Elements and Performance Criteria

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 is the purchaser and may be:
internal/external
an enterprise
a department/division
an industry sector
a professional association
a community organisation
a government organisation
Relevant people may include:
other members of the tender team
industry groups
program managers trainers/facilitators and assessors/coordinators/senior management
industry regulators
members of professional associations
staff of government departments and organisations
external consultants
personnel responsible for monitoring the training and/or assessment organisation's services provision
users of training information such as finance personnel, human resource personnel, employers
contract manager
private/government funding bodies
union/employee representatives
Quality assurance goals and strategies may include:
reporting procedures and protocols
procedures for monitoring and evaluating project outcomes and client satisfaction
compliance with the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), where relevant
continuous improvement strategies
reducing risk by anticipating, evaluating and developing strategies for the management of possible problems
a formal structure against which progress can be evaluated
mechanisms for involving a wide variety of interested parties or stakeholders in the project
budgets and timetables which enable the commitment of resources at appropriate points in the project
contingency plans to cater for a change of corporate focus or significant project difficulties
Legal requirements may include:
standards for training and/or assessment organisations
state or territory registering body requirements
industrial relations award and enterprise agreements and relevant industrial arrangements
confidentiality and privacy requirements
scope of registration
relevant legislation from all levels of government that affects business operation
OHS issues
environmental issues
equal opportunity
industrial relations and anti-discrimination
relevant industry codes of practice
Organisational requirements may include:
quality assurance and/or procedures manuals
goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes
legal and organisational policy/guidelines
recording and reporting procedures
business and performance plans
access and equity principles and practices
confidentiality requirements
ethical standards
collaborative/partnership arrangements
OHS policies, procedures and programs

quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
defined resource parameters
Risk management plan may describe:
the process which will be used to identify, analyse and manage risks, both initially and throughout the life of the project
how often risks will be reviewed, the process for review and who will be involved
who will be responsible for which aspects of risk management
how risk status will be reported and to whom
the initial snapshot of the major risks and current grading
planned strategies for reducing likelihood and seriousness of each risk (mitigation strategies) and who will be responsible for implementing them
Risks to the effective management of the project may include:
competing work demands
technology/equipment breakdowns
workplace hazards, risks and controls
learning resource and learning materials availability
budget constraints
time delays
inadequate active participation in the quality management process by all stakeholders
availability of suitably qualified staff
adherence to the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)
Documented planning may include:
objectives, scope and expected benefits of the project
project management methodology to be used
structure of the project
targets and milestones
budgets and timetables which enable the commitment of resources at appropriate points in the project
contingency plans to cater for changes or significant project difficulties
acquisition strategies
risk management plans, including:
OHS hazards and risks identified
strategies to control the risk
methods of monitoring during the life cycle of the project/service

project implementation plans
consultation strategies to involve stakeholders
transition plans
specifications
quality assurance procedures
Communication strategies may include:
client-centred approaches
ongoing liaison with stakeholders
effective reporting arrangements
continuous feedback mechanisms
Contingency arrangements may include:
sub-contracting work
re-determining timelines
re-evaluating risk management strategies
sourcing independent external advice
Systematically monitored may include the:
measurement/achievement of set outcomes
completion of contract phases/requirements
achievement of key tasks/project phases
reviewing/updating of progress reports
reviewing contract requirements
Relevant skills may include:
sound communication skills
sound interpersonal skills
sound time management skills
sound negotiation skills
sound problem solving skills
sound change management skills
Evaluation methods could be qualitative or quantitative and may include:
observation
questionnaires
checklists
interviews
focus groups
expert and peer reviews
cost data analyses

Evidence Guide
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
To demonstrate competency against this unit, candidates must be able to provide evidence that they can plan and manage project activities and monitor resource requirements to ensure effective contracted training and/or assessment project/service outcomes.
The developed strategies used as evidence must: highlight effective consultation with a range of individuals to support and ensure achievement of project outcomes; include quality assurance goals and strategies to ensure legal/organisational requirements have been met, a risk management plan to identify potential/real issues and control risks, highlight evaluation techniques used to monitor the project's progress; maintain accurate records and documents and show how the candidate has maintained a broad knowledge of relevant industry practices and policies in relation to vocational education and training.
Evidence Requirements
Required knowledge includes:
project management concepts and principles
contingency and risk analysis techniques
key project success factors and typical project pitfalls
legal and ethical responsibilities, including:
maintaining client privacy and confidentiality
providing accurate information
meeting environmental standards
compliance with relevant Commonwealth and state/territory legislation

project management systems and tools, for example:
critical path method
bar and Gantt charts
program evaluation and review technique (PERT)

quality standards in relation to project management
continuous improvement processes
the vocational education and training environment, for example:
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
Training Packages
organisation's quality systems, such as:
strategic planning processes
issues relating to client satisfaction
recording systems

relevant policy, legislation, codes of practice and national standards including Commonwealth and state/territory legislation, for example:
copyright and privacy laws in terms of electronic technology
security of information
recording information and confidentiality requirements
licensing requirements
vocational education and training requirements
duty of care under common law
anti-discrimination including equal opportunity, racial vilification and disability discrimination
the industrial relations system, industry/workplace relations, and industrial awards/enterprise agreements

OHS relating to management of external projects/services, including:
legislative requirements for information and consultation relevant to safety
elements of an OHS management system as it applies to a training and/or assessment organisation
nature of OHS risks that should be identified and addressed by a training and/or assessment organisation during the planning stage of the project/service
Required skills and attributes include:
communication and negotiation skills to:
define and monitor objectives of the project team
influence and negotiate project outcomes with key stakeholders

literacy skills to:
interpret organisation's goals for the project
follow clear and detailed instructions

writing skills to:
develop strategies for achieving contractual outcomes
develop quality assurance goals and strategies
develop a risk management plan
prepare written reports on project's progress

technology skills to:
create a project schedule using the critical path method and Gantt chart
use spreadsheets and project management software

communication and negotiation skills to:

consult effectively with a range of individuals to ensure achievement of project outcomes
gain agreement on project processes and timelines

project planning skills to:
schedule activities
integrate scope, resources, accountabilities, costs and deliverables
work within agreed timeframes and budgetary constraints

team leadership skills to:
establish and manage effective team relationships
develop a high performance project team and assess team performance

time management skills to:
plan, schedule and track project schedule
logically sequence project activities
establish project milestones and use a milestone chart

numeracy skills to:
create a project budget
forecast predictions
check calculations and outcomes

problem solving skills to:
promptly identify potential barriers to project outcomes
analyse project risks and establish contingencies
Products that could be used as evidence include:
strategies for achieving contractual outcomes
risk management plan
quality assurance goals and strategies
documented monitoring and reporting arrangements
documented roles and responsibilities of personnel associated with implementation of the project
contingency arrangements
prepared documentation and/or checklists to support planning and implementation of the project plan
recommendations for improvement to project processes
Processes that could be used as evidence include:
how work activities were scheduled and agreed
how and when monitoring of reporting arrangements and expenditure and resource usage were conducted
how technology was used to monitor project's progress and evaluate project outcomes
how and when risks were identified and analysed
how key individuals were consulted
Resource implications for assessment include:
access to competency standards
access to assessment materials and tools
access to suitable assessment venue/equipment
workplace documentation
cost/time considerations
personnel requirements
The collection of quality evidence requires that:
assessment must address the scope of this unit and reflect all components of the unit i.e. the Elements, Performance Criteria, Range Statement, Evidence Guide, Employability Skills
a range of appropriate assessment methods/evidence gathering techniques is used to determine competency
evidence must be gathered in the workplace wherever possible. Where no workplace is available, a simulated workplace must be provided
the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and in a learning and assessment pathway these must be separated by further learning and practice
assessment meets the rules of evidence
a judgement of competency should only be made when the assessor is confident that the required outcomes of the unit have been achieved and that consistent performance has been demonstrated
Specific evidence requirements must include:
strategies for achieving contractual outcomes
a risk management plan
established quality assurance goals and strategies
implemented communication strategies
contingency arrangements
completed progress reports
monitored and controlled expenditure and resource usage
summary of methods used to evaluate project processes and outcomes
Integrated assessment means that:
this unit can be assessed alone or as part of an integrated assessment activity involving relevant units in the TAA04 Training and Assessment Training Package. Suggested units include but are not limited to:
TAATAS501B Undertake organisational training needs analysis
TAATAS502B Prepare a tender bid
TAADES502B Design and develop learning resources
TAADES503B Research and design e-learning resources
TAADES504B Develop and evaluate e-learning resources
TAADES505B Research and develop competency standards
TAAASS403B Develop assessment tools.