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:

collects and analyses relevant information to prepare accurate and timely performance forecasts over time, across a range of retail or wholesale products and services or markets

reviews and evaluates accuracy of a range of forecast information to identify and report performance trends for a range of retail or wholesale products or services in an accurate and timely manner

identifies and utilises a range of accurate measures to determine and communicate forecast recommendations to relevant personnel.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

a retail or wholesale work environment

relevant sources of product performance information

relevant documentation, such as:

policy and procedures manuals

sales reports

a range of products and services

a market.

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:

observation of performance in the workplace

third party reports from a supervisor

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance.

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 in the context of the job role and with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification.

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:

interpersonal communication skills to:

report results, forecasts and recommendations through clear and direct communication

ask questions to identify and confirm requirements

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use and interpret non-verbal communication

literacy and numeracy skills to:

read and understand a range of workplace documentation

access and interpret market information

generate reports

collecting and organising information

analysing and evaluating information to:

determine trend patterns

determine areas of improvement for the business

recommend action based on forecasts.

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

business policy and procedures

current market performance of the business and specific products and services

factors that may affect future operations

sources of information (current, standard, new and emerging)

trend patterns

principles and techniques in analysis, assessment, development and implementation

techniques used to analyse, assess and review forecasts

approval processes and key personnel

OHS aspects of job

relevant commercial law and legislation.

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.

Information may include:

competitor information, e.g. annual reports, trade publications, field reports and stock market analyses

product or service review information

Australian Bureau of Statistics statistical information

market analysis information

customer surveys

product and service reviews

sales reports.

New technology may include:

point of sale terminals

electronic bar coding equipment for price labelling and stocktaking

portable data entry

printers

electronic ordering equipment

wrapping and packing equipment

equipment for carrying or moving merchandise

equipment for storage of merchandise, including refrigerators

personal computers and peripheral devices

specialist software applications

online technologies.

Reports may be delivered:

verbally

in writing

in groups

individually.

Analysis of forecasts may involve:

response times

scalability

traffic

customer demographics

customer confidence

customer expectations

structure of and 'players' in the market

market capability

market maturity

market strength

factors or conditions that may affect supply

potential impact of intended contracting activity.

Relevant personnel may include:

manager or supervisor

colleagues

business or area manager

specialist internal or external personnel.

Available information may include:

purchase requests and orders

tender submissions and proposals

invoices and payment requests

statements and petty cash vouchers

offer and contract documents

evaluation process documentation

records of authorised officers' decisions

corporate credit transaction statements (electronic data interchange)

records of supplier performance

financial statements

asset registers

records of conversation.