Unit of competency details

1

Define parameters of new/improved product

1.1

Consult with relevant stakeholders to determine required function, performance and aesthetics of new product

1.2

Identify market, expected time to market and cost constraints of product and production process

1.3

Identify requirements with possible high sustainability impacts

1.4

Negotiate requirements to achieve desired sustainability impacts

1.5

Develop agreed definition of product requirements

2

Develop alternative product and process designs

2.1

Identify alternative resource requirements

2.2

Identify alternative processes

2.3

Determine the possible sustainability impacts of different combinations of resources and processes

2.4

Test alternative product and process designs against original product requirement definitions

2.5

Identify product requirements which may be causing significant sustainability impacts

2.6

Renegotiate, where possible, product requirements to lessen sustainability impacts

2.7

Short-list preferred resources and processes

3

Evaluate life cycle impacts

3.1

Estimate life cycle sustainability impacts for each short-listed alternative

3.2

Identify process steps with greatest sustainability impact

3.3

Evaluate process steps for alternatives/modifications with lower impact

3.4

Select alternative which best meets requirements and has the lowest sustainability impact

4

Confirm design

4.1

Develop selected design as required

4.2

Confirm life cycle sustainability impacts

4.3

Review design against product requirements

4.4

Obtain required authorisations

4.5

Document design in the required form

5

Prepare for implementation

5.1

Consult with key stakeholders

5.2

Identify key measures for monitoring implementation of design

5.3

Identify data sources required by key measures

5.4

Organise for data to be captured and manipulated, as required

Required knowledge includes:

• sustainability impacts from using different materials and different processes and to produce products of different specifications and life cycle outcomes
• alternative sources of materials and components and the sustainability differences of each
• alternative processes and the sustainability differences of each, including expression in terms of carbon equivalence
• product and process design
• design documentation
• methods of monitoring of product development and manufacture
• AS/NZS ISO 14000 Environmental Management Standards

Required skills include:

• communicating complex concepts and designs to stakeholders
• consulting and negotiating with stakeholders on possible alternatives
• analysing processes, logistics, material usages, costs and benefits, including expressing the results of analyses in carbon equivalence
• life cycle estimation
• determining sustainability impacts from material/components and process interactions
• designing products and manufacturing processes for optimal sustainability outcome

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to design products and associated processes to achieve optimal sustainability outcomes over the product life cycle.

The assessment emphasis is on the ability to design for sustainability not on the engineering or other technical aspects of the design process.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:

• including sustainability in definition of product requirements
• design optimises the sustainability outcomes over product life cycle or process
• design includes means of monitoring sustainability outcomes over product life cycle or process.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

• This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.
• Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.
• This unit of competency may be assessed with other relevant units addressing sustainability at the enterprise level or other units requiring the exercise of the skills and knowledge covered by this unit.
• The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Method of assessment

• In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.
• Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
• The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work-like environment.

Guidance information for assessment

Parameters of new product

Parameters of new product may include:

• function
• form
• market
• desired sustainability performance
• cost

Sustainability impact

The sustainability impact of a product and process may include:

• resource footprint (e.g. carbon and water) of product and process
• current and future availability of raw materials
• current and future availability of energy
• waste generation and disposal
• efficiency of process
• the extent to which the production process and product affects the environment, including effects on:

• climate
• quality of local air and water
• ecology
• noise

• relationship with the local and broader community, (e.g. effect of operations on aesthetic appearance, preservation of heritage, and proximity to schools and religious facilities)
• extent of regulatory oversight and cost of compliance

Resource

Resource includes:

• both materials and energy

Review design

Review design includes:

• ensuring product and process meets requirements
• analysis to identify further improvements