PSPREG605
Manage major investigations

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to monitor the progress of major investigations and direct or redirect actions to achieve objectives within legal and resource limitations.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application

This unit applies to individuals in a range of regulatory work environments who undertake ongoing assessment of the progress of major investigations in order to better direct resources to achieve required outcomes


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Assess investigation priorities and plans

1.1 The progress of major investigations is regularly monitored to ensure tasks are completed and operations are on track to meet objectives.

1.2 Deficiencies and areas requiring further action are identified and addressed in line with overall investigation planning.

1.3 Deficiencies and remedial actions undertaken are documented in the plan as the investigation progresses.

1.4 Feedback on the progress of investigations is communicated to contributing personnel, management, clients and stakeholders at regular intervals that vary according to the organisational protocols for each group.

2. Determine and report investigation status

2.1 Investigations are continually assessed against competing investigations or demands, to determine priorities and monitor resource and budgetary expenditure.

2.2 Investigations are strategically assessed at regular intervals to ensure that objectives are achievable within resource and legal constraints.

2.3 Critical decisions, to terminate, re-prioritise, or change the focus of investigations as a result of strategic assessments, are documented in investigation plans and reported in accordance with operational protocols.

3. Monitor the effectiveness of participating agencies

3.1 Organisational responsibilities for resource/budgetary allocations are monitored and reviewed to facilitate achievement of objectives.

3.2 Communication and coordination between agencies is evaluated and modified where required.

3.3 Tasks performed by participating agencies are reviewed and modified, if required, to maximise use of expertise and make effective use of resources.

4. Evaluate and report at conclusion of major investigations

4.1 The outcomes and issues from major investigations are analysed and conclusions and recommendations are formulated and reported in accordance with the protocols for multi-agency operations.

4.2 The effectiveness of agency alliances and partnerships is reviewed at the completion of investigations.

4.3 Recommendations arising from the review of agency alliances are documented and forwarded to respective managers, clients and stakeholders.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

obtain and provide information and feedback on the progress of investigations

relate to persons from diverse backgrounds and multiple agencies

report on outcomes and issues from major investigations

planning and organising skills to:

determine priorities and monitor resource allocation and usage

coordinate crucial and diverse clients, law enforcement agencies and stakeholders

strategically assess situations and make critical decisions that will affect the operation of investigations

literacy skills to:

read complex legislation and interpret operational protocols for major investigations

modify investigation plans and document assessment results and decisions

self-management skills to:

respond to changing circumstances

manage resources

apply reasoning and logical analysis, problem solving and decision making to direct or re-direct the focus of major investigations

technical skills to use:

scheduling tools

information management systems

case management systems

numeracy skills for scheduling and budgets

Required knowledge

the role of investigations in achieving the organisation’s strategic compliance objectives

legislation relevant to the jurisdiction/s involved in investigations

investigation management systems

jurisdictional and organisational requirements of agencies, clients, and stakeholders

operational priorities

macro environmental impact upon investigations of serious offences, including government, policy, political, and community interests

access and deployment mechanisms to ensure optimal economy and efficiency in the use of human, physical and financial resources

opportunities, risks and constraint assessment which may hamper investigations

decision making processes and chain of command in major investigations

review and evaluation processes

Evidence Required

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.

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

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms consistency of performance in managing major investigations.

This will include evidence of:

directing the progress of at least two actual or simulated major investigations on separate occasions or for different situations/contexts

at least one actual or simulated investigation where strategic assessment results in a significant change of focus or reprioritisation of the investigation

adhering to legal, ethical and organisational requirements for major investigations

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to a real or simulated workplace environment that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered while managing major investigations, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine.

Access is required to resources such as:

applicable legislation, policies and procedures

case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of requirements for situations likely to be encountered

resources generally present in an operational environment where major investigations might occur

investigation management/case management technology

Method of assessment

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit of competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:

case studies

demonstration

observation

written or oral questions

scenarios

simulation or role plays

authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:

people with disabilities

people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

women

young people

older people

people in rural and remote locations


Range Statement

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.

Major investigations may be:

declared to be major investigations in accordance with organisational policy and guidelines

dependent on the estimated time to complete them, resources required and complexity of each investigation

Monitoring may use:

scheduling tools

Gantt charts

software or manual systems

electronic case management systems

Deficiencies may occur in investigations because of:

budgetary/resource constraints

legal obligations

organisational policy requirements

Contributing personnel may include:

support services

technical services

Clients may include:

the persons or organisations requesting investigations proceed on their behalf

internal or external clients

individuals

groups of people representing various levels of management

investigative groups

other sections of the agency/organisation

multi-agency and multi-organisational groups

Stakeholders are:

other people or organisations (not being the client) who may legitimately have an interest in the progress and results of the investigation

internal and/or external to the organisation

Strategic assessment involves:

identification of emerging issues

time frames

budgetary/resource/legal constraints

new methodologies for analysis of impact on investigation

Critical decisions may be influenced by:

financial and physical constraints

available resources

legal limitations

additional intelligence

re-focusing of priorities

Effective use of resources requires:

regular review of tasks performed by each agency

making the best use of available resources

minimal wastage

objectives to be achieved in a timely, cost-effective manner

Outcomes and issues may include:

degree of success of investigations in meeting their objectives

contribution of participating agencies/organisations

satisfaction of participating agencies with the operation and outcome of investigations

observations on the effectiveness of alliances and partnerships

trends observed

intelligence gaps

time constraints

duplication of effort

resource allocation issues

wastage

command and control issue

The effectiveness of agency alliances and partnerships may be evidenced through:

the productiveness of the partnership’s ability to work harmoniously in a multi-agency, multi-organisational environment

cooperative sharing of resources to achieve investigation objectives


Sectors

Regulatory


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.