Assessor Resource

MSL977001
Contribute to the development of products and applications

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency covers the ability to evaluate a product/application brief and to contribute to the development of products and applications to meet the requirements of the brief.

This unit of competency is applicable to senior technical officers, laboratory supervisors and technical specialists working in all industry sectors. All operations must comply with relevant standards, appropriate procedures and/or workplace requirements.

While no specific licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, laboratory operations are governed by relevant legislation, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements. Local requirements should be checked.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Scope the development project

1.1

Confirm details of new product/application brief

1.2

Specify new product/application requirements

1.3

Analyse existing products (internal and external to workplace) to determine if they meet customer need

1.4

Interpret and apply relevant Acts, regulations and codes of practice

1.5

Prepare product development plan

1.6

Obtain approval for development plan from appropriate personnel

2

Set scope of project

2.1

Estimate resource requirements, including staffing, equipment and materials needed to undertake the project

2.2

Identify roles and responsibilities of project team members

2.3

Identify quality requirements and quality standards

2.4

Prepare project timelines taking into account any constraints

3

Develop new product formulation

3.1

Prepare documentation for new product pilot batch

3.2

Evaluate/recommend materials for new product/application

3.3

Calculate required quantities of materials and adjust for properties as appropriate

3.4

Develop/modify products in pilot batch scale in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements

3.5

Arrange for product evaluation against development brief

3.6

Modify product/application to meet evaluation recommendations

3.7

Edit documentation and issue to appropriate personnel

3.8

Recommend and evaluate packaging for new product/application

3.9

Prepare protocol for stability (shelf) testing of new product/application

4

Assist with preparation of quality/regulatory compliance procedures/materials

4.1

Develop in-process and laboratory testing protocols

4.2

Prepare product labelling and submit for approval

4.3

Assist in product and analytical method validation

4.4

Implement an effective plant hygiene and asepsis program, if applicable

4.5

Develop good manufacturing principles for medicinal products (GMP)/principles of good laboratory practice (GLP) protocols for approval by appropriate personnel

4.6

Prepare standard operating procedures (SOPs) for quality and laboratory-related procedures

4.7

Prepare work health and safety (WHS) procedures for the laboratory and manufacturing environment and submit for approval

5

Document and report project outcomes

5.1

Document and report project outcomes

5.2

Complete project reporting requirements

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

evaluating at least one (1) product/application brief, preparing the product development plan and contributing significantly to product/application development

interpreting a brief to determine product or application development requirements

interpreting and explaining sections of legislation, codes, regulations and Australian Standards that apply to the tasks undertaken in developing products and applications

applying theoretical knowledge of starting material and formulation principles to develop products or applications

researching alternative formulations and making formulation recommendations for pilot batch manufacture

using environment-friendly strategies for formulations

manufacturing pilot batches

evaluating pilot batches against the project brief

evaluating product or application stability

evaluating the work health and safety (WHS) requirements to be observed for each ingredient during manufacture of product or application

evaluating the WHS suitability of each ingredient for use in the formulation

ensuring that the product or application meets regulatory requirements

documenting the development process in accordance with workplace procedures.

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

principles of product or application development

business goals and their relationship to specific product or application development

new product/application requirements, expected performance outcomes and key indicators

physical and chemical aspects of new product or application development

details of development plan, budget and timeline for new product/application

principles and practices of operation of pilot batch equipment

uses, characteristics and limitations of formulation starting materials

formulation development procedures

details of regulatory compliance, quality and stability testing protocols and procedures required for new product/application

relevant hazards, WHS and environment requirements.

Judgment of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event.

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. A simulated workplace environment must reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including the environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept in each case).

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSL977002 Troubleshoot equipment and/or production processes

MSL977003 Contribute to the validation of test methods

MSL977004 Develop or adapt analyses and procedures

Holistic assessment methods include:

review of development brief and development plan (budget, timeline, resources and quality requirements) prepared by the candidate

review of new product/application documentation (formulation, evaluation and quality/regulatory compliance procedures) prepared by the candidate

feedback from supervisors and clients confirming the details of contributions made by the candidate to the development of new product/application

oral or written questioning covering principles of product or application development and the candidate’s specific contributions to the development of new product/application.

Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:

a standard laboratory equipped with appropriate pilot batch manufacturing and testing equipment

online data search facilities

starting material and product formulation information

scheduling charts and project plans

standard operating procedures (SOPs) and workplace guidelines.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

The assessor must demonstrate both technical competence and currency.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR

relevant workplace experience.

Currency can be demonstrated through:

performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR

having consulted with a laboratory about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Scope the development project

1.1

Confirm details of new product/application brief

1.2

Specify new product/application requirements

1.3

Analyse existing products (internal and external to workplace) to determine if they meet customer need

1.4

Interpret and apply relevant Acts, regulations and codes of practice

1.5

Prepare product development plan

1.6

Obtain approval for development plan from appropriate personnel

2

Set scope of project

2.1

Estimate resource requirements, including staffing, equipment and materials needed to undertake the project

2.2

Identify roles and responsibilities of project team members

2.3

Identify quality requirements and quality standards

2.4

Prepare project timelines taking into account any constraints

3

Develop new product formulation

3.1

Prepare documentation for new product pilot batch

3.2

Evaluate/recommend materials for new product/application

3.3

Calculate required quantities of materials and adjust for properties as appropriate

3.4

Develop/modify products in pilot batch scale in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements

3.5

Arrange for product evaluation against development brief

3.6

Modify product/application to meet evaluation recommendations

3.7

Edit documentation and issue to appropriate personnel

3.8

Recommend and evaluate packaging for new product/application

3.9

Prepare protocol for stability (shelf) testing of new product/application

4

Assist with preparation of quality/regulatory compliance procedures/materials

4.1

Develop in-process and laboratory testing protocols

4.2

Prepare product labelling and submit for approval

4.3

Assist in product and analytical method validation

4.4

Implement an effective plant hygiene and asepsis program, if applicable

4.5

Develop good manufacturing principles for medicinal products (GMP)/principles of good laboratory practice (GLP) protocols for approval by appropriate personnel

4.6

Prepare standard operating procedures (SOPs) for quality and laboratory-related procedures

4.7

Prepare work health and safety (WHS) procedures for the laboratory and manufacturing environment and submit for approval

5

Document and report project outcomes

5.1

Document and report project outcomes

5.2

Complete project reporting requirements

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of:

Australian and international standards covering the requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, laboratory design and construction, physical containment levels and facility types, laboratory safety, quality and environmental management systems, and measurement management systems

national WHS standards and codes of practice, national measurement regulations and guidelines, and intellectual property (IP) and copyright legislation

Australian and international standards and guidelines covering specialised analysis, accuracy of measurement methods and results, expression of uncertainty, quantifying uncertainty, Association of Analytical Communities International (AOAC International) Official Methods of Analysis, and Validation of Analytical Procedures

specific codes, guidelines, procedures and methods, such as National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation programs requirements, Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP), principles of good laboratory practice (GLP), Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Code, Australian Dangerous Goods Code, gene technology regulations, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Guidelines, and Therapeutic Goods Regulations

workplace documents, such as SOPs; quality and equipment manuals; calibration and maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures; material, production and product specifications; production and laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures; cleaning, hygiene and personal hygiene requirements; stock records and inventory; and raw material catalogues

sampling procedures (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal)

test procedures (validated and authorised)

Product/application briefs

Product/application briefs are provided by, but are not limited to, one or more of:

internal or external customers

marketing

production

Materials used to manufacture products/applications

Materials used to manufacture products/applications include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

solvents

emulsifiers

thickeners

surfactants

disintegrants

fillers

moisturising materials

colouring materials

flavours

perfumes

opacifiers

propellants

sunscreens

Calculations

Calculations are required to adjust properties, such as:

assay/potency

viscosity

application payload

hardness

moisture content

colour

WHS and environmental management requirements

WHS and environmental management requirements include:

· complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time

· applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples

accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

evaluating at least one (1) product/application brief, preparing the product development plan and contributing significantly to product/application development

interpreting a brief to determine product or application development requirements

interpreting and explaining sections of legislation, codes, regulations and Australian Standards that apply to the tasks undertaken in developing products and applications

applying theoretical knowledge of starting material and formulation principles to develop products or applications

researching alternative formulations and making formulation recommendations for pilot batch manufacture

using environment-friendly strategies for formulations

manufacturing pilot batches

evaluating pilot batches against the project brief

evaluating product or application stability

evaluating the work health and safety (WHS) requirements to be observed for each ingredient during manufacture of product or application

evaluating the WHS suitability of each ingredient for use in the formulation

ensuring that the product or application meets regulatory requirements

documenting the development process in accordance with workplace procedures.

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

principles of product or application development

business goals and their relationship to specific product or application development

new product/application requirements, expected performance outcomes and key indicators

physical and chemical aspects of new product or application development

details of development plan, budget and timeline for new product/application

principles and practices of operation of pilot batch equipment

uses, characteristics and limitations of formulation starting materials

formulation development procedures

details of regulatory compliance, quality and stability testing protocols and procedures required for new product/application

relevant hazards, WHS and environment requirements.

Judgment of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event.

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. A simulated workplace environment must reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including the environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept in each case).

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSL977002 Troubleshoot equipment and/or production processes

MSL977003 Contribute to the validation of test methods

MSL977004 Develop or adapt analyses and procedures

Holistic assessment methods include:

review of development brief and development plan (budget, timeline, resources and quality requirements) prepared by the candidate

review of new product/application documentation (formulation, evaluation and quality/regulatory compliance procedures) prepared by the candidate

feedback from supervisors and clients confirming the details of contributions made by the candidate to the development of new product/application

oral or written questioning covering principles of product or application development and the candidate’s specific contributions to the development of new product/application.

Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:

a standard laboratory equipped with appropriate pilot batch manufacturing and testing equipment

online data search facilities

starting material and product formulation information

scheduling charts and project plans

standard operating procedures (SOPs) and workplace guidelines.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

The assessor must demonstrate both technical competence and currency.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR

relevant workplace experience.

Currency can be demonstrated through:

performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR

having consulted with a laboratory about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Confirm details of new product/application brief 
Specify new product/application requirements 
Analyse existing products (internal and external to workplace) to determine if they meet customer need 
Interpret and apply relevant Acts, regulations and codes of practice 
Prepare product development plan 
Obtain approval for development plan from appropriate personnel 
Estimate resource requirements, including staffing, equipment and materials needed to undertake the project 
Identify roles and responsibilities of project team members 
Identify quality requirements and quality standards 
Prepare project timelines taking into account any constraints 
Prepare documentation for new product pilot batch 
Evaluate/recommend materials for new product/application 
Calculate required quantities of materials and adjust for properties as appropriate 
Develop/modify products in pilot batch scale in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements 
Arrange for product evaluation against development brief 
Modify product/application to meet evaluation recommendations 
Edit documentation and issue to appropriate personnel 
Recommend and evaluate packaging for new product/application 
Prepare protocol for stability (shelf) testing of new product/application 
Develop in-process and laboratory testing protocols 
Prepare product labelling and submit for approval 
Assist in product and analytical method validation 
Implement an effective plant hygiene and asepsis program, if applicable 
Develop good manufacturing principles for medicinal products (GMP)/principles of good laboratory practice (GLP) protocols for approval by appropriate personnel 
Prepare standard operating procedures (SOPs) for quality and laboratory-related procedures 
Prepare work health and safety (WHS) procedures for the laboratory and manufacturing environment and submit for approval 
Document and report project outcomes 
Complete project reporting requirements 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL977001 - Contribute to the development of products and applications
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

MSL977001 - Contribute to the development of products and applications

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: