Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here.
Benchmarking is:
an activity undertaken by an organisation to gauge its performance against a set of internal or industry-specific best practice standards
applied organisation-wide, to departments or business units or to areas such as finance, human resources, customer service/satisfaction, etc
Scope may include:
organisation-wide
functional area
business unit
skill area, such as management behaviours and practices
procedures, policies, guidelines, work instructions
resource deployment and usage
business practices
performance outcomes
organisational processes
Resources may include:
personnel
funding
downtime when benchmarking is underway
equipment and supplies
research materials
technology
Benchmarking approach may include:
a project team approach
comparison with similar organisation/function
visit to and critique of a similar organisation
collaboration in 'critical friends' program
comparison with pre-determined standard
identifying and setting targets for improved performance
change management
resourcing commensurate with the size and perceived importance of the exercise
training/education about benchmarking
benchmarking networks
Key result areas may include:
service delivery
finance
people management
client service
administration
safety
security
fraud control
process improvement, especially key business processes
Research may include:
key stakeholders
current literature
industry research
internal, local, national or international search for benchmarks
ensuring benchmarks are valid (comparing apples with apples) and reliable
identifying confounding variables
Benchmarks may include:
internal standards/performance indicators
historical data - past performance
external standards
industry standards
best/leading practice standards
national standards
international standards
Stakeholders may include:
all those individuals and groups both inside and outside the organisation that have some direct interest in the organisation's behaviour, actions, products and services, including:
boards of management
clients
community organisations
contractors
employees at all levels of the organisation
government
Ministers
other public sector organisations
service providers
suppliers
the public
union and association representatives
volunteers
Legislation, standards, policies and guidelines may include:
public sector management acts
financial management acts
audit acts
public sector standards
fraud control standards
government security standards
risk management guidelines
Australian standards, such as accounting standards, audit standards, risk management standards, knowledge management standards, quality standards
ethics and accountability standards
codes of conduct
confidentiality agreements
Staffing arrangements may be:
internal
external
contracted expertise
Tacit knowledge is:
knowledge that is not written down/recorded that resides in the mind and may include aspects of culture or 'ways of doing things'

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.
Units to be assessed together
Pre-requisite units that must be achieved prior to this unit:Nil
Co-requisite units that must be assessed with this unit:Nil
Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to:
PSPETHC501B Promote the values and ethos of public service
PSPIM503A Maintain and monitor service standards
PSPGOV503B Coordinate resource allocation and usage
PSPGOV504B Undertake research and analysis
PSPGOV505A Promote diversity
PSPGOV507A Undertake negotiations
PSPGOV508A Manage conflict
PSPGOV511A Provide leadership
PSPGOV512A Use complex workplace communication strategies
PSPGOV517A Coordinate risk management
PSPLEGN501B Promote compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPPM502B Manage complex projects
PSPSEC502A Develop security risk management plans
Overview of evidence requirements
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:
the knowledge requirements of this unit
the skill requirements of this unit
application of Employability Skills as they relate to this unit
performance benchmarked in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Resources required to carry out assessment
These resources include:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to benchmarking
industry best practice standards for benchmarks
access to similar organisations/areas/functions for comparison
case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when benchmarking performance
Where and how to assess evidence
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when benchmarking performance, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
performance benchmarked in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time).
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:
people with disabilities
people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
women
young people
older people
people in rural and remote locations.
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:
case studies
portfolios
projects
questioning
scenarios
authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses
For consistency of assessment
Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments