Elements and Performance Criteria

Performance may be thought of as the rate of output of the plant compared to the rate required to meet demand.
Performance might also be thought of in terms of takt where takt time is the allowable time to produce one product at the rate customers are demanding it. This is NOT the same as cycle time, which is the normal time to complete an operation on a product (which should be less than or equal to takt time).

All work instructions, standard operating procedures, formulas/recipes, batch sheets, temporary instructions and similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant. They may be written, verbal, computer based or in some other form.
For the purposes of this Training Package, 'procedures' also includes good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (eg Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Responsible Care) and government regulations.

Improvement procedures in some enterprises is also known by baka-yoke which is a manufacturing technique of preventing mistakes by designing the manufacturing process, equipment and tools so that an operation literally cannot be performed incorrectly. An attempt to perform incorrectly, as well as being prevented, is usually met with a warning signal of some sort; the term poka-yoke is sometimes referred to as a system where only a warning is provided.

Overview of assessment requirements
The person will be able to demonstrate their willing adoption of new equipment, processes, procedures and practices as well as their expertise at implementing them and making critical reviews of their performance in line with their level of competence and authority.

What critical aspects of evidence are required to demonstrate competency in this unit?
Evidence of having sustained improvements in their own job and of assessing these improvements for their real impact.

What are the specific resource requirements for this unit?
Access to a workplace implementing competitive manufacturing strategies or appropriate simulated environment is required. No other specific resources are required.

In what context should assessment occur?
Assessment will need to occur in a workplace where improvements are occurring which impact on the operator's job and they are required to implement changes which sustain these improvements.
The unit may also be assessed on a project basis in a simulated environment.

Are there any other units which could or should be assessed with this unit or which relate directly to this unit?
This unit may be assessed concurrently with appropriate units on continuous improvement/kaizen.
This unit relates to improvements in a person's own area of responsibility.

What method of assessment should apply?
Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria, skills and knowledge. A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
Assessors should gather sufficient, fair, valid, reliable, authentic and current evidence from a range of sources. Sources of evidence may include direct observation, reports from supervisors, peers and colleagues, project work, samples, organisation records and questioning. Assessment should not require language, literacy or numeracy skills beyond those required for the unit.
The assessee will have access to all techniques, procedures, information, resources and aids which would normally be available in the workplace.
The method of assessment should be discussed and agreed with the assessee prior to the commencement of the assessment.

What evidence is required for demonstration of consistent performance?
Evidence should be available from multiple small changes, or from a large change which has had multiple facets implemented over a period of some months.