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.
Business plan may include:
Business opportunities, which may be influenced by:
amount and types of finance available
expected financial viability
skills of operator
Details of ownership/management
Finance, expenditure statement, balance sheet and cash flow forecast, projections for the initial years of operation assumptions underlying business plan, expected level of inflation and taxation, expected trend of interest rate, capital expenditure and its timing, stock turnover, debtor collection period, creditor payment period, return on investment
Level of risk involved, risk assessment and management
Market focus of business
Marketing requirements
Need to raise finance and requirements of lenders
Organisation/operational arrangements
Proposed size and scale of business
Recognition of any seasonal or cyclical (time-based) elements, which are crucial to business success
Resources required and available
Sources of funding
Specialist services and sources of advice that may be required
Staffing
Stages in business development
Financial plan may include:
Analysis of sales by product/service, identifying where they were sold and to whom
Cash flow estimates for each forward period
Current financial state of enterprise (or owner/operator)
Estimates of profit and loss projections for each forward period
Financial performance to date (if applicable)
Likely return on investment
Monthly, quarterly or annual returns
Non-recurrent asset calculations
Profit, turnover, capital and equity targets
Projected profit targets, pricing strategies, margins
Projections of likely financial results (budgeting)
Projections, which may vary depending on importance of such information and stage in life of business
Resources required to implement proposed marketing and production strategies (staff, materials, plant and equipment)
Review of financial inputs required (sources and forms of finance)
Risks and measures to manage or minimise risks
Working, fixed, debt and equity capital
Business goals and objectives may include:
Achievable, measurable, realistic, time defined
Customer needs
Family benefits
Goal and objective plans, systems and processes
Lifestyle issues
Market focus of business
Short, medium, or long-term goals
Social responsibility
Market research data may include:
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
Chambers of commerce information
Client surveys
Data about:
existing clients
possible new clients
Data from external sources such as other like businesses, industry associations and regulators
Industry reports
Internet
Libraries
Personal interviews
Primary market research
Secondary market research (available research by other people)
Small business surveys
Telephone surveys
Trade associations/journals
Competitor analysis may include:
Competitor:
offerings
profile in market place
promotion strategies and activities
Market position may include:
Data on:
augmented product (total package of features/benefits)
communication
core product and or the goods or services provided
cost components
distribution strategies
market position
marketing channels
new/changed products
place
price
pricing objectives (profit, market penetration)
pricing strategies (cost plus, supply/demand, ability to pay)
product services or mix of services
product/services differentiation from competitors
promotion
promotion budget
promotional strategies
tangible product (what is perceived)
target audience
Business brand may include:
Attention, interest, desire, action (AIDA)
Business image
Practice/business logo/letterhead/signage
Facility decor
Phone answering protocol
Slogans
Style guide
Templates for communication/invoicing
Writing style
Benefits may include:
Benefits as perceived by client
Features as perceived by client
Promotional tools may include:
Advertising
Brochures
Direct mail
Networking and referrals
Newsletters (print and/or electronic)
Press releases
Publicity and sponsorship
Seminars
Telemarketing/cold calling
Websites
Applicable legislation may include:
Consumer protection
Corporate governance
Marine insurance
Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law
National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV)
Trade practices
WHS/OHS
Yield per existing client may include:
Packaging fees
Raising charge out rates/fees
Reducing discounts
Selling more services to existing clients
Promotional package may include:
Directing to existing or new clients
Client newsletters or bulletins
Media advertising (radio, television, newspapers, trade journals, direct marketing)
Product service brochures
Products or give-a-ways and third party services
Sponsorship

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include:
developing effective planning documents
communicating effectively with others as required
attention to detail when completing documentation
ensuring behaviour reflects relevant current legislative and regulatory requirements.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
Resources for assessment include access to:
industry-approved marine operations site where establishing a marine surveyor practice can be conducted
tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities
range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessments
appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.
In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:
relevant and appropriate materials and equipment
applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.
Method of assessment
Practical assessment must occur in an:
appropriately simulated workplace environment and/or
appropriate range of situations in the workplace.
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate to this unit:
direct observation of the candidate establishing a marine surveyor practice
direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess Required Knowledge.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy requirements of the work being performed and the capacity of the candidate.