This unit of competency supports the work of those involved in preparing project design briefs in the property industry.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Determine facility requirements.

1.1 Facility requirements are confirmed and agreed with relevant people.

1.2 Relevant information, including applicable industry, legislative and organisational requirements is reviewed to ensure compliance with critical planning requirements.

1.3 Project objectives and time lines are developed, negotiated and confirmed according to organisational policies and procedures.

1.4 Special client requirements are determined and expert industry advice is sought as required.

2Establish design concepts.

2.1 Design parameters are established based on examination of research and feasibility data.

2.2 Design documentation and specifications are prepared according to client and industry requirements.

2.3 Relevant codes and standards are examined to establish their impact on design concepts and human and environmental needs.

3Prepare design brief.

3.1 Design brief is prepared that addresses client and project requirements and is in an appropriate format for dissemination to relevant people.

3.2 Project costings are established and a construction budget negotiated and confirmed in consultation with relevant people.

3.3 Constructive feedback is reviewed and adjustments are made to design brief as appropriate.

3.4 Final design brief is lodged within designated time lines and relevant documentation is securely maintained according to organisational and legislative requirements.

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

Required skills:

communication skills to discuss issues that may impact on others, include relevant people in the design process, receive feedback and evaluate design brief

computing skills to access the internet and web pages, prepare and complete online forms, lodge electronic documents and search online databases

interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and varying physical and mental abilities

literacy skills to prepare required documentation and information for those involved in design process and to access and interpret relevant design information, plans and specifications

organisational skills to plan and arrange activities to prepare a design brief and to schedule and meet time lines

technical skills to complete reports, use and understand design software such as CAD, and use planning and scheduling software.

Required knowledge and understanding:

a range of building types and the use best suited to each type of building

basic knowledge of property contracts and administrative requirements

building codes and practices relating to fit-out

building construction practices

building control legislation, codes and relevant Australian standards

building structures and their benefits and drawbacks

industry practices and benchmarks for contracts

organisational and professional procedures, ethical practices and business standards

planning and scheduling techniques and software

relevant federal and state or territory legislation and local government regulations related to:

anti-discrimination

consumer protection

environmental issues

equal employment opportunity (EEO)

financial probity

franchise and business structures

industrial relations

OHS

privacy

property sales, leasing and management.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed through practical demonstration of preparing design briefs. Targeted written (including alternative formats where necessary) or verbal questioning to assess the candidate's underpinning knowledge would provide additional supporting evidence of competence. The demonstration and questioning would include collecting evidence of the candidate's knowledge and application of ethical standards and relevant federal, and state or territory legislation and regulations. This assessment may be carried out in a simulated or workplace environment.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

accurately determining facility design requirements and special client needs through consultation activities

determining design budget and project costings

knowledge of organisation's practices, ethical standards and legislative requirements associated with preparing design briefs

producing a design brief that clearly sets out requirements for completion of design

reviewing relevant codes and standards and developing design concepts that incorporate budget requirements and design parameters.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Resource implications for assessment include:

a registered provider of assessment services

assessment materials and tools

candidate special requirements

competency standards

cost and time considerations

suitable assessment venue and equipment

workplace documentation.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence require that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice with a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be current and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.

In all cases activity and must include evidence relating to each of the where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in such a manner as is appropriate to the language and literacy levels of the candidate and any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

Facility requirements may relate to:

aspect

building useable space

fit-out and finishes

special purpose building.

Relevant people may include:

architects and designers

bankers and financiers

builders

business consultants

clients

investment consultants

planners

project management consultants

property owners

quantity surveyors

real estate agents

solicitors

surveyors

tenants

valuers.

Legislative requirements may be outlined and reflected in:

Australian standards

environmental and zoning laws affecting access security, access and property use

freedom of information

home building requirements

privacy and confidentiality requirements and laws applying to owners, contractors and tenants

public health

quality assurance and certification requirements

relevant common law

relevant federal, and state or territory legislation and regulations affecting organisational operation, including:

anti-discrimination and diversity

environmental issues

EEO

industrial relations

OHS

relevant industry codes of practice covering the market sector and industry, financial transactions, taxation, environment, construction, land use, native title, zoning, utilities use (water, gas and electricity), and contract or common law

relevant local government policies and regulations

strata, community and company titles

tenancy agreements

trade practices laws and guidelines.

Organisational requirements may be outlined and reflected in:

access and equity principles and practice guidelines

business and performance plans

complaint and dispute resolution procedures

emergency and evacuation procedures

employer and employee rights and responsibilities

goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes

legal and ethical requirements and codes of practice

mission statements and strategic plans

OHS policies, procedures and programs

policies and procedures in relation to client service

policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility

quality and continuous improvement processes and standards

quality assurance and procedure manuals

records and information systems and processes.

Design parameters may relate to:

aesthetics

financial constraints

maximum and best asset use

tenancy possibilities.

Design documentation may include:

artwork

bills of quantity

computer models

forms of contracts

plans and specifications

schedules.

Design brief may include:

estimated project costings

preliminary cost limitations

project concept and objective

sketch plans and layouts

time lines

user and client needs.

Construction budget may include:

consultants' fees

contingencies

costings of all component construction parts

council fees

development management fees

leases

other allowances.

Feedback may include:

formal and informal discussions, reviews and evaluations with:

existing and previous clients

peers, colleagues and managers

information provided by others involved in a professional capacity, both internal and external to the organisation.

Unit sector

Property development, sales and management

Property operations and development

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged, will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.