Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the knowledge and skills required by a team leader or technical expert to use and facilitate the use of planning software systems (known by various names such as ERP, SAP and MRP). This unit also covers the interactions of the person with a planning software system as they both use it for their own work and support their team members use it.

Application of the unit 

In a typical scenario, an organisation will be using planning software. The person will access the planning software system for their own work, but will also need to provide support and organise skill development programs for their team members. The planning software system will be a routine part of their work life.

This unit primarily requires the application of skills associated with using communication technology and supporting team use of planning software. Problem solving, initiative and enterprise, and planning and organisational skills are required to ensure that planning software is used efficiently. This requires aspects of learning and self management to ensure own performance and that of the team.

Prerequisite units 

MSACMT260A 

Use planning software systems in manufacturing 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Communicate using the planning software system

1.1. Send and receive information using planning software

1.2. Send and receive messages using planning software

2. Make decisions using planning software

2.1. Interrogate the planning software system to find required current, historical or predicted information

2.2. Take actions appropriate to the information in accordance with procedures

3. Monitor the use of planning software

3.1. Routinely monitor planning software information and use along the value chain 

3.2. Review performance and use of planning software with team

4. Support team use planning software

4.1. Regularly communicate with team, both using planning software and face to face

4.2. Identify improvements required

4.3. Take appropriate actions to implement improvements

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills :

• keyboarding/mousing
• communication
• teamwork
• problem solving.
• planning and organising

Required knowledge :

• hierarchy of planning software system and operation
• information available from/through the planning software system
• facilities and information offered by planning software
• support/training/skill development mechanisms available for access by team members.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this training package.

Overview of assessment requirements 

The person will need to be able to demonstrate an ability to understand and apply planning software to a work location or area and send, receive and interpret process and production data for that area. They should also be able to assist others in the use of the planning software system. Software editing is not required for this unit but the ability to recognise and suggest application improvements is required

What critical aspects of evidence are required to demonstrate competency in this unit ?

Evidence of competent use of planning software and also of assisting their team to use it effectively and efficiently.

In what context should assessment occur ?

Assessment will need to occur on an organisation using planning software or simulation software.

Are there any other units which could or should be assessed with this unit or which relate directly to this unit ?

This unit may be assessed concurrently with other relevant units.

This unit covers the intermediate skill levels in CM for planning software. MSACMT260A Use planning software systems in manufacturing  and MSACMT660A Develop the application of enterprise systems in manufacturing  cover the lowest and highest skill levels respectively.

MSACMT260A Use planning software systems in manufacturing  is specified as a prerequisite, and should be applied to the person's own job.

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 ?

Evidence of routine use over an extended period should be available. Planning software systems will typically log all interactions with it. Interrogation of the planning software system will therefore provide evidence of the operator's use of it. Actions taken may also be accessible from the planning software system itself, or may need other evidence available from the process.

What are the specific resource requirements for this unit ?

Access to an organisation using planning software.

RANGE STATEMENT 

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.

Planning software 

Planning software is a general term applied to a number of software systems which integrate a range of business information such as finance, logistics maintenance and production. It is frequently referred to by names such as ERP, SAP or MRP/MRPII. In some cases it can be integrated with engineering applications such as Systems Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. In such cases MSACMT261A Use SCADA systems in manufacturing  may also be required.

Competitive manufacturing organisations encompass the entire production system, beginning with the customer, and includes the product sales outlet, the final assembler, product design, raw material mining and processing and all tiers of the value chain (sometimes called the supply chain). Any truly 'competitive' system is highly dependent on the demands of its customers and the reliability of its suppliers. No implementation of competitive manufacturing can reach its full potential without including the entire 'enterprise' in its planning.

Value chain 

Competitive manufacturing organisations encompass the entire production system, beginning with the customer, and includes the product sales outlet, the final assembler, product design, raw material mining and processing and all tiers of the value chain (sometimes called the supply chain). Any truly 'competitive' system is highly dependent on the demands of its customers and the reliability of its suppliers. No implementation of competitive manufacturing can reach its full potential without including the entire 'enterprise' in its planning .

Unit Sector 

CM Tools

Corequisite units 

Functional Area