Unit of competency details

Element 

Performance Criteria 

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.

1. Analyse the brief to establish hair design requirements.

1.1. Analyse the specifications of the brief.

1.2. Establish and clarify the user or clients for the proposed product or service to inform hair design concept decisions.

1.3. Identify and clarify specifications, parameters or constraints of the brief, including the legal and ethical constraints  in consultation with client.

1.4. Pro actively seek, review and act upon information needed to inform constructive communication with client.

1.5. Build trust and respect between self and client through effective use of communication skills and demonstration of professional integrity.

2. Develop and refine the hair design brief.

2.1. Identify and source information and references relevant to the development of the hair design concept. 

2.2. Develop concepts and ideas that take account of overall objectives and parameters. 

2.3. Undertake critical analysis  of concept and challenge ideas and approaches taken to ensure responsiveness to project needs.

2.4. Present ideas in an appropriate format or medium  and seek feedback from key stakeholders.

2.5. Use effective communication techniques to generate discussion, debate and critical analysis.

2.6. Re-evaluate and refine options based on own analysis and discourse with others.

2.7. Establish and agree on final nature and scope of design brief with client and accurately document details.

3. Negotiate terms and conditions.

3.1. Negotiate and agree terms and conditions  of the brief according to relevant organisational and professional standards. 

3.2. Clarify, agree and document roles and responsibilities of those involved in the project.

3.3. Confirm agreements in writing, according to organisational requirements.

3.4. Identify the need for and seek specialist advice in developing formal agreements or contracts where appropriate.

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

Required skills 

• communication, presentation and negotiation skills to work with clients to establish and refine hair design briefs
• creative thinking skills to generate and develop concepts and ideas for the hair design brief, including responses to situations where parameters may be quite broad and open or very restrictive
• literacy skills to research and evaluate a wide range of source materials for the development of ideas and concepts
• numeracy skills to develop realistic costings for realisation of the hair design concept
• planning and organisational skills to guide and coordinate the process of negotiating and finalising the hair design brief
• problem-solving skills to pro-actively identify and develop effective solutions to complex challenges of a varied and unpredictable nature
• self-management skills to take responsibility for driving and guiding the brief negotiation process

Required knowledge 

• copyright, moral rights and intellectual property issues and legislation that impact on design relating to hairdressing fashion and media industries
• legal issues that affect negotiations and contracts relevant to the hairdressing, fashion and media industries
• scope, nature and potential variations within the hair design briefs
• sources of information that inform the development of hair design concepts

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

• effectively interpreting the brief to client’s or commissioning organisational specifications
• developing and refining hair design briefs for a hairdressing industry specific purpose
• effective collaboration and communication skills to work with others to develop and refine the hair design brief
• understanding the design process within the hairdressing industry context or design discipline.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure that competency is:

• consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the Assessment Guidelines
• demonstrated in a range of work situations which includes involvement in other related activities relevant to this environment.

Assessment must ensure access to:

• appropriate equipment and media to communicate and present ideas and concepts
• sources of information relevant to the industry context
• interaction with and involvement of others to reflect the collaborative nature of the work, and the communication and negotiation skills required.

For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

Method of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance
• evaluation of a design brief in which the candidate has played a significant development role
• evaluation of reports detailing the processes undertaken for establishing and refining the design brief, including challenges faced and lessons learned for the future
• observation of discussions and negotiations with client and other stakeholders
• written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge of the process and issues surrounding legislation, industry context, sources of information
• evaluation of candidate response to different scenarios to assess ability to adapt approach to different client requirements and contexts.

Guidance information for assessment 

A unit of competency describes an individual skill but people rarely perform one skill at a time. Many skills are combined on a day-to-day basis in the workplace as part of work processes. This does not mean that each skill described by a unit of competency is prerequisite to another—they are related skills.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• SIHHTLS705A Conceive, develop and realise innovative hairdressing concepts for media

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.

Legal and ethical constraints  may include:

• legislation
• regulations
• codes of practice
• ethical principles
• policies and guidelines
• society’s expectations
• cultural expectations and influences
• social responsibilities, e.g. protection of children, environmental issues.

Information and references relevant to the development of the hair design concept  may include:

• creative specialists
• other designers
• others involved in the project
• production teams
• technical specialists
• venue managers.

Overall objectives and parameters  may include:

• audience
• availability of materials, tools, equipment and human resources
• budget constraints
• conflicting competing demands
• environmental sustainability
• organisational vision
• presentation venue or context
• sponsorship
• timeframe
• triple bottom line (social, environmental, economic).

Critical analysis  may include:

• considering how ideas may be adapted
• considering how ideas may be challenged
• drawing links between references and potential designs
• evaluating work of other designers
• making judgements about potential ideas in relation to the budget and available resources
• making judgements about relevance of information and ideas.

Appropriate format or medium  may include:

• digital presentation
• drawings
• electronic presentations
• graphic formats
• models
• photographs
• plans
• prototypes
• verbal description or presentation
• visual diagrams.

Terms and conditions  may relate to:

• conceptual parameters
• contracts
• deliverables
• legal and financial issues such as processes to be used
• ownership and copyright
• reporting
• technical requirements
• time lines.

Organisational and professional standards  may include:

• industry-accepted fee schedules
• industry standards for written agreements
• requirements for written agreements.