Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 1:31 AM AWST

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Design sustainable product or process

Design sustainable product or process

Unit of competency
National Code
MSS015004A
State Code
D7733
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
18/07/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
13/06/2014
Field of Education
030101 - Manufacturing Engineering
Original Release Date
13/06/2014
Nominal Hours
100
Description
This unit of competency covers the ability to redesign an existing, or design a new, product or process to achieve optimal sustainability outcomesThis unit does not cover analysing product life cycle which is covered by MSS015003A Analyse product life cycle for sustainability.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Define parameters of new/improved product
  • 1.1 Consult with relevant stakeholders to determine required function, performance and aesthetics of new product
  • 1.2 Identify market, expected time to market and cost constraints of product and production process
  • 1.3 Identify requirements with possible high sustainability impacts
  • 1.4 Negotiate requirements to achieve desired sustainability impacts
  • 1.5 Develop agreed definition of product requirements
2 Develop alternative product and process designs
  • 2.1 Identify alternative resource requirements
  • 2.2 Identify alternative processes
  • 2.3 Determine the possible sustainability impacts of different combinations of resources and processes
  • 2.4 Test alternative product and process designs against original product requirement definitions
  • 2.5 Identify product requirements which may be causing significant sustainability impacts
  • 2.6 Renegotiate, where possible, product requirements to lessen sustainability impacts
  • 2.7 Short-list preferred resources and processes
3 Evaluate life cycle impacts
  • 3.1 Estimate life cycle sustainability impacts for each short-listed alternative
  • 3.2 Identify process steps with greatest sustainability impact
  • 3.3 Evaluate process steps for alternatives/modifications with lower impact
  • 3.4 Select alternative which best meets requirements and has the lowest sustainability impact
4 Confirm design
  • 4.1 Develop selected design as required
  • 4.2 Confirm life cycle sustainability impacts
  • 4.3 Review design against product requirements
  • 4.4 Obtain required authorisations
  • 4.5 Document design in the required form
5 Prepare for implementation
  • 5.1 Consult with key stakeholders
  • 5.2 Identify key measures for monitoring implementation of design
  • 5.3 Identify data sources required by key measures
  • 5.4 Organise for data to be captured and manipulated, as required
Parameters of new product
Parameters of new product may include:
function
form
market
desired sustainability performance
cost
Sustainability impact
The sustainability impact of a product and process may include:
resource footprint (e.g. carbon and water) of product and process
current and future availability of raw materials
current and future availability of energy
waste generation and disposal
efficiency of process
the extent to which the production process and product affects the environment, including effects on:
climate
quality of local air and water
ecology
noise
relationship with the local and broader community, (e.g. effect of operations on aesthetic appearance, preservation of heritage, and proximity to schools and religious facilities)
extent of regulatory oversight and cost of compliance
Resource
Resource includes:
both materials and energy
Review design
Review design includes:
ensuring product and process meets requirements
analysis to identify further improvements
Overview of assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to design products and associated processes to achieve optimal sustainability outcomes over the product life cycle.
The assessment emphasis is on the ability to design for sustainability not on the engineering or other technical aspects of the design process.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:
including sustainability in definition of product requirements
design optimises the sustainability outcomes over product life cycle or process
design includes means of monitoring sustainability outcomes over product life cycle or process.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.
Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.
This unit of competency may be assessed with other relevant units addressing sustainability at the enterprise level or other units requiring the exercise of the skills and knowledge covered by this unit.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Method of assessment
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work-like environment.
Guidance information for assessment
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
BAL19 MSS015004 Design sustainable product or process Unit of competency