This unit of competency supports the work of those involved in developing and implementing strategic facilities management plans.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Establish facilities management requirements.

1.1 Facilities management performance needs are determined and confirmed as required in consultation with relevant people.

1.2 Risk assessment of facilities management outcomes is conducted and assessed according to industry and organisational policies and procedures.

1.3 Relevant industry benchmarks are analysed to assess expected performance of assets in varying market conditions.

1.4 Applicable industry, organisational and legislative requirements are interpreted to establish user, contractual and legal compliance for facilities performance.

2Prepare plan.

2.1 Facilities management plan including aims and objectives is prepared in appropriate format for dissemination to relevant people.

2.2 Quality assurance goals and strategies are established according to facilities management plan.

2.3 Monitoring and reporting arrangements for facilities management plan are determined in line with client requirements.

2.4 Life cycle analysis is undertaken and capital investment strategies are planned.

3Organise resources and support processes.

3.1 Financial, physical and human resource requirements are organised according to facilities management plan.

3.2 Information relating to implementation of facilities management plan is distributed using established communication channels.

3.3 Reliable management methods are used, making efficient use of time and resources.

3.4 Roles and responsibilities associated with implementation of facilities management plan are clearly defined and documented.

4Review, evaluate and modify facilities management plan.

4.1 Facilities management plan is reviewed and evaluated in consultation with relevant people using appropriate feedback strategies.

4.2 Systematic review processes are established and suitable evaluation methods used to evaluate facilities management plan outcomes.

4.3 Evaluation results are reviewed and recommendations for modification of plan and corrective actions are incorporated as required into facilities management plan.

4.4 Information is securely maintained with due regard to client confidentiality, and legislative and organisational requirements.

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

Required skills:

analytical skills to interpret documentation, evaluate plan, analyse risk and estimate costings and budget needs

communication skills to include relevant people in the planning process, discuss issues that may impact on others and receive feedback

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

interpersonal skills to obtain feedback that enables a review and evaluation of plan and to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and varying physical and mental abilities

leadership skills to take a leading role in a variety of situations and pursue new challenges and opportunities

literacy skills to access and interpret relevant information and prepare required documentation and information for those involved in implementation activities

problem solving skills to identify potential barriers to implementation of the plan and establish contingencies

research skills to collect reliable and valid information and match forecasting models and techniques with specific asset or facility requirements

technical skills to design facilities or asset management plan, schedule tasks and report outcomes.

Required knowledge and understanding:

building services and operation methods and practices

financial analysis and forecasting principles

impact analysis and investment scenario planning

industry benchmarks for maintenance procedures

industry performance benchmarks, including use and application of value analysis and benchmarking techniques

long-range and annual facility planning techniques and practices

organisational and professional procedures, ethical practices and business standards

organisational quality systems, such as recording systems and strategic planning processes

principles and practices of performance measurement, including review and evaluation procedures, processes and techniques

principles and processes of objective setting

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.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed through practical demonstration of developing and implementing a facilities management plan. 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:

conducting a life cycle assessment and planning appropriate investment and disposal strategies for incorporation into facilities management plan

determining facilities and asset management requirements using industry benchmarks and risk assessment strategies

evaluating the facilities management plan and making recommendations for immediate action or modification of the plan

identifying resource requirements, communicating roles and responsibilities and designing an implementation strategy for the plan

knowledge of organisation's practices, ethical standards and legislative requirements associated with developing and implementing facilities management plans

preparing a facilities management plan incorporating quality systems and reporting procedures.

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.

Facilities may include:

car parking

child care centres

community facilities

educational facilities

meeting places

offices

security facilities

sport and recreation venues.

Relevant people may include:

agents

clients

colleagues

designated OHS representatives

emergency personnel

engineers and technicians

government personnel

installers

legal representatives

members of industry associations

property owners

site personnel

subcontractors

supervisors

technical experts

tenants

tradespeople.

Industry benchmarks may relate to:

discounted cash flows

employment rates

industry association performance index

inflation rate

internal rates of return

life cycle costings

published vacancy factors

tenancy mix.

Assets may be static or dynamic and include:

buildings

business and marketing contracts

equipment

furniture

goodwill

land

property

vehicles.

Organisational requirements may be outlined and reflected in:

access and equity principles and practice guidelines

business and performance plans

complaint and dispute resolution procedures

emergency and evacuation procedures

employer and employee rights and responsibilities

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

policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility

quality and continuous improvement processes and standards

quality assurance and procedure manuals

records and information systems and processes.

Legislative requirements may be outlined and reflected in:

Australian standards

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

consumer protection

environmental and zoning laws affecting access security, access and property use

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

OHS

environmental issues

EEO

industrial relations

anti-discrimination and diversity

home building requirements

local regulations and by-laws

privacy laws applying to owners, contractors and tenants

public health

quality assurance and certification requirements

strata, community and company titles

tenancy agreements

trade practices laws and guidelines.

Facilities management plan may include:

asset management process and practice recommendations

building and engineering maintenance plans

environment plans and guidelines

funding strategies

life cycle management plans

long-term capital and maintenance financial forecasts

performance benchmarking recommendations and measurement processes

planning guidelines

quality standards

risk management processes and practices

utilities plans and infrastructure such as energy, water and sewerage.

Quality assurance goals and strategies may relate to:

a formal structure against which progress can be evaluated

budgets and timetables that enable the commitment of resources at appropriate points in the project

compliance with Australian standards

contingency plans to cater for a change of corporate focus or significant project difficulties

continuous improvement strategies

mechanisms for involving a wide variety of interested parties or stakeholders in the project

procedures for monitoring and evaluating project outcomes and client satisfaction

reducing risk by anticipating, evaluating and developing strategies for the management of possible problems

reporting procedures and protocols.

Life cycle analysis may include:

computer modelling

examination of cash flows and other financial projections

quantitative and qualitative analysis

probability analysis

time series recognition.

Informationrelating to implementation of facilities management plan may include:

a formal structure against which progress can be evaluated

acquisition and disposal strategies

budgets and timetables that enable the commitment of resources at appropriate points

consultation strategies to involve stakeholders

contingency plans to cater for changes or significant difficulties

objectives, scope and expected benefits

quality assurance procedures

specifications

transition plans.

Communication channels may include:

direct line supervision paths

lateral supervision paths

organisational communication protocols and procedures

organisational networks.

Roles and responsibilities may be influenced by:

codes of conduct

job description and employment arrangements

organisational policies relevant to work role

skills, training and competencies

supervision and accountability requirements, including OHS

team structures.

Feedback strategies may include:

clients and their legal representatives

management and colleagues

documentation and reports

formal and informal communication

regular meetings.

Evaluation methods could be qualitative or quantitative and may relate to:

checklists

cost data analysis

expert and peer review

interviews

observation

questionnaires

review of quality assurance data.

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.