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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

interpret design parameters, performance targets and system variables of plant, equipment or process to be simulated

advise client based on discipline knowledge, OHS and regulatory standards

research sustainability implications, computer simulation design applications, mathematical and computer simulation models, methods for sensitivity estimation and optimisation to ensure reliability, validity and robustness of simulation, simulation software, programming and validation techniques

determine OHS, regulatory and risk management requirements related to plant

investigate and measure to confirm the parameters for required design

select appropriate simulation model

model, optimise and analyse model sensitivity

generate and evaluate a range of solutions using appropriate innovation and creativity for feasibility against design criteria

design simulated plant

communicate, negotiate and review with stakeholders and client throughout process to obtain agreement on proposal and sign-off on simulated design

document design with files, drawings, specifications and instructions.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, that is, the candidate is not in productive work, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.

Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure its correct interpretation and application.

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Required skills

Required skills include:

determining design parameters, performance targets and system variables of plant, equipment or process to be simulated, including OHS, regulatory and risk management requirements

interpreting parameters to the brief or contract

researching latest trends and techniques in:

computer simulation models, methods for sensitivity estimation and optimisation to ensure reliability, validity and robustness of simulation, simulation software, and programming and validation techniques

reverse engineering

sustainability implications and implications for computer simulation design applications

selecting appropriate simulation model

modelling, optimising and analysing model sensitivity

generating and evaluating a range of solutions using appropriate innovation and creativity for feasibility against design criteria

investigating faults in existing designs and arriving at solutions

designing simulated plant

communicating, negotiating and reviewing with stakeholders and client throughout process to obtain agreement on proposal and sign-off on simulated design

documenting design with files, drawings, specifications and instructions

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

design methods, research and investigations methods

techniques for:

continuous improvement

problem solving and decision making

root cause analysis (RCA) or failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) or design review based on failure mode (DRBFM), and Pareto analysis

computer simulation packages

advantages of design simulation, such as development time, low cost and minimum resources

disadvantages of design simulations, such as level of uncertainty, and cost of making decisions based on invalid simulations

simulation applications:

physical simulation using physical objects as analogues of another reality

interactive simulation or ‘human in the loop’ simulations (e.g. space experiences, flight and driving simulation, medical procedure training etc.)

computer architecture simulation

training simulation

business performance

plant or process design

mathematical models:

linear and non-linear

deterministic and stochastic

steady-state and dynamic

lumped and distributed parameter models

computer simulation types:

continuous and discrete

deterministic and stochastic

local or distributed simulations

object-oriented physical modelling (OOPM) simulation

model variable types:

state variables, constants and random variables

inputs, outputs and decisions variables

sensitivity estimation and optimisation

graphical techniques for visual model building

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.

Client

Client may be:

internal or external to the designer’s organisation

Computer simulations

A computer simulation is a computer programme or network of computers that attempts to simulate an abstract model of a particular system in order to gain insight into the operation of the system or operator characteristics

Typical applications include:

process simulations

performance analysis and optimisation

fault simulations

machine simulations, stress, deflection and heating

environmental modelling

mathematical design modelling

hydraulic system modelling

virtual engineering

Parameters to the design brief

The design brief may include the design of new equipment or fault analysis, rectification or modification to an existing design. Parameters to the design brief may include:

determination of the degree of innovation and creativity expected by the client

design process limits and budgets

product cost limits and budgets

performance specifications

equipment availability, capacities and restrictions

specified administrative, communication and approval procedures

other special features and limits in the design brief

OHS, regulatory, sustainability and environmental issues

OHS, regulatory, sustainability and environmental issues may include:

OHS Acts and regulations

relevant standards

industry codes of practice

risk assessments

registration requirements

safe work practices

minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product

maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community

minimising the negative OHS impact on employees, community and customer

state and territory regulatory requirements

Sustainability

Sustainability is used to mean the entire sustainable performance of the organisation/plant including:

meeting all regulatory requirements

conforming to all industry covenants, protocols and best practice guides

minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product

maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community

minimising the negative OHS impact on employees, community and customer

Standards and codes

Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to a particular design task

Sensitivity estimation, optimisation and validation

Software may be employed for estimation, optimisation and validation.

Sensitivity is a measure of impacts of changes to parameter values and assumptions on the output or conclusions from the model. Sensitivity analysis can be used as a measure of robustness and validity.

Optimisation is the process of adjustment of variables and parameters to fine-tune the output to closer match expected real system outputs.

Validation techniques include:

comparison of traditional solutions for simple design problems with software solutions to the same design problems

review of previously implemented design challenges which were completed using the software

robustness relates to the ability of a simulation model to respond to inputs in a stable manner