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.

Quick fix
Not all situations can wait for the root cause analysis and eventual elimination of the root cause as there are serious current impacts. The quick fix will control these immediate impacts, but does not eliminate the root cause. The quick fix is sometimes referred to as the "quick and dirty" solution

Root cause
There are many possible causes of any problem. Eliminating some causes will have no impact, eliminating others will ameliorate the problem. However elimination of the root cause will eliminate the problem. There should only be one root cause for any problem and so the analysis should continue until this one cause is found. Elimination of the root cause permanently eliminates the problem

Cause tree
The series of causes is referred to as the cause tree. Not all root causes are accessible and able to be eliminated. Breaking the cause tree in such a way that the problem cannot recur is an acceptable alternative

Uptime
Uptime refers to the overall availability of the plant - it is the inverse of downtime or the unavailability of the plant. Ideal uptime is 100%

Overall equipment efficiency (OEE)
Overall equipment efficiency (OEE) is the combination of the main factors causing loss of productive capacity from equipment / plant and where:
availability takes into account losses due to breakdown, set up and adjustments
performance takes into account losses due to minor stoppages, reduced speed and idling
quality rate takes into account t losses due to rejects, reworks and start up waste

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

The competent operator will be able to recognise problems in their process and undertake a root cause analysis, either alone or with assistance, and propose permanent solutions. Evidence of root cause analyses undertaken should be available
Generally a range of RCA activities will be required in order to generate sufficient evidence

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

assessment will need to occur in an organisation implementing root cause analysis or by simulation or project
access to an organisation using RCA

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 on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICPSU458B Monitor production workflow
ICPSU482B Troubleshoot and optimise materials and machinery