Broadcast engineers or senior broadcast technologists apply the skills and knowledge described in this unit, which covers the design of both television and radio facilities. They are responsible for working with clients to determine the best way of designing facilities that meet current needs and, wherever possible, anticipate future needs.

In addition to technical knowledge, people in this role require highly developed conceptual and planning skills. They must be good communicators, as effective liaison and negotiation with clients is essential. Employment could be on a contract basis or with companies that specialise in the design and installation of broadcasting facilities.

Note: To meet the requirements of this unit, candidates need to demonstrate competency in the design of facilities for either television or radio. The Required Skills and Knowledge section should be tailored accordingly.

CUFBRT402A Maintain broadcasting facilities and equipment

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Clarify design requirements

1. In consultation with relevant personnel, confirm overall objectives for proposed broadcasting facilities

2. Identify factors that may have an impact on how facilities are designed, including strategies for anticipating future needs

3. Canvass the market for complete solutions that could meet objectives

4. Research the range of equipment available and assess their suitability to meet requirements and their compatibility with existing systems or infrastructure if applicable

5. Discuss the range of possible solutions with clients and other relevant personnel and reach agreement on preferred approach

6. Document agreed approach and obtain sign-off from relevant personnel to proceed with detailed design specifications

Collaborate on determining design approach

7. In collaboration with relevant personnel, generate design options that are realistic in economic, user, service, timing and network integrity terms

8. Provide advice to clients on capital equipment purchases

9. Evaluate options and select the one that best meets project objectives, taking into account available budget

10. Discuss selected option with client and other relevant personnel and amend as required to incorporate client feedback

11. Prepare information, diagrams and equipment specifications to support agreed design option

12. Discuss design brief with personnel who will be involved in implementation and incorporate their ideas into overall approach

Finalise designs

13. Ensure that proposed activity complies with relevant regulatory and industry standards

14. Prepare design plans that specify work, equipment, personnel and materials required, as well as arrangements for contractors and equipment purchase or hire

15. Prepare detailed drawings and specifications to support design plans

16. Prepare documentation relating to installation/ modification, testing and ongoing operations and maintenance, and attach to design plans

17. Discuss and confirm additional requirements or modifications to design plans with relevant personnel

18. Obtain final sign-off on design plans from clients

19. Evaluate process of developing design plans, including own role in the process, and note areas for future improvement

20.

Required skills

communication, teamwork and literacy skills sufficient to:

interpret information from system drawings, equipment specifications and technical handbooks

liaise effectively with customers/clients, including ability to communicate technical terminology in plain English

prepare detailed design documentation and specifications in relation to broadcasting facilities

present design ideas for discussion and feedback from clients and team members

participate in negotiations about design solutions with clients and team members

planning and problem solving skills sufficient to:

research equipment and other options relevant to the design of broadcasting facilities and evaluate their suitability for specified design projects

identify the benefits, weaknesses and implications of different design solutions

plan for contingencies in the context of designing broadcasting facilities

propose design and installation solutions that are practicable and meet technical requirements

initiative and enterprise in the context of:

generating innovative ideas for the design of broadcasting facilities that meet or exceed client expectations

thinking laterally when developing concepts

maintaining design integrity

taking aesthetic and ergonomic considerations into account when designing broadcasting facilities

numeracy skills sufficient to:

take detailed measurements when preparing design documentation

interpret budgets and prepare costings

technical skills sufficient to:

produce technical drawings to support design concepts and plans

use standard word processing, spreadsheet, databases and presentation software applications

self-management skills sufficient to:

prioritise work tasks

meet deadlines

seek expert assistance as required

Required knowledge

industry knowledge, including:

structure of the broadcasting industry

roles and responsibilities of personnel and contractors in the broadcasting industry

impact of technological changes on design, installation and maintenance of broadcasting equipment and facilities

correct terminology, e.g. symbols, terminology and conventions used for electrical, mechanical and electronic drawings and specifications

regulatory and industry standards relevant to field of work (see range statement for examples)

product knowledge, e.g. manufacturer standards and specifications

sources of advice, information, and technical support

issues and challenges that arise in the context of designing broadcasting facilities

television standards, e.g. PAL, NTSC, SECAM, digital

formats and techniques for documenting the design of broadcasting facilities, including the level of detail required

principles and techniques of design in relation to broadcasting facilities

familiarity with current engineering and construction processes used to install broadcasting facilities

basic understanding of network operations and transmission facilities, sufficient to ensure that design plans take these factors into account

OHS legislation and regulations as they relate to the design and safe installation of broadcasting facilities

copyright legislation and regulations in relation to the protection of designs

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:

collaborative development of design plans for broadcasting facilities that:

meet client requirements

take account of budgetary and resource constraints

demonstrate attention to detail

knowledge of the regulatory environment in relation to the design and installation of broadcasting facilities

effective verbal and written communication skills

knowledge and application of research techniques in relation to designing and planning the installation of broadcasting facilities

collaborative approach to work.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

practical demonstration of skills through the design of broadcasting facilities for at least two projects/clients

access to enterprises/organisations that require the design of broadcasting facilities

access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required

use of culturally appropriate processes and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of learners and the work being performed.

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

evaluation of designs for broadcasting facilities documented by the candidate and their quality in terms of meeting project requirements

written or verbal questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit

case studies to assess ability to develop designs for different types of broadcasting facilities.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

BSBDES401A Generate design solutions

BSBDES502A Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief

BSBWRT401A Write complex documents.

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.

Relevant personnel may include:

architect

broadcast engineer

building personnel

client

designers

equipment operators

head of department

station manager

sub contracted personnel

supervisor

technical director

other technical/specialist personnel.

Factors may include:

aesthetics

availability of personnel

availability of resources

available budget

clients' future needs

disruption to broadcast services during installation

environmental considerations

ergonomics

functionality

installation environment

legislative/regulatory requirements, e.g.:

OHS considerations

building regulations

ongoing maintenance requirements

profile of people who will be using the facilities

technical considerations, e.g.:

network

existing equipment/infrastructure

timelines.

Equipment may include:

communication equipment, e.g. ISDN, RF links

display devices, e.g. monitor

line equipment, e.g. audio/video DAs

production video and audio equipment, e.g. sound/vision mixer

record/replay machines, e.g. cameras, audio recorders.

Systems may include:

analogue

computer/IT

digital.

Relevant regulatory and industry standards may include:

ACMA technical standards

Australian and international standards

Australian building codes and regulations

confined spaces regulations

copyright

environmental legislation

fire regulations

heritage legislation

industry codes of practice

noise abatement

OHS

trade practices legislation.

Drawings and specifications may include:

bay layouts

detailed component drawings

equipment schematics

general assembly drawings

installation drawings

modification drawings

program production drawings

room/building layouts

sub-assembly drawings

systems block diagrams

technical manuals

wiring/circuit diagrams.

Unit sector

Media and entertainment production - broadcast technology

This unit contains employability skills.