Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to oversee the development of tenders and the subsequent awarding and management of contracts for the completion of a building project on behalf of a client. The effective, efficient and transparent awarding and management of external contracts are required, together with the technical skills to ensure the building is constructed on time, to budget and to specification. The need for high levels of communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills together with a detailed understanding of the construction and quality control processes are required for effective performance in this unit.
The unit supports the management of the tendering, contract and building process following the completion of the design function for projects, including construction Type A buildings as defined in the Building Code of Australia (BCA)section of the National Construction Code (NCC). These projects are of three storeys or more for Class 2, 3 and 9 buildings, and of four storeys or more for Class 5, 6, 7 and 8 buildings. Refer to the BCA section of the NCC to confirm current definitions. Large and complex building design projects may be new buildings, alterations and additions, and conversions of residential, commercial, industrial or public buildings. The unit applies to building designers who scope and manage the initiation and planning of design projects.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency in some States. Relevant state and territory regulatory authorities should be consulted to confirm those requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. | ||
1. | Prepare a tender on behalf of client. | 1.1. | Client is consulted to negotiate the budget and costs to the client for services provided by the building designer. |
1.2. | Form of building contract is determined suitable for size and level of the project being undertaken. | ||
1.3. | Client is consulted to determine the budget, timeframe and related parameters for the letting of a tender to complete the construction of the project. | ||
1.4. | Client expectations of role, level of service | ||
1.5. | Tender is prepared that addresses requirements for the build. | ||
1.6. | Legal advice is sought to finalise preparation of tender. | ||
1.7. | Tender is let with steps put in place to secure a competitive number of responses. | ||
2. | Oversee the selection of the contractor. | 2.1. | Tender submissions are reviewed against predetermined evaluation criteria. |
2.2. | Advice is provided to client regarding strengths and weaknesses of the various tender bids. | ||
2.3. | Costing advice is sought as required from a quantity surveyor or other professional. | ||
2.4. | Professional advice is provided to client to conclude negotiations with preferred contractor. | ||
3. | Manage completion of building project. | 3.1. | Contracted builder is consulted to establish business relationships and processes for monitoring construction completion within required timeframe. |
3.2. | Constraints and potential risks of project are monitored and managed to ensure best outcomes for client. | ||
3.3. | Routine monitoring of project progress is undertaken to ensure quality and timeliness of the build. | ||
3.4. | Clarification of project plans and specifications is provided to the builder as required. | ||
3.5. | Changes to plans and specifications are undertaken with the consent of the client as project progresses. | ||
4. | Manage completion of contract. | 4.1. | Costs associated with completion of project are monitored and reported to client in a timely manner. |
4.2. | Progress and other agreed payments are authorised according to performance requirements of contract. | ||
4.3. | Variations to contract are proposed to client as required and negotiated with builder. | ||
4.4. | Disputes or concerns regarding quality, cost or timeliness of project completion are investigated, negotiated and mediated as required. | ||
4.5. | Legal, accounting or other professional advice is sought in order to ensure client’s best interests are protected during completion of contract. | ||
4.6. | Reporting requirements are met during the conduct of the project. | ||
4.7. | Steps to finalise contract are taken according to contract requirements. | ||
5. | Finalise building project. | 5.1. | Correction of identified building defects is negotiated with builder. |
5.2. | Corrective actions to address defects are monitored and reported to client. | ||
5.3. | Final inspection of building is made and report is prepared for client. | ||
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy the requirements of the elements, performance criteria, foundation skills and range of conditions of this unit.
The person must develop tender documentation to support at least two different construction Type A building design projects for:
one building design project of three storeys or more for a Class 2, 3 or 9 building
one building design project of four storeys or more for a Class 5, 6, 7 or 8 building.
In doing the above, the person must:
evaluate tender submissions for at least two large and complex projects, including one construction Type A building design project
document the management of at least two contracts.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
building methods and material to:
monitor progress and quality of work
negotiate variations to contract
business processes and requirements relating to above projects that support contract management, including professional indemnity insurance
compliance requirements that apply to the two projects specified in the performance evidence, including:
Australian standards
Building Code of Australia (BCA) deemed-to-satisfy (DTS) and alternative solution requirements
environmental and sustainability requirements, including:
energy efficiency
fire resistance, including resistance to bushfire attack
Building Acts
legislation
planning restrictions
regulatory limitations
scope of authority and procedures for implementation of:
contract administration
contract management
organisational resource requirements to undertake large and complex projects
regulatory requirements that may limit the contract management role
risk management processes
tender selection processes.
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
computer with internet access and business software currently used in drafting, architectural and building design practice
telephone
contingencies:
one instance of defective work
specifications:
BCA and Australian standards
legislation, regulations, codes and other compliance documentation relating to each building design project specified in the performance evidence
information from two clients sufficient to prepare requests for tender or similar information for the two Type A projects specified in the performance evidence
relationship with client:
liaison with the client is required.
Timeframe:
according to client specifications.
Assessor requirements
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.
Foundation Skills
This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Skill | Performance feature |
Learning skills to: | identify reliable sources of information to research compliance requirements. |
Numeracy skills to: | evaluate pricing of tenders. |
Oral communication skills to: | communicate at a project management level with clients, colleagues and contacts conclude and manage contracts mediate client concerns and disputes with contractor. |
Reading skills to: | interpret complex information, including contracts, legislation, regulations, codes and standards. |
Writing skills to: | prepare accurate and complete documentation for a request for tender. |
Initiative and enterprise skills to: | analyse tender responses against set criteria identify suitable external expertise and contractors. |
Planning and organising skills to: | manage documents manage time, including planning and prioritising work manage and monitor the conduct of the build and performance against contract requirements. |
Range Statement
This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. | |
Budget and costs must include: | business administration and management costs business insurances, including professional indemnity insurance professional fees to lawyers and accountants staff salaries and associated on-costs subcontractor costs technology costs. |
Role and level of service | authorisation of progress payments conduct of regular site visits participation in regular project meetings management of the entire project negotiation with builder on behalf of client performance of defect checks and final acceptance of the build provision of advice within agreed limits. |
Professional advice | accountant lawyer planning consultant quantity surveyor. |
Constraints and potential risks that must be considered include: | defects due to poor workmanship difficulties inherent to site difficulties associated with nature or complexity of project itself work health and safety (WHS) reliance on gaining input from external professionals in a timely manner requirement to operate within a complex and rigid regulatory and compliance system time delays due to weather, or material or service availability. |
Sectors
Building design