, typically working in larger organisations and managing more complex projects and processes, responsible for developing and implementing estimating and tendering systems for residential or commercial projects.

Knowledge of financial and business administration principles, and factors that determine the risks inherent in the organisation's range of construction types, is required. Ability to identify and interpret strategic information which could affect the organisation's financial viability and direct personnel effectively is essential.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Quantify and qualify factors to be included in the organisational tendering system.

1.1. Strategic economic and social factors impacting on the organisation are quantified and qualified.

1.2. Range and scope of activities to be undertaken by the organisation and their impact are strategically quantified and qualified.

1.3. Strategic operational and financial structures within the organisation are reviewed and qualified regarding their information needs.

2. Establish and implement tendering system in the organisation.

2.1. Design and development of the organisational estimating and tendering system are facilitated and implemented in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements.

2.2. Strategic criteria for personnel and processes concerned with estimating and tendering are established and disseminated.

2.3. Endorsement of senior management for implementation of the system is obtained.

2.4. Staff with the necessary expertise and industry knowledge to excel at the tasks involved are appointed.

3. Establish and implement a tendering quality control system.

3.1. Appropriate financial structures which underpin the tendering process are identified and applied.

3.2. Review and feedback system using company project records and performance criteria is facilitated and implemented.

4. Develop and implement a client feedback system.

4.1. Communication system to enable effective contact with clients is established and implemented.

4.2. Client feedback system based on price, performance, progress and other strategic factors is planned and strategically implemented.

5. Establish a recording and evaluation system.

5.1. Tender recording system which meets organisational needs for ongoing evaluation of tender performance is designed and implemented.

5.2. Strategic balances and checks which enable the ongoing maintenance of quality of the estimating and tendering system are developed and implemented.

Required skills

Required skills for this unit are:

apply numeracy skills to workplace requirements

communication skills to:

appoint staff

enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand

obtain senior management endorsement

read and interpret documents from a variety of sources

seek feedback

use and interpret non-verbal communication

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

written skills to complete relevant documentation

conceptualising and envisaging unique solutions to complex problems and situations

delegating tasks within specific functional guidelines

directing the activities of personnel involved in the estimating and tendering process

facilitating the implementation of new and modified systems

interpreting strategic and often ambiguous information and reaching logical and practical decisions

monitoring and overseeing the performance of systems and individuals involved in the process

technological skills to facilitate use of the organisation's software and office equipment.

Required knowledge

Required knowledge for this unit is:

appropriate sector of the building and construction industry and the nature of the contracts upon which its activities are based

factors to be considered in assessing the risk inherent in different types of building and construction projects

financial and business administration principles commensurate with organisational needs

human resource practices and the industry's industrial relations climate and practices

relevant state or territory building and construction codes, standards and regulations

socioeconomic and political factors which determine the climate in that sector of the building and construction industry.

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

This unit of competency could be assessed by effective development and implementation of an estimating and tendering system for an organisation.

This unit of competency can be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate construction workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:

implement an effective estimating and tendering system, supported and directed by strong and decisive leadership

develop conceptual and strategic problem solving and systems

implement management practices which result in high level staff productivity

interact effectively with personnel within and external to the organisation

communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with senior management, employees, clients and regulatory authorities

comply with legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

suitable project work applicable to the building and construction process

appropriate equipment, materials and documentation to comply with OHS legislation and other organisational policies

related learning resources in support of the underpinning knowledge and skills acquisition required by this unit of competency.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

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.

Tendering system factors include:

legislative and regulatory requirements and codes of practice

market rates, trends and technological improvements and variations

materials and labour cost determination

range of contracts employed by the organisation

standard organisational documentation

tendering methods, processes and timeframes

timeframes and scheduling arrangements.

Strategic criteria for personnel and processes concerned with estimating and tendering include:

analysis and revision of data

critical incident analysis and reporting

risk management

scheduling and planning for contingencies.

Financial structures which underpin the tendering process include:

accounting methods and systems

calculation and apportioning of overheads and margins

subcontracting and organisational contracting rates.

Review and feedback system includes:

critical path development and analysis

feedback loops

internal and external client review and feedback systems

personnel and system review and evaluation processes

programmed and critical incident evaluation meetings.

Communication system includes:

phone, facsimile and email systems

handwritten and word-processed reports and briefing notes

internal and external memoranda

face to face communication.

Tender recording system includes:

day logs and diaries

financial, labour and materials recording and inventory systems

manual and computer-based data systems.

Unit sector

Construction

Nil

This unit contains employability skills.