Unit of Competency

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to lead and manage continuous improvement systems and processes. Particular emphasis is on the development of systems and the analysis of information to monitor and adjust performance strategies, and to manage opportunities for further improvements.

It applies to individuals who take an active role in managing a continuous improvement process in order to achieve an organisation’s objectives.

At this level, work will normally be carried out using complex and diverse methods and procedures which require the exercise of considerable discretion and judgement, using a range of problem-solving and decision-making strategies.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Unit Sector

Management and leadership Management

Performance Criteria

Element Elements describe the essential outcomes.	Performance Criteria Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
1.       Lead continuous improvement systems and processes	1.1   Develop strategies to ensure that team members are actively encouraged and supported to participate in decision-making processes, assume responsibility and exercise initiative as appropriate 1.2   Establish systems to ensure that the organisation’s continuous improvement processes are communicated to stakeholders 1.3   Ensure that change and improvement processes meet sustainability requirements 1.4   Develop effective mentoring and coaching processes to ensure that individuals and teams are able to implement and support the organisation’s continuous improvement processes 1.5   Ensure that insights and experiences from business activities are captured and accessible through knowledge management systems
2.       Monitor and adjust performance strategies	2.1   Develop strategies to ensure that systems and processes are used to monitor operational progress and to identify ways in which planning and operations could be improved 2.2   Adjust and communicate strategies to stakeholders according to organisational procedures
3.       Manage opportunities for further improvement	3.1   Establish processes to ensure that team members are informed of outcomes of continuous improvement efforts 3.2   Ensure processes include recording of work team performance to assist in identifying further opportunities for improvement 3.3   Consider areas identified for further improvement when undertaking future planning

Foundation Skills

This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.

Skill	Performance Criteria	Description
Reading	1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.3	Identifies and extracts relevant information from a range of complex texts Locates, interprets and analyses workplace documentation to gather information relating to continuous improvement
Writing	1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1-3.3	Develops complex texts related to continuous improvement processes according to organisational requirements Ensures the vocabulary, grammatical structures and conventions are appropriate for the context and target audience
Oral Communication	1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 2.2	Presents information to a range of audiences using appropriate structure and language Listens and comprehends information from a variety of spoken exchanges with clients, co-workers and other stakeholders Confirms understanding through questioning and active listening
Navigate the world of work	1.1-1.3, 2.1, 2.2	Develops strategies to enable compliance with legislative requirements and achievement of the organisation’s goals Monitors adherence to organisational policies, procedures and protocols and considers own role in terms of its contribution to broader goals of the work environment
Interact with others	1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 2.2	Identifies and uses appropriate conventions and protocols when communicating with colleagues and external stakeholders Collaborates with others to achieve joint outcomes, playing an active role in facilitating effective group interaction andinfluencing direction
Get the work done	1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3	Takes responsibility for developing, implementing and monitoring systems and processes to achieve organisational outcomes Uses analytical and lateral thinking to review current practices and develop ideas for improvement Reflects on the ways in which digital systems and tools are used, or could be used, to achieve work goals

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to establish systems and processes for continuous improvement that:

• Facilitate effective contributions to and communications about continuous improvement processes and outcomes
• Address sustainability requirements
• Incorporate mentoring, coaching and other support to enable people to participate effectively in continuous improvement processes
• Capture insights, experiences and ideas for improvements and incorporate them into the organisation’s knowledge management systems and future planning.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.

Knowledge Evidence

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

• Explain how systems and procedures can support effective continuous improvement
• Explain how continuous improvement systems and processes relate to other business systems and requirements including, knowledge management, quality, performance management and sustainability.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the management and leadership field of work and include access to:

• Relevant workplace documentation and resources
• Case studies and, where possible, real situations
• Interaction with others.

Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.

Links

Companion volumes available from the IBSA website: http://www.ibsa.org.au/companion_volumes

Housekeeping Items

Your trainer will inform you of the following:

• Where the toilets and fire exits are located, what the emergency procedures are and where the breakout and refreshment areas are.
• Any rules, for example asking that all mobile phones are set to silent and of any security issues they need to be aware of.
• What times the breaks will be held and what the smoking policy is.
• That this is an interactive course and you should ask questions.
• That to get the most out of this workshop, we must all work together, listen to each other, explore new ideas, and make mistakes. After all, that’s how we learn.
• Ground rules for participation:
  • Smile
  • Support and encourage other participants
  • When someone is contributing everyone else is quiet
  • Be patient with others who may not be grasping the ideas
  • Be on time
  • Focus discussion on the topic
  • Speak to the trainer if you have any concerns

Objectives

• Discoverhow to lead continuous improvement systems and processes
• Know how to monitor and adjust performance strategies
• Learnhow to manage opportunities for further improvement
• Gainskills and knowledge required for this unit

1. Lead continuous improvement systems and processes

1.1      Develop strategies to ensure that team members are actively encouraged and supported to participate in decision-making processes, assume responsibility and exercise initiative as appropriate

1.2        Establish systems to ensure that the organisation’s continuous improvement processes are communicated to stakeholders

1.3        Ensure that change and improvement processes meet sustainability requirements

1.4        Develop effective mentoring and coaching processes to ensure that individuals and teams          are able to implement and support the organisation`s continuous improvement processes

1.5        Ensure that insights and experiences from business activities are captured and accessible            through knowledge management systems