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.

Purpose might include:
deaccession objects from collections
establishing provenance of collections
guiding collection strategies and policies
guiding and supporting acquisition decisions
guiding conservation policies and treatment
informing strategic planning
supporting funding applications
taking stock of collections.
History may relate to:
published histories
role of former directors, curators and scientists in developing collections
significant gifts, acquisitions, buildings and renovations.
Wider context of collectionsrelates to:
buildings in which collections are housed
environment and use
historical context in communities
items to be accessioned
period when collections were developed.
Sources of information may include:
Australian War Memorial
database of Collections Australia Network (CAN) collections
Heritage Collections Council, Commonwealth of Australia
historical societies
Museums Australia
National Archives of Australia
online collections database of National Museum of Australia
national, state and local government public records
online databases
organisational policies and procedures
Picture Australia
Powerhouse Museum.
Consultmay relate to:
community values
important items or themes for communities
people to whom collections are important
role organisations play in communities.
Relevant personnel may include:
associations or trades
donors
ethnic communities
office bearers
owners
special interest community associations
technical specialists
users
volunteers.
Similar collections may relate to:
size
subject
type.
Primary criteria may relate to:
aesthetic considerations, such as:
balance
colour
design or technical excellence
form
harmony and beauty
originality or innovation in design or execution
skill in quality of workmanship or execution
historical considerations, such as association with:
event or activity
person
place
process
theme
scientific or research significance, such as:
collection history
documented context
social or spiritual significance, such as:
association with communities
public display.
Comparative criteria may relate to:
condition, intactness or integrity, such as:
alterations
disturbed or altered components or composition
evidence of use
missing components
original or copy
repairs
still working
unrestored
unusually good condition for its type
interpretive potential of contribution to collections and museum
provenance, including:
place of origin
where and how objects were used
who owned, used or made objects
rarity, including:
distinguishing qualities
uniqueness
unusualness
representativeness, such as:
good example of its type
typical or characteristic of material, style or design.
Statements of significance may provide:
a brief, considered assessment of the values, meaning and importance of objects
a collection of knowledge and ideas about objects
a summary of the process of investigation and assessment
benchmarks for future use
communication of values for interpretive programs
images of collections being assessed and other comparative collections
record of the crucial provenance details and association of objects
summary of the meaning and importance of objects.
Records may include:
catalogues
objects
online records.
Reassess may relate to:
changes in organisational strategy
changes in collection policy
new information.

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

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
apply knowledge about undertaking a significance assessment of collections
consult effectively with relevant people about the significance of collections
complete a significance assessment for a collection.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
information sources
collections, or a subset of a collection in situ
organisational policies and procedures related to significance assessments.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of onthejob performance
application of the significance assessment process to collections
verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of significance assessment of collections
review of a statement of significance
responses to a case study.
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular client groups (consider the requirements of different age groups, clients with English as a second language, clients with disabilities, remote library users, etc.).
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CULCNM503A Manage the development of collections.