This unit of competency supports the work of those involved in developing design briefs for the utilisation of space.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Determine space utilisation requirements.

1.1 Consultative processes are used to confirm occupancy requirements and retain specialist property personnel according to organisational requirements.

1.2 Project processes, objectives and time lines are negotiated and agreed with relevant people according to organisational requirements.

1.3 Relevant documentation and legislative requirements are sourced and reviewed to identify critical requirements of occupancy process.

1.4 Space occupancy plan is developed detailing suitable activities that reflect client needs.

1.5 Situations requiring specialist advice are identified and support is sought as required according to organisational requirements.

2Establish design concepts.

2.1 Design concepts are established based on examination of research and feasibility data according to organisational requirements.

2.2 Design specifications are prepared according to client needs and organisational and legislative requirements.

2.3 Relevant codes and standards are identified and examined to ensure compliance with design concepts.

2.4 Concept plan is produced that summarises design recommendations and design limitations according to organisational requirements.

2.5 Design recommendations are developed that include a review of user requirements in order to determine the human environmental needs.

3Prepare design brief.

3.1 Design brief is developed that includes clear and concise documentation of information sufficient to allow design plans for space to be completed.

3.2 Business equipment and technology are used to compile and prepare relevant information in a suitable format according to organisational requirements.

3.3 Draft design brief is presented to relevant people to ensure information is accurate and meets project requirements.

3.4 Feedback is sought and where appropriate incorporated into the design brief according to organisational requirements.

3.5 Final design brief is lodged within designated time lines and copies are securely maintained according to organisational and legislative requirements.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

analytical skills to interpret documentation, assess risk, estimate costings and budget needs, and provide cost analysis applied to space occupation

communication skills to negotiate client and user requirements, and communicate problems and delays

computing skills to access the internet and web pages, prepare and complete online forms, lodge electronic documents and search online databases

interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and varying physical and mental abilities

literacy skills to interpret written and oral information

organisational skills to plan and schedule time lines and objectives and to manage project processes

technical skills to use software for planning and managing space (e.g. CAD and CAFM), use planning and scheduling software, and develop design brief.

Required knowledge and understanding:

basic building services and elements

building and workplace standards for space use

building construction practice

building control legislation, codes and relevant Australian standards

codes of practice

limitations of work role, responsibility and professional abilities

OHS issues and requirements

organisational and professional procedures, ethical practices and business standards

planning requirements

relevant federal and state or territory legislation and local government regulations related to:

anti-discrimination

consumer protection

environmental issues

equal employment opportunity (EEO)

financial probity

franchise and business structures

industrial relations

OHS

privacy

property sales, leasing and management

space use design principles.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed through practical demonstration of developing design briefs for the utilisation of space. Targeted written (including alternative formats where necessary) or verbal questioning to assess the candidate's underpinning knowledge would provide additional supporting evidence of competence. The demonstration and questioning would include collecting evidence of the candidate's knowledge and application of ethical standards and relevant federal, and state or territory legislation and regulations. This assessment may be carried out in a simulated or workplace environment.

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:

developing a design brief using appropriate technology which incorporates feedback received from relevant people

knowledge of organisation's practices, ethical standards and legislative requirements associated with developing design briefs for the utilisation of space

reviewing and preparing a design concept plan that incorporates detailed recommendations on design costings, limitations and human environmental needs

sourcing relevant documentation and negotiating with relevant parties to determine occupancy requirements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Resource implications for assessment include:

a registered provider of assessment services

assessment materials and tools

candidate special requirements

competency standards

cost and time considerations

suitable assessment venue and equipment

workplace documentation.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence require 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 of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence

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

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be current and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.

In all cases activity and must include evidence relating to each of the where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in such a manner as is appropriate to the language and literacy levels of the candidate and any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

Consultative processes may include:

face-to-face meetings

telephone, facsimile and written communication.

Relevant people may include:

architects

builders

clients

management and colleagues

consultants

legal representatives

members of industry associations

principals

service providers

users.

Organisational requirements may be outlined and reflected in:

access and equity principles and practice guidelines

business and performance plans

complaint and dispute resolution procedures

goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes

legal and ethical requirements and codes of practice

mission statements and strategic plans

OHS policies, procedures and programs

policies and procedures in relation to client service

quality and continuous improvement processes and standards

quality assurance and procedure manuals.

Relevant documentation may include information relating to:

agreements

building codes

cash flow restrictions

certificates of occupancy

contracts

identification of formal and informal barriers and borders

leases

legislative constraints

licences

overall cost ceiling

permits

plans

specifications

time constraints.

Legislative requirements may be outlined and reflected in:

Australian standards, and quality assurance and certification requirements

award and enterprise agreements

codes of practice covering the market sector and industry, financial transactions, taxation, environment, construction, land use, native title, zoning, utilities use (water, gas and electricity), and contract or common law

home building requirements

privacy requirements

relevant federal, and state or territory legislation that affects organisational operation, including:

anti-discrimination and diversity

environmental issues

EEO

industrial relations

OHS

strata, community and company titles

tenancy agreements

trade practices laws and guidelines.

Space may include:

buildings

car parking

facilities

land

lettable areas

properties.

Clients may include:

company management

government and legal instruments or agencies

institutions

internal and external property groups

owner-occupiers

private investors

property agents

property owners

users.

Specialist advice may be sought from:

architects

builders

communication providers

designers

engineers

government officials

investment consultants

members of industry associations

planners

real estate agents

solicitors

technical experts

utilities providers

valuers.

Concept plan may include:

fire precaution facilities

floor plan

services availability.

Design limitations may relate to:

available facilities

floor layouts

government planning criteria

legal constraints

structure uses

tenant mix

tenant requirements.

Users may include:

bankers

clients

company boards

fund managers

institutions

internal and external property groups

owner-occupiers

private investors

tenants.

Human environment may include:

common areas

gardens

natural light

rest areas

toilets.

Business equipment and technology may include:

computers

data storage devices

email

facsimile machines

internet, extranet and intranet

photocopiers

printers

scanners

software applications, such as databases and word applications.

Feedback may be sought from:

clients and their legal representatives

supervisors and colleagues

formal and informal performance appraisals

workplace assessment.

Unit sector

Property development, sales and management

Property operations and development

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged, will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.