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

This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate construction workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

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 the ability to:

locate, interpret and apply relevant information, standards and specifications

comply with OHS regulations and state and territory legislation applicable to the design function

comply with organisational policies and procedures, including quality requirements

communicate and work effectively and safely with others

design a residential structure, including:

interpreting and confirming a client brief

producing, using a CAD system, a first draft design

finalising the design and presenting it, in both plan and elevation form, to the client.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

an induction procedure and requirement

realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the mandatory task requirements

relevant specifications and work instructions

tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices

support materials appropriate to activity

workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies

material safety data sheets

research resources, including industry related systems information.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires 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 on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge

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

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

Required skills

Required skills for this unit are:

communication skills to:

enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand

present design plan and negotiate and agree on plan with supervisor

read and interpret:

documentation from a variety of sources

drawings and specifications

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals

written skills to prepare an outline action plan and develop and finalise a design

creative design, drawing and drafting skills, including use of drafting equipment

intiative and enterprise skills to identify and accurately report to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials

numeracy skills to apply measurements and calculations, including basic calculations of height, areas, volumes and grades

planning and organising skills to:

ensure coordinated development of sketches and drawings

plan and set out work

teamwork skills to work with others to action tasks and relate to people from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

technology skills to operate computer-aided design (CAD) software systems.

Required knowledge

Required knowledge for this unit is:

basic calculations of height, areas, volumes and grades

CAD software systems and user techniques

commonly used construction terminology, symbols and abbreviations

commonly used residential construction materials and their applications

features of plans and elevations, including orientation, direction, scale, key, contours, symbols and abbreviations

fundamentals of design in terms of space, access, flow and function

impact on design of environmental requirements

impact on design of quality requirements

project quality requirements

techniques for reading and interpreting plans.

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.

Work health and safety is to be in accordance with legislation, regulations, codes of practice, organisational safety policies and procedures, and project safety plan and may include:

emergency procedures related to the design function, such as extinguishing fires

personal protective equipment prescribed under legislation, regulation and workplace policies and practices

state or territory legislation and regulations and organisational safety policies and procedures, which include:

ergonomics

use of materials and equipment

workplace environment and safety.

Scope of work includes:

CAD software that accepts and manipulates data to present design options and outcomes, with results possibly represented in two or three dimensional form

client brief that is a definitive and documented description of the user requirements in terms of dimensions, services, construction materials and other defined requirements

plans that include a title panel, amendment detail, orientation, legend information, industry symbols and abbreviations, material information and relevant finishes/standards of work

services in the client brief that include power or plumbing systems

simple domestic or residential structure, such as a barbecue area, deck, pergola or shed.

Information includes:

CAD software packages and related user information

diagrams or sketches

instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel

manufacturer specifications and instructions for major equipments

maps

memos

regulatory and legislative requirements pertaining to design of residential structures

relevant Australian standards

safe work procedures related to design work

verbal, written and graphical instructions.

Quality requirements include relevant regulations, including:

Australian standards

internal company quality policy and standards

manufacturer specifications, where specified.

Statutory and regulatory authorities include:

commonwealth, state or territory, and local authorities administering applicable Acts, regulations and codes of practice.