Unit of competency details

Release 

TP Version 

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3

PSP12V1

Unit descriptor edited.

2

PSP04V4.2.

Layout adjusted. No changes to content.

1

PSP04V4.1

Primary release.

Elements are the essential outcomes of the unit of competency.

Together, performance criteria specify the requirements for competent performance. Text in bold italics   is explained in the Range Statement following.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 . Define project 

1.1 Project scope  and other relevant documentation are accessed in accordance with organisational policy and procedures .

1.2 Project stakeholders  are identified and their interest in or relationship to the project is established.

1.3 Clarification is sought from delegating authority  of any issues related to the project and project parameters .

1.4 Limits of own responsibility and reporting requirements are confirmed.

1.5 Relationship of the project to other projects and to the organisation's objectives is clarified.

1.6 Available resources to undertake the project are determined and accessed in accordance with organisational requirements.

2. Develop detailed project plan 

2.1 A project plan  is developed that identifies in detail how the project will be executed and managed in relation to the project parameters.

2.2 Project management tools  are identified and accessed in accordance with project requirements.

2.3 A communication strategy and risk management plan that address the project, organisational and legislative requirements are contained within the project plan.

2.4 A timeline for completion of activities and a budget, developed and approved in accordance with organisational procedures, are included within the project plan.

2.5 Stakeholders' understanding of and agreement to fulfil the project requirements and their roles and responsibilities are confirmed.

2.6 Project plan is finalised and any necessary approvals are gained to commence the project according to the documented plan.

3 . Administer and monitor project 

3.1 Support  is provided to ensure that the quality of the expected deliverables of the project and documented timelines are met.

3.2 Required recordkeeping  systems are established and maintained throughout the project.

3.3 Component plans  that identify how key aspects of the project will be managed are implemented and monitored in accordance with set requirements.

3.4 Project reports are completed and forwarded as required in accordance with the project communication strategy.

3.5 Risk management  is undertaken in accordance with the project plan to ensure project requirements are achieved in accordance with the project plan.

3.6 Project deliverables are completed to the required standard, in the required timeframe and within budget.

4 . Finalise project 

4.1 Any financial recordkeeping associated with the project is completed and checked for accuracy.

4.2 Staff involved in the project are de-briefed before assignment to new or previous roles.

4.3 Project documentation is completed and signed off  in accordance with organisational procedures.

5 . Review project 

5.1 Project deliverables and processes are reviewed against the project scope and plan.

5.2 Stakeholders are involved in the review of the project.

5.3 Lessons learnt from the project are documented and reported in accordance with organisational requirements.

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

Skill requirements 

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

• detailing requirements, writing recommendations and preparing reports requiring complex language structures and precision of expression
• negotiating timelines, roles and responsibilities with team members
• communicating with stakeholders using a range of communication styles to suit different audiences and purposes
• responding to diversity, including gender and disability
• leading and managing a project team
• managing time and costs
• using project management tools
• applying quality management techniques including testing and auditing as appropriate
• applying workplace safety procedures in line with project requirements
• accessing/preparing information electronically or in hard copy

Knowledge requirements 

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of:

• legislation, organisational policies and procedures that may impact on the project and management of the project, for example:

• public sector codes of ethics/conduct
• occupational health and safety and environment and sustainability

• project governance requirements
• quality standards
• risk management
• procurement
• human resources
• equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity principles
• organisational structure and lines of authority within organisation
• project management tools to suit the projects administered
• evaluation techniques for projects

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.

Units to be assessed together 

• Pre-requisite units that must  be achieved prior  to this unit:Nil
• Co-requisite units that must  be assessed with  this unit:Nil
• Co-assessed units that may  be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to:

• PSPETHC401A Uphold and support the values and principles of public service
• PSPGOV402B Deliver and monitor service to clients
• PSPGOV403B Use resources to achieve work unit goals
• PSPGOV404B Develop and implement work unit plans
• PSPGOV411A Deal with conflict
• PSPGOV412A Use advanced workplace communication strategies
• PSPGOV422A Apply government processes
• PSPLEGN401A Encourage compliance with legislation in the public sector
• PSPOHS401B Implement workplace safety procedures and programs
• PSPPROC410A Administer contracts

• Excluded units that may not  contribute to the same qualification as this unit:

• PSPPM401B Design simple projects
• PSPPM402B Manage simple projects
• PSPPM403B Close simple projects

Overview of evidence requirements 

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:

• the knowledge requirements of this unit
• the skill requirements of this unit
• application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit (see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework)
• administration of simple projects in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)

Resources required to carry out assessment 

These resources include:

• legislation, guidelines, procedures and protocols relating to project management
• workplace project documentation
• scenarios and case studies
• examples of project management tools

Where and how to assess evidence 

Valid assessment of this unit requires:

• a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when administering projects, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
• evidence of administration of simple projects in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions over time)

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

• people with disabilities
• people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• women
• young people
• older people
• people in rural and remote locations

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:

• case studies
• demonstration
• portfolios
• questioning
• scenarios
• authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses

For consistency of assessment 

Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments

The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics  in the Performance Criteria is explained here.

Project scope  and other relevant documentation refers to:

• project proposal
• tender documents
• contract or other agreement
• project plan or summary
• other documents outlining:

• expected outcomes of the project
• inclusions and exclusions from project
• timeframes for project
• quality standards for project
• project resources

Policy and procedures  may include:

• government legislation (Federal, State and Local) affecting organisation's administration such as:

• public sector management acts
• financial management and accounting legislation and regulations
• privacy legislation
• environmental/sustainability legislation

• government and organisational guidelines and procedures relating to:

• project governance
• resourcing
• security
• strategic plans
• recruitment
• risk management
• procurement guidelines
• designation approvals
• industrial agreements

Stakeholders  may include:

• project sponsor/funding bodies
• clients or customers (internal and external)
• industry
• other agencies
• general public
• relevant interest groups
• unions
• functional areas
• the organisation's senior management
• Ministers
• project team
• steering committee
• end user
• supplier/service provider

Delegating authority  may include:

• project sponsor
• business owner of the project
• program manager
• specialist project management office
• CEO, manager or management representative
• funding body
• customer or client

Project parameters  may include:

• scope of project
• quality standards
• timelines
• finances for project
• integration of project within organisation
• risks associated with project
• reporting requirements
• procurement requirements associated with project
• physical and human resources available or required for project

Project plan  will include some or all of:

• acquisition strategies
• budget and financial management strategy
• continuous improvement process established for the project
• contract management
• cost estimates
• evaluation criteria
• expected outcomes/measurable benefits of the project
• facilities
• inclusions and exclusions from project
• information/communication strategy
• intellectual property strategies
• milestones
• objectives
• outputs/project deliverables and their acceptance criteria
• people plan including human resource management and human resource development
• performance criteria/indicators
• project control mechanisms
• project implementation strategy
• project governance strategy
• purpose
• quality assurance
• quality control
• quality standards for project
• rationale
• required project resources
• resource management
• risk management
• roles and responsibilities
• schedule/timeline
• task/work breakdown structure (WBS)

Project management tools  may include:

• risk analysis
• organisational project governance framework
• communications plan
• reporting framework
• project management software and other tools:

• Gantt and bar charts
• Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) charts
• Critical Path Method
• cost schedule control system
• logistics support analysis
• life cycle cost analysis
• spreadsheets
• recording systems - electronic and manual

Support  may include:

• mentoring and coaching
• feedback
• encouragement
• additional physical and human resources (within allocated budget) if and as required
• regular meetings

Recordkeeping  may include systems for:

• financial data including costs, expenditure, income generated, purchases, contracts
• quality data including survey, needs, test results
• recording of time spent on project and progress in completing project
• progress reports
• performance reports against milestones
• correspondence
• samples, prototypes, models
• project deliverables/outputs and outcomes

Component plans  may relate to:

• risk management
• schedule management
• financial management
• communication, including reporting
• resources management
• logistics management
• scope management
• change management
• quality management
• people management

Risk management  may include:

• removing the risk
• minimising the risk
• accepting the risk
• preparing a contingency plan
• allocation of reserves
• reducing costs
• researching and applying more efficient methods of completing project tasks
• seeking further resources to meet deadline
• negotiating an extension of deadline or redefining completion or quantities or quality of deliverables
• sharing of ideas to gain improvements to work undertaken within the project
• outsourcing some aspects of the project
• changing roles and responsibilities within project team

Sign-offs  may be required by:

• project sponsor
• business owner of the project
• program manager
• specialist project management office
• chief executive officer, manager or management representative
• funding body
• customer or client