Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 1:29 AM AWST
23/07/2026 1:29 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.
Coordinate continuous improvement and technical development
Coordinate continuous improvement and technical development
Unit of competency
National Code
MEM22017A
MEM22017A
State Code
WE915
WE915
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
17/04/2013
Field of Education
080317 - Quality Management
Original Release Date
17/04/2013
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to coordinate continuous improvement and ongoing technical development activities for engineering-related operations or projects. It includes feasibility studies, proposals for the introduction of technology or process change and development of implementation strategy, costing and budgets relating to proposals.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Evaluate project or operations for improvement and technical development opportunities
- 1.1 Select project or operation for review in conjunction with stakeholders
- 1.2 Determine current performance of operations or projects against objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs)
- 1.3 Establish and monitor processes to identify shortfalls in performance and root causes
- 1.4 Establish and monitor processes to identify possible opportunities for performance and technical improvements
- 1.5 Evaluate hardware and software technology requirements for performance improvement opportunities
- 1.6 Evaluate personnel skill requirements and training needs for performance improvement opportunities
- 1.7 Confirm current or future work health and safety (WHS) requirements, codes of practice, regulations, standards and regulatory requirements related to possible opportunities for performance improvement
2 Develop recommendations for performance improvement and technical development
- 2.1 Coordinate the specification of options for performance improvement, including required technology changes, skills development needs, timelines, budget and extent of disruption to current operations
- 2.2 Coordinate feasibility analyses on options and develop firm proposals
- 2.3 Prepare report and recommendations, including objectives, implementation schedule, budget and any required regulatory compliance measures
- 2.4 Communicate and negotiate with stakeholders to confirm recommendations for change and technological developments
3 Coordinate implementation of approved changes
- 3.1 Develop implementation objectives, plan, schedule and budgets for approved changes
- 3.2 Monitor implementation of objectives by priority, strategy and schedule
- 3.3 Coordinate change management, process redesign and introduction of technology
- 3.4 Manage physical and financial resources and budget within delegation
- 3.5 Monitor change and technological development for compliance with organisational policies and procedures
- 3.6 Assist with risk management procedures
4 Report outcomes
- 4.1 Record progress and results in accordance with procedures
- 4.2 Provide documentation, data entry and analysis, as required
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.
Stakeholders
Stakeholders may include:
enterprise or project owners and managers
team members
support function groups
expert technical and professional assistance
customers and suppliers
colleagues identified in reporting arrangements for the engineering project or operation
Systems thinking
Systems thinking refers to the conduct of engineering work in a manner that demonstrates knowledge of how the interaction of different technical systems on equipment, machinery or structures, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, combine to perform or support engineering-related operations, processes or projects. It embraces determining or establishing how the function of each technical system or component, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, effects or potentially may effect, outcomes. Systems should be interpreted broadly within the context of the organisation and depending on the project or operation can include equipment, related facilities, material, software, internal services and personnel, and other organisations in the value chain
Constraints and contingencies
Constraints and contingencies may include:
financial
organisational, procedural or cultural
physical constraints, such as limits to resources, limits to site access or logistical limitations
Organisational policies and procedures
Organisational policies and procedures may include formal policy documents, operational procedures, mission statements, training manuals, orders, production schedules, safety instructions and notices, and may reference:
enterprise agreements and awards
WHS requirements
codes of practice and other legislative requirements
environmental and social obligations
ethical practice
WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures
WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures may include:
WHS Acts and regulations
relevant standards
codes of practice from Australian and overseas engineering and technical associations and societies
risk assessments
registration requirements
safe work practices
state and territory regulatory requirements
Standards and codes
Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to the engineering project or operation
Continuous improvement implementation
Continuous improvement implementation may relate to plant, products, processes, systems or services, including design, development, implementation or manufacture, commissioning, operation or delivery and maintenance.
Improvement processes may include techniques, such as:
balanced scorecard
current and future state mapping
measuring performance against benchmarks
process improvement, problem solving and decision making
data management, generation, recording, analysing, storing and use of software
training for improvement systems participation
technical training
Sustainability
Sustainability is used to mean the entire sustainable performance of the organisation/plant, including:
meeting all regulatory requirements
conforming to all industry covenants, protocols and best practice guides
minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product
maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community
minimising the negative WHS impact on employees, community and customer
Lean principles
Lean manufacturing uses cost, capacity and responsiveness, quality, reliability and waste minimisation as drivers of the process and measures for process improvement. Lean manufacturing is the response of many organisations to local, regional, national and global market competitiveness
Stakeholders
Stakeholders may include:
enterprise or project owners and managers
team members
support function groups
expert technical and professional assistance
customers and suppliers
colleagues identified in reporting arrangements for the engineering project or operation
Systems thinking
Systems thinking refers to the conduct of engineering work in a manner that demonstrates knowledge of how the interaction of different technical systems on equipment, machinery or structures, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, combine to perform or support engineering-related operations, processes or projects. It embraces determining or establishing how the function of each technical system or component, as well as the skills and techniques of personnel, effects or potentially may effect, outcomes. Systems should be interpreted broadly within the context of the organisation and depending on the project or operation can include equipment, related facilities, material, software, internal services and personnel, and other organisations in the value chain
Constraints and contingencies
Constraints and contingencies may include:
financial
organisational, procedural or cultural
physical constraints, such as limits to resources, limits to site access or logistical limitations
Organisational policies and procedures
Organisational policies and procedures may include formal policy documents, operational procedures, mission statements, training manuals, orders, production schedules, safety instructions and notices, and may reference:
enterprise agreements and awards
WHS requirements
codes of practice and other legislative requirements
environmental and social obligations
ethical practice
WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures
WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures may include:
WHS Acts and regulations
relevant standards
codes of practice from Australian and overseas engineering and technical associations and societies
risk assessments
registration requirements
safe work practices
state and territory regulatory requirements
Standards and codes
Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to the engineering project or operation
Continuous improvement implementation
Continuous improvement implementation may relate to plant, products, processes, systems or services, including design, development, implementation or manufacture, commissioning, operation or delivery and maintenance.
Improvement processes may include techniques, such as:
balanced scorecard
current and future state mapping
measuring performance against benchmarks
process improvement, problem solving and decision making
data management, generation, recording, analysing, storing and use of software
training for improvement systems participation
technical training
Sustainability
Sustainability is used to mean the entire sustainable performance of the organisation/plant, including:
meeting all regulatory requirements
conforming to all industry covenants, protocols and best practice guides
minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product
maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community
minimising the negative WHS impact on employees, community and customer
Lean principles
Lean manufacturing uses cost, capacity and responsiveness, quality, reliability and waste minimisation as drivers of the process and measures for process improvement. Lean manufacturing is the response of many organisations to local, regional, national and global market competitiveness
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
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to review an existing engineering-related operation or project, including current context and performance objectives, and to identify and implement continuous improvements and technical developments. This includes working individually and in a team environment and recognising and complying with normal control procedures on engineering projects.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:
evaluate technologies, assets, workforce and contractor skills and knowledge, personnel development strategies, hardware and software technology requirements, for technology and capability gaps and opportunities for improvement
review organisation structure, current operations and context, development opportunities, budgets and constraints, software options for opportunities for improvement
complete feasibility analyses on options and develop proposals
maintain appropriate documentation and records
demonstrate systems thinking, constraints and contingency management, short-term planning adjustments and rescheduling
manage physical and financial resources and budget within delegation
communicate and negotiate with stakeholders
report and document progress and results, data and analysis in accordance with procedures.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Method of assessment
Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.
Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.
Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Overview of assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to review an existing engineering-related operation or project, including current context and performance objectives, and to identify and implement continuous improvements and technical developments. This includes working individually and in a team environment and recognising and complying with normal control procedures on engineering projects.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:
evaluate technologies, assets, workforce and contractor skills and knowledge, personnel development strategies, hardware and software technology requirements, for technology and capability gaps and opportunities for improvement
review organisation structure, current operations and context, development opportunities, budgets and constraints, software options for opportunities for improvement
complete feasibility analyses on options and develop proposals
maintain appropriate documentation and records
demonstrate systems thinking, constraints and contingency management, short-term planning adjustments and rescheduling
manage physical and financial resources and budget within delegation
communicate and negotiate with stakeholders
report and document progress and results, data and analysis in accordance with procedures.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Method of assessment
Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.
Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.
Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W5678 | MEM22008A | Manage change and technical development | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEU46 | MEM22017 | Coordinate continuous improvement and technical development | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J368 | MEM60112 | Advanced Diploma of Engineering | Qualification |
| J367 | MEM50212 | Diploma of Engineering - Technical | Qualification |
| W528 | MSA60108 | Advanced Diploma of Manufacturing Technology | Qualification |
| W526 | MSA50108 | Diploma of Manufacturing Technology | Qualification |