Elements and Performance Criteria

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 customer relationship management (CRM) database, accounting packages, business intelligence or other office process-related database programs
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
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
mitigate the impact of the error if it does occur
Mistake proofing activities in the office environment may include:
physical barriers that prevent errors (e.g. automatic shutoff guide rails, equipment, leads and supplies that can only be used the correct way, and secure areas)
‘virtual’ barriers built into information technology (IT) and data systems (e.g. required fields, data validation rules, centrally managed templates and workflows, and password protected files)
visual or physical reminders of the correct action or sequence (e.g. colour coding, visual procedures and dividers)
visual or auditory alerts about incorrect action
reducing data errors through simplified forms or moving to electronic data capture
standardised workflows and templates for documentation
Prioritising errors
Errors are operational actions which result in waste in terms of value to the customer and/or non-compliance to OHS or other regulatory requirements. They may be:
prioritised in terms of frequency, importance to operations, extent of waste or other factors relevant to the organisation and/or the customer
Options for mistake proofing
Factors to consider when prioritising options for mistake proofing will vary according to the process and may include:
feasibility
cost
capacity to reduce waste
Criteria that support value to the customer
Criteria that support value to the customer should take into account factors, such as:
ease and cost of implementation
capacity to prevent errors
the impact to the customer from the errors

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:
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.