Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

BSBSMB411A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Manage specialist external advisory services

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency BSBSMB411A - Manage specialist external advisory services
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify and select suitable external advisory services for a small business or work area operation, and to monitor and review the services provided.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to individuals who use research and organisational skills in planning the introduction of new or specialist services, resources or processes.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Locate specialist external advisory services
  • Identify skill gaps of current staff to determine the nature of the external expertise required to meet the business need
  • Research information about the specialist services to determine if there are any specific industry or regulatory requirements that apply to the service
  • Prioritise the services required by the business and document according to organisational procedures
  • Determine the estimated cost of the services and identify the budget or funding source to purchase external expertise
       
Element: Select a specialist advisor or company
  • Organise a quote or advertise for the provision of the specialist service according to organisational requirements
  • Establish a process and criteria for shortlisting the potential contractors
  • Select the most suitable applicant according to the established criteria and the business’ requirements and procedures
  • Document the selection process and outcome following organisational procedures
  • Ensure successful and unsuccessful applicants are advised of the outcome and provided with feedback if needed
       
Element: Negotiate services to be provided
  • Review and clearly specify the terms and conditions of the quotation or contract
  • Clarify and confirm what is required of the specialist advisor, including expectations of performance and outcomes
  • Obtain and action legal advice on contract requirements, if necessary
  • Formally sign off on the quotation or contract following organisational procedures
  • Familiarise the specialist advisor with the business and its personnel as part of induction
       
Element: Monitor performance
  • Check that milestones and deliverables are achieved according to the terms and conditions of the quotation or contract
  • Discuss progress and review against agreed terms and conditions in line with organisational procedures
  • Collaborate to raise any issues or concerns, and follow up and document according to organisational procedures
  • Organise progress and final payments against milestones and key deliverables in a timely manner according to organisational procedures
  • Evaluate effectiveness and suitability of the specialist advisor in achieving the objectives
       


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.

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 ability to:

locate and select a specialist external advisory service relevant to the business that meets specific organisational requirements

negotiate and document the services required, including terms and conditions

monitor the milestones and deliverables, and evaluate the effectiveness of the specialist external advisory services.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to relevant documentation

candidate’s individual business need is used as the basis for assessment.

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:

portfolio of prioritised information relating to external expert services or specialist advice relevant to the business

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of specialist services relevant to the candidate’s business.

Guidance information for assessment

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

BSBSMB404A Undertake small business planning

BSBSMB405B Monitor and manage small business operations

BSBSMB410A Review and implement energy efficiency in business operations.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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.

Required skills

analytical skills to identify required expertise for the business

communication skills to request and convey information to others

literacy skills to interpret a range of contractual information, business documentation and technical specifications

negotiation and conflict-resolution skills to finalise and monitor contracted services

numeracy skills to analyse and compare data, including quotations and costs

research skills to source and analyse information about advisory services.

Required knowledge

key steps in engaging external specialist advisors or services

negotiation and conflict-resolution strategies

organisational and industry requirements relating to specialist advisory services for the business:

required licences, industry registration, government approval, and professional membership

minimum qualifications

vendor approval or certification.

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.

External expertise may include:

accounting and financial planning

business development

environmental and sustainability expertise:

energy efficiency and clean energy

fleet vehicles and transportation

product expertise

review and audit experience

waste management and recycling

IT and computing:

cloud computing

supply of equipment

technical support

trade skills

legal

project management

research

training:

accredited

formal and non-formal.

Information may include:

directories

government departments, such as:

Consumer Affairs

Office of Fair Trading

industry and professional associations

networks and recommendations

newspaper and online advertisements.

Specific industry or regulatory requirements may include:

government approvals

licences, such as:

for financial planning

trade licences

industry registration

membership of professional associations

minimum qualifications

vendor approval or certification.

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
Identify skill gaps of current staff to determine the nature of the external expertise required to meet the business need 
Research information about the specialist services to determine if there are any specific industry or regulatory requirements that apply to the service 
Prioritise the services required by the business and document according to organisational procedures 
Determine the estimated cost of the services and identify the budget or funding source to purchase external expertise 
Organise a quote or advertise for the provision of the specialist service according to organisational requirements 
Establish a process and criteria for shortlisting the potential contractors 
Select the most suitable applicant according to the established criteria and the business’ requirements and procedures 
Document the selection process and outcome following organisational procedures 
Ensure successful and unsuccessful applicants are advised of the outcome and provided with feedback if needed 
Review and clearly specify the terms and conditions of the quotation or contract 
Clarify and confirm what is required of the specialist advisor, including expectations of performance and outcomes 
Obtain and action legal advice on contract requirements, if necessary 
Formally sign off on the quotation or contract following organisational procedures 
Familiarise the specialist advisor with the business and its personnel as part of induction 
Check that milestones and deliverables are achieved according to the terms and conditions of the quotation or contract 
Discuss progress and review against agreed terms and conditions in line with organisational procedures 
Collaborate to raise any issues or concerns, and follow up and document according to organisational procedures 
Organise progress and final payments against milestones and key deliverables in a timely manner according to organisational procedures 
Evaluate effectiveness and suitability of the specialist advisor in achieving the objectives 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

BSBSMB411A - Manage specialist external advisory services
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

BSBSMB411A - Manage specialist external advisory services

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: