Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 12:51 AM AWST
23/07/2026 12:51 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Design for sustainability
Design for sustainability
Unit of competency
National Code
MSS017007A
MSS017007A
State Code
D7754
D7754
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
13/06/2014
Field of Education
100599 - Graphic And Design Studies, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
13/06/2014
Nominal Hours
100
Description
This unit of competency covers the designing of a new product, or the redesigning of an existing product as a sustainable product or to improve its sustainability. It may be applied to a physical product, a service or some other type of ‘product’.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Define the benefit received by the customer
- 1.1 Select an existing or potential new product for analysis
- 1.2 Determine who the customers are for the product
- 1.3 Determine uses of product by customers
- 1.4 Analyse the benefits received by the customer from using the product
- 1.5 Define and rank the benefits received
- 1.6 Validate benefits in an appropriate manner
2 Develop alternative ways of delivering benefit
- 2.1 Brainstorm alternative methods of delivering required benefits
- 2.2 Brainstorm related benefits which may also be able to be delivered
- 2.3 Analyse sustainability impacts of each alternative
- 2.4 Consult with relevant stakeholders, as appropriate
- 2.5 Rank alternatives by sustainability
- 2.6 Prepare an initial business case for top ranked alternatives
3 Develop product and process design
- 3.1 Develop product design specification for alternatives most likely to be implemented
- 3.2 Determine likely production process for alternatives most likely to be implemented
- 3.3 Analyse life cycle sustainability for alternatives most likely to be implemented
- 3.4 Select alternative to develop
- 3.5 Consult with relevant stakeholders, as appropriate
- 3.6 Confirm selected alternative does deliver key customer benefits
4 Confirm design for selected alternative
- 4.1 Develop and document product specification
- 4.2 Develop and document key production process parameters
- 4.3 Consult with relevant stakeholders, as appropriate
- 4.4 Prepare business case for implementing selected alternative
- 4.5 Negotiate solutions to value chain issues caused by changed design
5 Communicate required responses as appropriate
- 5.1 Identify what communications are required and to whom
- 5.2 Prepare appropriate reports and recommendations
- 5.3 Pitch reports and recommendations, as appropriate
- 5.4 Brief appropriate persons as required by determined responses
- 5.5 Finalise appropriate recording
Sustainability
Sustainability incorporates the three aspects of:
survival of the ecology/physical environment (to manage the impact of the business to ensure the survival of the physical environment)
economic viability (efficiency, cost and waste reduction and competitiveness to support survival of the business)
social sustainability (to manage the impact of the business to ensure its continued survival within the community and the survival of the community)
Product
Product may include:
physical product
service
some other type of product
A product will be something which is produced/developed for/provided to a customer or client
Benefit
Benefit includes, but is not limited to, consideration of the:
deliverable the customer expects
location in which it should occur
timing, duration, frequency and longevity of the deliverable
value to the customer
required maintenance and other ‘running’ inputs
disposal/replacement required by the customer
the degree to which the designed product is:
portable
modular
reusable
recyclable
returnable
easily able to be repaired after malfunction
durable
aesthetics
price
Alternative methods of delivering benefits
Alternative methods of delivering benefits may include:
selling a redesigned product
selling the benefit obtained from the product rather than the product
selling a combination of physical product and service rather than either
leasing (or similar) of the above
providing buy back/take back or similar
other alternative strategies
Alternatives to be considered also include design for:
reuse
remanufacture
recycling
Portion of the value chain
Value chain is the sequence of activities that a firm undertakes to create value/product (good or service). Portion of the value chain includes sections internal or external to the organisation
Sustainability issues of particular relevance
Sustainability issues of particular relevance include:
particular sensitivities of the local ecology, such as:
endangered species
sensitive local flora/fauna
material scarcity
water availability
general ecology issues and regulations, such as:
climate change and carbon footprint
pollution control measures
particular local social issues, such as:
distortions to the housing market
disruption to local lifestyles
general social issues, such as:
corporate citizenship
use or/deterioration to infrastructure
particular local economic issues, such as:
cost of capital
profit margins
competition
general economic issues, such as
state of the economy
stage of the business cycle
Appropriate response
Appropriate response includes:
application of the hierarchy of hazard control to sustainability hazards
when the impact cannot be prevented application of mitigation and amelioration techniques, such as:
capture and storage (e.g. scrubbing) and similar ‘end of pipe’ solutions
dilution/dispersion and similar techniques which reduce concentration but not amount
other approaches which meet the sustainability requirements
Sustainability incorporates the three aspects of:
survival of the ecology/physical environment (to manage the impact of the business to ensure the survival of the physical environment)
economic viability (efficiency, cost and waste reduction and competitiveness to support survival of the business)
social sustainability (to manage the impact of the business to ensure its continued survival within the community and the survival of the community)
Product
Product may include:
physical product
service
some other type of product
A product will be something which is produced/developed for/provided to a customer or client
Benefit
Benefit includes, but is not limited to, consideration of the:
deliverable the customer expects
location in which it should occur
timing, duration, frequency and longevity of the deliverable
value to the customer
required maintenance and other ‘running’ inputs
disposal/replacement required by the customer
the degree to which the designed product is:
portable
modular
reusable
recyclable
returnable
easily able to be repaired after malfunction
durable
aesthetics
price
Alternative methods of delivering benefits
Alternative methods of delivering benefits may include:
selling a redesigned product
selling the benefit obtained from the product rather than the product
selling a combination of physical product and service rather than either
leasing (or similar) of the above
providing buy back/take back or similar
other alternative strategies
Alternatives to be considered also include design for:
reuse
remanufacture
recycling
Portion of the value chain
Value chain is the sequence of activities that a firm undertakes to create value/product (good or service). Portion of the value chain includes sections internal or external to the organisation
Sustainability issues of particular relevance
Sustainability issues of particular relevance include:
particular sensitivities of the local ecology, such as:
endangered species
sensitive local flora/fauna
material scarcity
water availability
general ecology issues and regulations, such as:
climate change and carbon footprint
pollution control measures
particular local social issues, such as:
distortions to the housing market
disruption to local lifestyles
general social issues, such as:
corporate citizenship
use or/deterioration to infrastructure
particular local economic issues, such as:
cost of capital
profit margins
competition
general economic issues, such as
state of the economy
stage of the business cycle
Appropriate response
Appropriate response includes:
application of the hierarchy of hazard control to sustainability hazards
when the impact cannot be prevented application of mitigation and amelioration techniques, such as:
capture and storage (e.g. scrubbing) and similar ‘end of pipe’ solutions
dilution/dispersion and similar techniques which reduce concentration but not amount
other approaches which meet the sustainability requirements
Overview of assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to determine the sustainability related benefits sought by customers for products and design a product to maximise the identified sustainability related benefits.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:
determining customer benefit
identifying and ranking alternative ways of providing that benefit
specifying preferred, sustainable alternative
communicating the above, as appropriate.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.
Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.
This unit of competency may be assessed with other relevant units addressing sustainability at the enterprise level or other units requiring the exercise of the skills and knowledge covered by this unit.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Method of assessment
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work-like environment.
Guidance information for assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to determine the sustainability related benefits sought by customers for products and design a product to maximise the identified sustainability related benefits.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:
determining customer benefit
identifying and ranking alternative ways of providing that benefit
specifying preferred, sustainable alternative
communicating the above, as appropriate.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.
Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.
This unit of competency may be assessed with other relevant units addressing sustainability at the enterprise level or other units requiring the exercise of the skills and knowledge covered by this unit.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Method of assessment
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work-like environment.
Guidance information for assessment
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAK97 | MSS017007 | Design for sustainability | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D548 | MSS70111 | Graduate Certificate In Sustainable Operations | Qualification |