Elements and Performance Criteria

Competitive manufacturing is used to describe the range of systemic manufacturing practice concepts and approaches. It covers but is not limited to:
lean manufacturing
agile manufacturing
preventative and predictive maintenance approaches
monitoring and data gathering systems such as Systems Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)software, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)systems, Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP), and proprietary systems such as SAP
statistical process control systems including six sigma and three sigma
Just In Time (JIT), kanban and other pull related manufacturing control systems
supply, value, and demand chain monitoring and analysis
other continuous improvement systems.
Competitive manufacturing should be interpreted so as to take into account the stage of implementation of competitive manufacturing approaches, the size of the enterprise, the work organisation, culture, regulatory environment and manufacturing sector.

Customer may be interpreted to be an internal customer, but typically the benefits to the final customer should be used as the basis for the identification of waste. The operator does not need to interface directly with the external customer, but should be provided with sufficient information to enable them to identify customer benefits and features.
Supplier may be interpreted to be an internal supplier, but typically the external supplier and their abilities should be known. The operator does not need to interface directly with the external supplier, but should be provided with sufficient information to enable them to identify supplier abilities.

Tools are used in this unit to mean the tools of competitive manufacturing such as 5S, 6 s , continuous improvement, cause effect diagrams

Procedures include 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.

Overview of assessment requirements
The person will work effectively in a competitive manufacturing environment, making continual positive contributions to the improvement of the business within the scope of their job.

What are the specific resource requirements for this unit?
Access is required to an organisation implementing competitive manufacturing.

What critical aspects of evidence are required to demonstrate competency in this unit?
There should be evidence of the individual's contribution to the value chain and willing application of competitive manufacturing to their job.

In what context should assessment occur?
Assessment should occur in an organisation implementing competitive manufacturing.

Are there any other units which could or should be assessed with this unit or which relate directly to this unit?
This unit is related to all other units at this level in that it is the general implementation of competitive manufacturing. It could be assessed concurrently with any unit dealing with the

This unit is related to:


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?
This should be a routine part of the operator's job and there should be evidence that these skills are practised routinely.