Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:56 AM AWST

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Design simple projects

Design simple projects

Unit of competency
National Code
PSPPM401B
State Code
C8228
TGA Status
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Current Release Number
3.00
Current Release Date
01/11/2012
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
04/11/2014
Field of Education
080315 - Project Management
Original Release Date
04/11/2014
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit covers the planning and development of simple, generally low risk projects that may be small scale and managed by one person or by a person with a small team. It includes identifying project requirements, preparing a business case, preparing the project plan and establishing project infrastructure. Contract management requirements are not included as this aspect is addressed by units of competency within the Competency field of Procurement and Contract Management.In practice, project planning and development overlaps with other generalist and specialist work activities such as applying government processes, using resources, developing work plans, gathering information.This unit, and unit PSPPM405A Administer simple projects, are mutually exclusive. One or the other, but not both, may contribute to a qualification. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify project requirements
  • 1.1 A rationale for the project is outlined that identifies the purpose, outcomes and likely benefits for the user/s.
  • 1.2 Stakeholders are identified and their input is obtained at the planning stage to ensure the project proposal and its objectives are required and achievable.
  • 1.3 The project environment is assessed and environmental issues are addressed in the project proposal.
  • 1.4 Project parameters are determined and a project proposal is completed to organisational standards and within guidelines.
  • 1.5 The project proposal is structured so it is compatible with organisational objectives and other organisational projects, and is designed in accordance with the organisation's policies and procedures and in consultation with specialists to meet user/client requirements.
2. Prepare business case
  • 2.1 Research and analysis is undertaken to identify impacts and risks, constraining factors and alternate options.
  • 2.2 Options and solutions are identified, advice is obtained and recommendations are made in accordance with the strategic direction of the organisation/work unit.
  • 2.3 A report is prepared that demonstrates a business case for the project in accordance with organisational requirements.
  • 2.4 Approvals for the project proposal are obtained in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
3. Prepare project plan
  • 3.1 Project scope is determined in terms of objectives, outcomes and project deliverables.
  • 3.2 Specialists are consulted where necessary, to advise on potential risks, and options to manage risks are investigated and recorded in the project plan.
  • 3.3 Each of the parameters identified in the proposal are addressed in the project plan in consultation with relevant parties and appropriate approvals are sought and recorded.
  • 3.4 Project management tools are utilised for planning in accordance with project requirements.
  • 3.5 Project outputs are determined that are measurable and achievable and indicators to monitor the performance of the project are developed, under guidance, and agreed by relevant parties in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
4. Establish project infrastructure
  • 4.1 An implementation strategy is developed in accordance with the project plan and organisational guidelines, and presented to stakeholders to gain project support.
  • 4.2 Terms of reference and project infrastructure requirements for set-up and implementation of the project are clarified in the implementation strategy in accordance with the project plan.
  • 4.3 Resources are obtained to set up the project office, and roles and responsibilities are assigned to team members and stakeholders as agreed in the project plan.
  • 4.4 Processes identified for monitoring, evaluating and reporting performance against project objectives are established in accordance with the project plan.
The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here.
Stakeholders may include:
project sponsor/funding bodies
clients or customers (internal and external)
industry
other agencies
general public
relevant interest groups
unions
functional areas
the organisation's senior management
Ministers
project team
steering committee
end user
supplier/service provider
Project parameters include:
project scope - outcomes, objectives, project deliverables
feasibility
skills required for project team
people required for project including specialist expertise
communications including reporting requirements
risks associated with project including people, environment, resources, technology change during the life of the project, if applicable
steering committee arrangements
timeframe and milestones
cost
resources for project
acquisition/procurement
organisational structure for project
project quality control and operational flexibility
project governance structure
monitoring through staged rollout
project delivery requirements
pilot outcomes
intellectual property
integration of project within organisation
transition arrangements
change management
project evaluation
Policies and procedures may include:
government legislation (Federal, State and Local) affecting organisation's administration such as:
public sector management acts
financial management and accounting legislation and regulations
privacy legislation
government and organisational guidelines and procedures relating to:
project governance
resourcing
security
strategic plans
recruitment
risk management
procurement guidelines
designation approvals
industrial agreements
Specialists may include:
legal
technical
financial
other functional areas
other relevant agencies
logistics
Constraining factors may include:
political
industrial
legislative
technical
financial
resourcing
social and cultural considerations
cultural change management (internal)
security/privacy
environmental
logistic support
Analysis report will contain:
cost-benefit analysis
Approval may be required from:
project sponsor/funding body
business owner of the project
program manager
line manager
project governance office/personnel in the organisation
chief executive officer, manager or management representative
customer or client
Project scope is defined by:
objectives - aims/goals for doing the project
outcomes - measurable benefit achieved from the utilisation of the outputs delivered by the project
outputs/project deliverables - the services/products delivered by the project
Options to manage risks may include:
acceptance
avoidance
minimisation
transfer
strategies
flexibility
empathy
emotional intelligence
Project plan will include some or all of:
acquisition strategies
budget and financial management strategy
contract management
cost estimates
evaluation criteria
expected outcomes/measurable benefits of the project
facilities
inclusions and exclusions from project
information/communication strategy
intellectual property strategies
milestones
objectives
outputs/project deliverables and their acceptance criteria
people plan including human resource management and human resource development
performance criteria/indicators
project control mechanisms
project implementation strategy
project governance strategy
purpose
quality assurance
quality control
quality standards for project
rationale
required project resources
resource management
risk management
roles and responsibilities
schedule/timeline
task/work breakdown structure (WBS)
Project parameters include:
risk management
schedule management
financial management
communication, including reporting
resources management
logistics management
scope management
change management
quality management
people management
occupational health and safety management
Project management tools may include:
risk analysis
organisational project governance framework
communications plan
reporting framework
project management software and other tools:
Gantt and bar charts
Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) charts
Critical Path Method
cost schedule control system
logistics support analysis
life cycle cost analysis
spreadsheets
recording systems - electronic and manual
Project infrastructure may include:
staffing levels/need for recruitment action and training
equipment and technical support
resource requirements including travel, finance etc
project office accommodation
management infrastructure
The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.
Units to be assessed together
Pre-requisite units that must be achieved prior to this unit:Nil
Co-requisite units that must be assessed with this unit:Nil
Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to:
PSPETHC401A Uphold and support the values and principles of public service
PSPGOV402B Deliver and monitor service to clients
PSPGOV403B Use resources to achieve work unit goals
PSPGOV405B Provide input to change processes
PSPGOV408A Value diversity
PSPGOV411A Deal with conflict
PSPGOV412A Use advanced workplace communication strategies
PSPGOV416A Monitor performance and provide feedback
PSPGOV422A Apply government processes
PSPLEGN401A Encourage compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPOHS401B Implement workplace safety procedures and programs
PSPPROC409A Receive and select offers
PSPPROC410A Administer contracts
PSPPM402B Manage simple projects
PSPPM403B Close simple projects
Excluded units that may not contribute to the same qualification as this unit:
PSPPM405A Administer simple projects
Overview of evidence requirements
In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:
the knowledge requirements of this unit
the skill requirements of this unit
application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit (see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework)
design of simple projects in a range of (2 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Resources required to carry out assessment
These resources include:
legislation, guidelines, procedures and protocols relating to project management
workplace project documentation
scenarios and case studies
documented information and/or examples of the assessee's personal work
project management tools
Where and how to assess evidence
Valid assessment of this unit requires:
a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when planning projects, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine
design of simple projects in a range of (2 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:
people with disabilities
people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
women
young people
older people
people in rural and remote locations
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:
case studies
demonstration
portfolios
projects
questioning
scenarios
authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses
For consistency of assessment
Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C3463 PSPPM401A Develop a project Unit of competency