Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan, monitor and evaluate new product trials.
The unit applies to individuals who work with a team of specialists to develop and engineer new products, and to manage trials in a production environment. They take personal responsibility and exercise autonomy in undertaking complex work. They analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of advanced, skilled activities.
No occupational licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. However, legislative and regulatory requirements for food processing exist, so local requirements must be checked. All work must comply with Australian food safety standards and relevant codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Establish trial parameters | 1.1 Define new product specifications 1.2 Identify production resource requirements 1.3 Establish project budget and timeline 1.4 Ensure trial is of appropriate size to provide reliable process and production information, following workplace procedures |
2. Prepare for new product trial | 2.1 Scale new product recipe or formula to suit trial production 2.2 Identify and confirm raw materials and ingredients, packaging components and consumables, to meet trial requirements 2.3 Identify available and suitable production equipment and safe operating procedures 2.4 Ensure availability and competency of production personnel to successfully operate the trial process 2.5 Identify environmental, food safety, and work health and safety (WHS) hazards of the trial process and determine appropriate control methods 2.6 Achieve consensus on trial documentation format and procedures 2.7 Establish trial schedule and identify, monitor and address barriers and constraints to achieving schedule |
3. Develop and communicate information on the trial process | 3.1 Inform personnel in related work areas and functions about trial status and progress 3.2 Advise operators directly participating in the trial of parameters, roles and responsibilities 3.3 Communicate advice on product specifications and operating procedures to the project team |
4. Monitor trial progress | 4.1 Monitor trial process to identify actual and potential barriers to achieving schedule 4.2 Ensure trial product is produced within specifications 4.3 Identify or investigate out-of-specification or unacceptable outcomes 4.4 Identify unusual or atypical conditions that could affect achievement of the schedule 4.5 Report and make modifications according to trial arrangements |
5. Evaluate trial outcome | 5.1 Review trial objectives against trial outcomes 5.2 Assess resource allocations against plan 5.3 Assess trial product against specifications 5.4 Compare production parameters and operating conditions with scheduled performance 5.5 Identify and investigate significant variances 5.6 Identify and report improvement opportunities |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Writing | Prepare documentation expressing ideas and concepts for the development, evaluation and reporting of product trials; and ensure they are constructed logically, succinctly and accurately |
Numeracy | Analyse mathematical information in a range of tasks during the development, costing, scheduling and analysis of product trials |
Get the work done | Gather and analyse data and seek feedback to improve plans and processes Address complex problems using formal analytical, lateral thinking techniques, experience and knowledge to focus in on trial design parameters |
Sectors
Technical (TEC)