This unit applies to individuals who are responsible for the overall management of complex projects in the context of a broader job role. Specialist project management units and qualifications are found in the Business Services Training Package.

In the context of this unit a complex project is defined as a project that involves:

need for a comprehensive and multifaceted project plan

need for a formal internal or external communications strategy

dedicated and diverse project budget

multiple administrative components

multiple operational components

wide range of stakeholders

project operations team.

Project management occurs across the full spectrum of business and community activity and may be extremely diverse in nature. Some examples where project management will occur include events, product development initiatives, research projects and projects related to the introduction of new workplace systems or technologies.

Senior personnel and managers undertake project management at this level.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Confirm project.

1.1

Confirm project objectives and scope in consultation with appropriate stakeholders.

1.2

Evaluate financial viability of project through analysis of key factors.

1.3

Determine and develop a resource strategy for project.

1.4

Confirm administrative structure for project.

2

Plan project.

2.1

Develop an integrated project management plan using appropriate project management tools and communicate plan to appropriate colleagues.

2.2

Allocate project responsibilities in agreement with others, and clearly communicate responsibilities to all involved.

2.3

Identify key project milestones and communicate these to persons involved.

2.4

Plan internal and external communications and public relations and marketing approaches together with appropriate colleagues.

2.5

Consult and reach agreement on suitable project evaluation methods.

3

Administer and monitor project.

3.1

Implement project strategies and monitor them in conjunction with project team members.

3.2

Provide support and assistance to team members as required.

3.3

Use effective interpersonal communication to build trust and respect within the project team.

3.4

Assess progress against project goals and review progress in consultation with project team members.

3.5

Determine the need for additional project resources and take action accordingly.

3.6

Implement financial control systems and monitor them according to project guidelines.

3.7

Provide regular reports on project progress to appropriate colleagues and customers.

3.8

Complete the project within agreed timelines.

4

Evaluate project.

4.1

Assess effectiveness of project at specified stages, using agreed evaluation methods.

4.2

Take account of agreed goals and priorities when carrying out a project evaluation.

4.3

Involve project team members, appropriate colleagues and customers in the project evaluation.

4.4

Incorporate evaluation results into ongoing project management.

4.5

Share information from project evaluation with appropriate colleagues and incorporate information into future planning.

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

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

planning and organisational skills to allow for the complete management of a complex project and all its facets

problem-solving skills to allow for the development of contingency management plans and to anticipate a wide range of unpredictable problems and operational challenges

communication and leadership skills to lead and motivate a project team effectively, and to liaise and negotiate with a wide range of diverse stakeholders

literacy skills to interpret and develop a wide range of documentation dealing with complex ideas and management issues

numeracy skills to manage budgets.

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

project management processes, the project life-cycle and relationship between project stages

administrative structures and processes required for successful project planning and implementation, including the range of documentation required to support the project

in-depth knowledge of nature of the project being managed, including internal and external issues to be considered

risk management processes and issues applicable to project in general and to projects in a particular workplace context

OHS requirements that may impact on project management

project planning and control procedures.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to effectively plan, administer, monitor and evaluate a tourism or hospitality-based project, including evidence of skills in planning, administration, financial management and leadership

ability to apply understanding of the critical aspects of effective project management

management of a multifaceted, complex industry-based project that reflects real industry practice and is completed within a specified timeframe.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

involvement of a project team for whom the candidate is a leader.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

project to plan an event or function

project to undertake a reform or redevelopment of a work aspect

written or oral questions to assess underpinning knowledge related to project management

review of portfolios of evidence relating to workplace experience, such as project plans, budgets, records of coordination and implementation of project phases and milestones, records of project reports.

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

Assessing employability skills

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Project objectives and scope may relate to:

overall business objectives

community or industry development objectives

specific outcomes required

levels of resourcing to be applied

how project relates to other internal and external projects and activities.

Stakeholders may include:

internal or external customers

organising committees

management

funding bodies

regulatory authorities

industry associations.

Key factors to determine financial viability of the project may include:

availability of short and long-term funding

cash flow issues

market feasibility

level of financial risk involved

cost-benefit analysis

impact on other aspects of operation

break-even points and profitability.

Administrative structure for the project may involve:

management

secretariat

consultants

contractors and suppliers

steering committee

advisory and reference groups

consultative groups.

Project management plan may include:

goals and outcomes

selection or tendering process

personnel

budget

stages

timeframes

key milestones

internal and external communication processes and channels

sponsors

risk management and contingency plans

quality assurance

consultation strategies

reporting requirements

marketing.

Project management tools may include:

project management software

planning tools, such as PERT and Gantt charts, and critical path.

Key project milestones may relate to:

stages

outcomes

reporting requirements.

Public relations and marketing approaches are those directly relevant to the project, including:

providing advice and information to clients, funding bodies and stakeholders

developing and publishing reports

developing and distributing brochures, flyers and other marketing materials

communicating to public and stakeholders via mass media.

Evaluation methods may be internal or external and may include:

customer and stakeholder feedback

client or funding body evaluation

surveys and questionnaires

pilots and trials

long-term monitoring strategies.

Support and assistance may include:

informal coaching and feedback

formal training opportunities

moderation and joint planning sessions

regular meetings and briefings

representing the team's interests in wider forums

additional resources.

Financial control systems may include:

established organisational systems

project-specific systems.

Sector

Cross-Sector

Management and Leadership

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 is packaged will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.