Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to conduct a testing process. It includes managing the testing process, capturing data and adhering to the test plan.

Application of the Unit 

This unit was developed for Defence test and evaluation workers but is applicable to individuals who work in this field.

Typically these individuals must work independently or as part of a team under direct and indirect supervision, use discretion and judgement, and take responsibility for the quality of their output. All activities are carried out in accordance with relevant organisational policy and procedures.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Pre-requisite Unit /s 

Nil

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Initiate testing processes 

1.1 Stakeholders  and test participants are briefed in accordance with organisational policy and procedures , and test plan 

1.2 Safety systems  and procedures are checked and initiated in accordance with organisational policy and procedures, and test plan

1.3 Test and evaluation activities are commenced in accordance with the approved test plan

1.4 Qualitative tests to observe relevant critical parameters are performed in accordance with organisational policy and procedures, and test plan

1.5 Quantitative tests to measure relevant critical parameters are performed in accordance with organisational policy and procedures, and test plan

1.6 Test data is collected and recorded in accordance with organisational procedures

2. Monitor testing processes 

2.1 Test plans are monitored and amended based on changing circumstances in consultation with team members, and precise details are included for schedules of activities, milestones and resources

2.2 Required systems  are monitored throughout the process in accordance with test plan

2.3 Risks are identified and the risk management  process is applied in accordance with test plan

2.4 Management tools  are applied throughout the process to achieve outcomes, in accordance with test plan

2.5 Data  is compared with standards, charts and tables in order to meet compliance with required specification or test specific requirements

2.6 Initial analyses are checked in accordance with test plan procedures when non-standard results are obtained

2.7 Contingencies are recognised and managed in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

3. Finalise testing processes 

3.1 Evaluation of testing process, equipment performance and achievement against objectives is undertaken and initial results are reported in accordance with organisational policy and procedures, and test plan

3.2 Security and confidentiality of data is maintained in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements

3.3 Stakeholders and test participants are debriefed in accordance with organisational policy and procedures, and test plan

3.4 Test data is forwarded for analysis in accordance with organisational policy and procedures, and test plan

3.5 Management plans and any related contracts are reviewed and amended as appropriate in accordance with test plan

3.6 Review of objectives and achievement is conducted and outcomes are prepared for test report in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills 

• access/prepare information electronically or in hard copy
• apply risk management techniques
• apply timelines, roles and responsibilities in consultation with stakeholders and team members
• communicate with stakeholders using a range of communication styles to suit different audiences and purposes
• detail requirements, write recommendations and monitor plans requiring precision of expression
• monitor workplace safety issues
• schedule testing activities
• use management techniques related to testing that may be reasonably complex in terms of scope; degree of risk; environmental, political, cultural and social factors that apply; consequences of failure; degree of control
• use management tools suited to the conduct of testing processes
• use public relations strategies to promote and gain endorsement

Required Knowledge 

• approval processes
• change management
• contingency planning and management processes
• cost schedule control systems
• integrated logistics support
• legislation, organisational policy and procedures that may impact on the test and evaluation process
• management tools suited to the conduct of testing processes
• principles relating to the conduct phase of testing processes
• resource management
• scheduling packages
• test and evaluation processes which may be reasonably complex in terms of scope; degree of risk; environmental, political, cultural and social factors that apply; consequences of failure; degree of control
• work breakdown structure (WBS)

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

• Nil

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over time and should be observed in a range of actual or simulated work contexts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access is required to:

• computer and relevant software
• legislation, guidelines, procedures and protocols relating to planning and management
• workplace documentation.

Guidance information for assessment 

In all cases, assessment should be supported by questions to assess required knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly. Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands such as literacy and the needs of particular groups.

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit may include , but are not limited to , a combination of :

• authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training programs
• case studies
• demonstration
• feedback from supervisors and peers regarding the candidate's ability
• observation
• portfolios
• projects
• questioning
• reviews or reports prepared by the candidate
• scenarios
• simulation or role plays.

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Stakeholders may include 

Clients or customers (internal and external)

End user/s

General public

Industry

Landowner/s

Organisation's senior management

Other agencies

Other functional areas within the organisation

Project teams

Relevant interest groups

Sponsor/funding bodies

Steering committee members

Supplier/service provider

Unions

Organisations may include 

Defence

Defence contractors and sub-contractors

Defence Materiel Organisation

Defence Science and Technology Organisation

International test agencies

Universities

Policy and procedures may include 

Relevant commonwealth, state/territory and local legislation affecting organisation's administration such as:

• financial management and accounting legislation and regulations
• occupational health and safety (OH&S) legislation
• public sector management acts

Government and organisational policy, guidelines and procedures relating to:

• delegation approvals
• industrial agreements
• procurement guidelines
• resourcing
• risk management
• security
• strategic or operational plans
• technical and regulatory framework
• testing and evaluation
• training

Test plans may include 

Acquisition strategies

Budget and financial management strategy

Contract management

Cost estimates

Evaluation criteria

Expected/measurable outcomes

Facilities

Functional performance specifications

Governance strategy

Implementation strategy

Inclusions and exclusions

Information/communication strategy

Intellectual property strategies

Milestones

Objectives

Occupational concept document

People plan including human resource management and human resource development

Performance criteria/indicators

Purpose

Quality assurance

Quality control

Quality standards

Rationale

Required resources

Resource management

Risk management

Roles and responsibilities

Safety criteria

Schedule/timeline

Specific equipment, instrumentation, and/or specialised facilities and required conditions

Task/WBS

Test and evaluation master plan (TEMP) criteria

Test Concept Document (TCD)

Testing control mechanisms

Testing deliverables and their acceptance criteria

Safety systems may include 

Checklists

Hazard analysis

NOTAMS

OH&S

Physical constraints

Risk analysis

Systems safety management plans

Required systems may include 

Data collection systems

Financial management

Planning and monitoring system

Recordkeeping for documented information such as:

• contracts
• correspondence
• outcomes
• performance reports against milestones
• progress reports
• quality data including test results, survey, needs
• samples, prototypes, models
• time allocated and spent

Risk management may include 

Acceptance

Avoidance

Minimisation

Transfer

Management tools may include 

Communications plan

Life cycle cost analysis

Logistics support analysis

Organisational testing governance framework

Recording systems - electronic and manual

Reporting framework

Risk analysis

Spreadsheets

Test and evaluation management software and other tools:

• cost schedule control system
• critical path method
• Gantt and bar charts
• program evaluation and review technique (PERT) charts

Data may include 

Audio

Electronic (digital or analogue) recordings/logs

Imagery including satellite

Observations

Physical components

Physical evidence

Qualitative statements

Statistical results

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil