Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:16 AM AWST
22/07/2026 10:16 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.
Mistake proof an operational process
Mistake proof an operational process
Unit of competency
National Code
MSS403051A
MSS403051A
State Code
WD535
WD535
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
24/10/2014
Field of Education
080317 - Quality Management
Original Release Date
24/10/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to make changes to own and others work in a work area which prevents errors and/or backsliding to a pre-improvement level of practice.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Analyse process
- 1.1 Identify sources of variability/non-conformance in the process
- 1.2 Identify critical control points in process
- 1.3 Analyse causes of variability/non-conformance
2 Develop preventative techniques/systems
- 2.1 Liaise with team members and other people to develop mistake proof options for performing operation
- 2.2 Test and validate mistake proofing options
3 Implement permanent fix
- 3.1 Liaise with relevant people to have systems/procedures changed to implement solution
- 3.2 Liaise with relevant people to implement the solution
- 3.3 Liaise with relevant people to ensure self and others in the team or work area have an appropriate skills set
- 3.4 Follow through to ensure implementation occurs
4 Monitor implementation
- 4.1 Critically observe the implementation
- 4.2 Compare the results of the implementation against the expected outcomes
- 4.3 Modify solution to improve outcomes
- 4.4 Ensure procedures reflect change
- 4.5 Ensure training/assessment reflects change
- 4.6 Audit change at agreed period/cycle
- 4.7 Take action on any observed deviation
5 Seek improvements
- 5.1 Observe changes
- 5.2 Analyse process again, if required, to ensure improvements are sustained
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.
Competitive systems and practices
Competitive systems and practices may include, but are not limited to:
lean operations
agile operations
preventative and predictive maintenance approaches
monitoring and data gathering systems, such as Systems Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Materials Resource Planning (MRP) and proprietary systems
statistical process control systems, including six sigma and three sigma
Just in Time (JIT), kanban and other pull-related operations control systems
supply, value, and demand chain monitoring and analysis
5S
continuous improvement (kaizen)
breakthrough improvement (kaizen blitz)
cause/effect diagrams
overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
takt time
process mapping
problem solving
run charts
standard procedures
current reality tree
Competitive systems and practices should be interpreted so as to take into account:
the stage of implementation of competitive systems and practices
the size of the enterprise
the work organisation, culture, regulatory environment and the industry sector
Mistake proofing
Mistake proofing is based on the concept of zero defects. The first priority is to eliminate the possibility of an error occurring. However, where this is not feasible mistake proofing can be used to reduce the occurrence of errors and/or to minimise their impact.
Mistake proofing should target an error in the following priority order:
eliminate the possibility of the error via changes to the process
prevent the error from occurring via physical or virtual barriers,
reduce likelihood of the error by encouraging correct action (e.g. through warning systems)
mitigate the impact of the error if it does occur
Mistake proofing is also called error proofing or baka-yoke or poka-yoke
Options for mistake proofing
Factors to consider when prioritising options for mistake proofing will vary according to the process and may include:
success rate in eliminating errors
feasibility
skills required by employees
cost
capacity to reduce waste
Procedures
Procedures may include:
all work instructions
standard operating procedures
formulas/recipes
batch sheet
temporary instructions and similar instructions provided for the operation of the plant
good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. good manufacturing practice (GMP) and responsible care)
government regulations
Procedures may be:
written, verbal, computer-based or in some other format
Competitive systems and practices
Competitive systems and practices may include, but are not limited to:
lean operations
agile operations
preventative and predictive maintenance approaches
monitoring and data gathering systems, such as Systems Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Materials Resource Planning (MRP) and proprietary systems
statistical process control systems, including six sigma and three sigma
Just in Time (JIT), kanban and other pull-related operations control systems
supply, value, and demand chain monitoring and analysis
5S
continuous improvement (kaizen)
breakthrough improvement (kaizen blitz)
cause/effect diagrams
overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
takt time
process mapping
problem solving
run charts
standard procedures
current reality tree
Competitive systems and practices should be interpreted so as to take into account:
the stage of implementation of competitive systems and practices
the size of the enterprise
the work organisation, culture, regulatory environment and the industry sector
Mistake proofing
Mistake proofing is based on the concept of zero defects. The first priority is to eliminate the possibility of an error occurring. However, where this is not feasible mistake proofing can be used to reduce the occurrence of errors and/or to minimise their impact.
Mistake proofing should target an error in the following priority order:
eliminate the possibility of the error via changes to the process
prevent the error from occurring via physical or virtual barriers,
reduce likelihood of the error by encouraging correct action (e.g. through warning systems)
mitigate the impact of the error if it does occur
Mistake proofing is also called error proofing or baka-yoke or poka-yoke
Options for mistake proofing
Factors to consider when prioritising options for mistake proofing will vary according to the process and may include:
success rate in eliminating errors
feasibility
skills required by employees
cost
capacity to reduce waste
Procedures
Procedures may include:
all work instructions
standard operating procedures
formulas/recipes
batch sheet
temporary instructions and similar instructions provided for the operation of the plant
good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. good manufacturing practice (GMP) and responsible care)
government regulations
Procedures may be:
written, verbal, computer-based or in some other format
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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:
analyse variability and non-conformances
identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources to identify errors and options for mistake proofing
facilitate implementation of mistake proofing activities that reduce waste
facilitate sustaining the mistake proofing activities.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of performance must be undertaken in a workplace using or implementing one or more competitive systems and practices.
Access may be required to:
workplace procedures and plans relevant to work area
specifications and documentation relating to planned, currently being implemented, or implemented changes to work processes and procedures relevant to the assessee
documentation and information in relation to production, waste, overheads and hazard control/management
reports from supervisors/managers
case studies and scenarios to assess responses to contingencies.
Method of assessment
A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed by using a combination of the following to generate evidence:
demonstration in the workplace
workplace projects
suitable simulation
case studies/scenarios (particularly for assessment of contingencies, improvement scenarios, and so on)
targeted questioning
reports from supervisors, peers and colleagues (third-party reports)
portfolio of evidence.
In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess underpinning knowledge.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:
analyse variability and non-conformances
identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources to identify errors and options for mistake proofing
facilitate implementation of mistake proofing activities that reduce waste
facilitate sustaining the mistake proofing activities.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of performance must be undertaken in a workplace using or implementing one or more competitive systems and practices.
Access may be required to:
workplace procedures and plans relevant to work area
specifications and documentation relating to planned, currently being implemented, or implemented changes to work processes and procedures relevant to the assessee
documentation and information in relation to production, waste, overheads and hazard control/management
reports from supervisors/managers
case studies and scenarios to assess responses to contingencies.
Method of assessment
A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed by using a combination of the following to generate evidence:
demonstration in the workplace
workplace projects
suitable simulation
case studies/scenarios (particularly for assessment of contingencies, improvement scenarios, and so on)
targeted questioning
reports from supervisors, peers and colleagues (third-party reports)
portfolio of evidence.
In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess underpinning knowledge.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W9005 | MSACMT451A | Mistake proof a production process | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAK16 | MSS403051 | Mistake proof an operational process | Unit of competency |