Application
This unit applies to an individual in an organisation adopting specific competitive systems and practices, usually either six sigma or statistical process control/three sigma, as a means of determining and improving the capability of their process to customer requirements. The individual is involved in collecting specified data and performing specified manipulations to the data (typically by plotting on a chart or by entering into a nominated computer program). The information is typically presented to team members in terms of graphs/charts which they are expected to interpret at a basic level and then take action in accordance with procedures to restore the process to being under control parameters.
This unit requires the application of skills associated with entering and monitoring operational data and information and requires initiative, enterprise and problem solving in identifying production variations and making improvement recommendations.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and 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. |
Required Skills
Required skills |
Required skills include: reading and interpreting electronic and hard copy operating instructions and documents, including where used: work instructions standard operating procedures formulas/recipes production and batch sheets temporary instructions other provided operating instructions monitoring performance data against specifications and control parameters examining equipment procedures, products and processes for possible causes of variations identifying when corrective action is required by reference to procedures |
Required knowledge |
Required knowledge includes: data collection methods for operations in work area data processing techniques required basic variability and normal distribution recognition of identifiable causes in accordance with procedures causes of different types of identifiable causes as defined by procedures actions to be taken for the different causes |
Evidence Required
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. | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence should be available of data collected and processed. There may also be evidence of assignable causes recognised and action taken. There should not be evidence of assignable causes being ignored. A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to: identify the scope of operations, including required performance parameters in their work area collect, enter and process data, including normal performance and variations read and interpret data, including identifying variation to set parameters determine where assignable causes can be allocated to variations and take appropriate action participate in data collection, when required, for process capability trials contribute suggestions for improvement. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment of performance must be undertaken in a workplace using or implementing one or more competitive systems and practices Access may be required to: workplace procedures and plans relevant to work area specifications and documentation relating to planned, currently being implemented, or implemented changes to work processes and procedures relevant to the assessee documentation and information in relation to production, waste, overheads and hazard control/management reports from supervisors/managers case studies and scenarios to assess responses to contingencies. |
Method of assessment | A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment. Competence in this unit may be assessed by using a combination of the following to generate evidence: demonstration in the workplace workplace projects suitable simulation case studies/scenarios (particularly for assessment of contingencies, improvement scenarios, and so on) targeted questioning reports from supervisors, peers and colleagues (third-party reports) portfolio of evidence In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess underpinning knowledge. Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability. |
Guidance information for assessment | Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. |
Range Statement
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. | |
Competitive systems and practices | Competitive systems and practices may include, but are not limited to: lean operations agile operations preventative and predictive maintenance approaches monitoring and data gathering systems, such as Systems Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Materials Resource Planning (MRP) and proprietary systems. statistical process control systems, including six sigma and three sigma Just in Time (JIT), kanban and other pull-related operations control systems supply, value, and demand chain monitoring and analysis 5S continuous improvement (kaizen) breakthrough improvement (kaizen blitz) cause/effect diagrams overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) takt time process mapping problem solving run charts standard procedures current reality tree Competitive systems and practices should be interpreted so as to take into account: the stage of implementation of competitive systems and practices the size of the enterprise the work organisation, culture, regulatory environment and the industry sector |
Six sigma | Six sigma is a process improvement methodology based on statistical process control with six sigma limits which equates to 3.4 defects per million opportunities for each product or service transaction Six sigma is also often used as a general term covering a competitive systems and practices approach. Six sigma training typically covers several units of competency in this Training Package |
Three sigma | Three sigma includes: statistical process control with three sigma limits which equates to 3 defects per thousand opportunities for each product or service transaction |
Procedures | Procedures may include: work instructions standard operating procedures formulas/recipes batch sheets temporary instructions and similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. good manufacturing practice (GMP) and responsible care) government regulations Procedures may be: written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form |
Random variation | Random variation is the term used in statistical control to refer to those variations for which no cause can be found |
Identifiable cause | Identifiable cause (also referred to as assignable cause or special cause) refers to: those variations for which a cause can be found and so the cause of the variation eliminated |
Process capability | Process capability means the capability of the process to deliver to customer defined requirements. Process capability includes process stability against standardised practices and documentation to eliminate variation against customer requirements |
Sectors
Unit sector | Competitive systems and practices |
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Not applicable.