Form: Diploma of Management BSB51107 - Skills Recognition Questionnaire

Submission Information

Form: Diploma of Management BSB51107 - Skills Recognition Questionnaire

Submitted by sysadmin

Monday, October 25, 2010 - 10:41

61.88.87.246

What is Skills Recognition?

Skills Recognition – or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) - is a process of assessment which acknowledges a person’s skills and experience, regardless of how, when or where the skills or experience were gained. Such skills and experiences may have been gained through:

• formal or informal training and education;
• work experience;
• general life experience; or
• any combination of the above.

RPL can result in the awarding of a full qualification or a Statement of Attainment for partial completion of a qualification.

In reviewing your evidence, the Assessor must ensure that it is:

• Authentic - the information and evidence provided is genuine and trustworthy;
• Valid - the information and evidence is well-founded, relevant to the qualification or competency being applied for and adds weight to the RPL application;
• Reliable - the evidence can withstand scrutiny, has integrity and reasonably indicates that the applicant is able to perform a task to a specified standard with regularity and consistency;
• Sufficient - an adequate amount of evidence must be provided. An ‘adequate’ amount is to an extent a matter of judgment and will depend on the type of evidence provided; if an application for RPL is compelling, then the evidence provided is adequate.

There are two ways in which such evidence of competence can be provided:

• Individual competency conversation
• Portfolio

Benefits for individuals

• RPL gives you credit for your life skills – skills and knowledge you have learnt at home or school or through your involvement in groups, clubs, hobbies, work and the like.
• RPL allows you to complete formal education in a shorter period of time and usually at less cost;
• RPL means that you do not have to repeat or waste time learning what you have already learned and regularly put into practice;
• RPL increases your career and education options through recognising skills and knowledge that you have already gained;
• RPL recognises your contribution as a volunteer and may help lead towards paid employment.

Benefits for volunteer-involving organisations

A volunteer-involving organisation which encourages and supports volunteers and staff to attain relevant qualifications through RPL, directly contributes to its viability, is in line with best practice, and has an edge over funding competitors.

Involvement can also:

• Enhance the performance of a volunteering organisation by recognising, valuing and better drawing on skills and knowledge of its volunteers.
• Foster a strong and vibrant organisational culture by improving morale.
• Encourage the standardisation of training and development of volunteers.
• Increase the attractiveness of the organisation to prospective volunteers.

Considering your own RPL

It is important that you reflect on your own skills and experience and determine if you have sufficient evidence which will clearly demonstrate your competence in the relevant area.

To assist you to do this, there are a number of steps you need to work through.

• Step 1: Complete the Self Assessment Questionnaire

If, after working through the Questionnaire, you are confident to proceed with this application for RPL, you will then need to:

• Step 2: Complete the Candidate Details and Checklist.
• Step 3: Return the completed documents to the School of Volunteer Management by return email

STEP 1 - Candidate Self Assessment

What is self-assessment?

Self-assessment is the first stage of helping you decide whether you have the relevant skills and experiences to demonstrate competency for the nominated qualification.

When considering the self-assessment, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Have I had the work experience required for this qualification?
• Will I be able to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate my competency?
• How difficult will it be for me to gather the relevant evidence?

Evidence does not have to take any particular form. It can be in the form of answering questions about your work experiences, completing a role play or case study, or giving a short presentation as long as you can show the assessor that you have the skills and experience relevant to the qualification.

The Self-Assessment Process

The Self Assessment Questionnaire contains a number of questions based around the requirements of the qualification. The questions are designed to get you to think about different experiences you have had in your life and work and whether or not these experiences are appropriate to continue with the RPL application.
Please read each question carefully and tick the rating that best describes your situation - "Regularly", "Sometimes" or "Never". At the end of each set of questions, add up the number of ticks in each column and write the number in the Totals column. This will help you to decide whether to continue with the application.

Remember – you also need to consider whether you can provide relevant evidence to the assessor.

Self Assessment Information for Diploma of Management BSB51107

The Diploma of Management consists of the following eight units of competency:

• BSBMGT502B - Manage people performance
• BSBFIM501A - Manage budgets and financial plans
• BSBOHS509A - Ensure a safe workplace
• BSBINM501A - Manage an information or knowledge management system
• BSBWOR502A - Ensure team effectiveness
• BSBPMG510A - Manage projects
• BSBRSK501A - Manage risk
• BSBMGT516A - Facilitate continuous improvement

* Note: the units within the Diploma can be altered owing to the Qualification Rules and your experience. This can be discussed with the School’s assessor.

To be assessed as Competent and awarded the Diploma of Management using the RPL approach, you must demonstrate your competency in all these areas through the appropriate RPL approach as outlined above

BSBMGT502B - Manage people performance

This unit covers the ability of managers to manage the performance of the staff who report to them directly. Development of key result areas and key performance indicators and standards, coupled with regular and timely coaching and feedback, provide the basis for performance management. It is a unit that all managers/prospective managers who have responsibility for other employees should strongly consider undertaking.

Evidence of the following is essential:

Direct evidence of the performance management processes being undertaken is essential in the assessment of this unit, including the linking of performance indictors to the allocation of work and assessment of performance against performance standards

Workplace coaching (informal feedback) coupled with formal performance feedback, resulting in performance improvement

Read each question and tick the rating that best describes your situation: *

Regularly / Sometimes / Never
1. Do you consult with relevant groups and individuals on work to be allocated and resources to be deployed and ensure that work is allocated in accordance with operational plans
2. Do you ensure Performance standards, Code of Conduct and work outputs and processes are confirmed prior to commencement
3. Do you develop Performance indicators for key result areas and are agreed prior to commencement of work
4. Do you ensure Risk analyses are undertaken in accordance with the organisational risk management plan and legal requirements
5. Do you ensure Performance management processes are implemented in accordance with planning and timelines
6. Do you identify poor performance promptly and brought to the attention of the appropriate person
7. Do you provide On-the-job coaching when necessary, both to improve performance and confirm excellence in performance
8. Do you provide formal structured feedback sessions as necessary and in accordance with organisational policy
9. Do you ensure Selection, induction and training systems are evaluated regularly and improved

List the evidence you might use to support this unit:

BSBFIM501A - Manage budgets and financial plans

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to undertake financial management within a work team in an organisation. This includes planning and implementing financial management approaches, supporting team members whose role involves aspects of financial operations, monitoring and controlling finances, and reviewing and evaluating effectiveness of financial management processes in line with the financial objectives of the work team and the organisation.

Evidence of the following is essential:

Development of a workforce plan which includes relevant research and specific strategies to ensure access to a skilled workforce;

Knowledge of labour demand and supply relevant to the specific industry or skill requirements for the organisation.

Read each question and tick the rating that best describes your situation: *

Regularly / Sometimes / Never
1. Do you access budget/financial plans for the work team and clarify budget/financial plans with relevant personnel within the organisation to ensure that documented outcomes are achievable, accurate and comprehensible
2. Do you provide support to ensure that team members can competently perform required roles associated with the management of finances
3. Do you implement processes to monitor actual expenditure and to control costs across the work team
4. Do you monitor expenditure and costs on an agreed cyclical basis to identify cost variations and expenditure overruns
5. Do you collect and collate for analysis, data and information on the effectiveness of financial management processes within the work team
6. Do you understand the principles and techniques involved in: budgeting, cash flows, electronic spreadsheets, GST, ledgers and financial statements, profit and loss statements.
7. Do you report on budget and expenditure in accordance with organisational protocols

List the evidence you might use to support this unit:

BSBOHS509A - Ensure a safe workplace

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to establish, maintain and evaluate the organisation's occupational health and safety (OHS) policies, procedures and programs in the relevant work area in accordance with OHS legal requirements.

Evidence of the following is essential:

Detailed knowledge and application of all relevant OHS legislative frameworks

Establishment and maintenance of arrangements for managing OHS within the business systems and practices of the organisation

Identification of intervention points for expert OHS advice

Principles and practice of effective OHS management in a small, medium or large business.

Read each question and tick the rating that best describes your situation: *

Regularly / Sometimes / Never
1. Can you define OHS responsibilities for all workplace personnel in accordance with OHS policies, procedures and programs
2. Do you establish and maintain participative arrangements with employees and their representatives in accordance with relevant OHS legislation
3. Can you appropriately resolve issues raised through participative arrangements and consultation
4. Do you promptly provide information about the outcomes of participation and consultation in a manner accessible to employees
5. Do you develop and maintain procedures for selection and implementation of risk control measures in accordance with the hierarchy of control
6. Do you develop and provide an OHS induction and training program for all employees as part of the organisation's training program
7. Do you develop and implement improvements to the OHS system to achieve organisational OHS objectives
8. Do you ensure compliance with the OHS legislative framework so that legal OHS standards are maintained as a minimum

List the evidence you might use to support this unit:

BSBINM501A - Manage an information or knowledge management system

This unit requires you to demonstrate that you can organise learning to use an information or knowledge management system and to manage the use of the system.

Evidence of the following is essential:

Analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of information or knowledge management system/s and evaluation of suitability for a particular work or organisational context;

Knowledge of relevant legislation, codes of practice and national standards.

Read each question and tick the rating that best describes your situation: *

Regularly / Sometimes / Never
1. Do you identify the learning needs of relevant personnel and stakeholders for input into, and use of, an information or knowledge management system?
2. Do you identify and secure the appropriate resources required for learning activities to use an information or knowledge management system?
3. Do you organise and facilitate learning activities?
4. Do you monitor and document effectiveness of learning activities?
5. Do you ensure implementation of policies and procedures for the information or knowledge management system are monitored for compliance, effectiveness and efficiency?
6. Do you collect information on the achievement of performance measures?
7. Do you analyse the effectiveness of the system and report on the strengths and limitations of the system?
8. Do you review business and operational plans and determine how effectively the system is contributing to intended outcomes?
9. Do you make recommendations for improvement to the system, policy or work practices?

List the evidence you might use to support this unit:

BSBWOR502A - Ensure team effectiveness

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to facilitate all aspects of teamwork within the organisation. It involves taking a leadership role in the development of team plans, leading and facilitating teamwork and actively engaging with the management of the organisation.

Evidence of the following is essential:

Range of techniques that can be used to build work teams, strengthen communications in the team and resolve conflict

Methods for engaging with stakeholders and obtaining advice from outside the work team, to ensure team is focussed and on track

Knowledge of group behaviour.

Read each question and tick the rating that best describes your situation: *

Regularly / Sometimes / Never
1. Do you consult team members to establish a common understanding of team purpose, roles, responsibilities and accountabilities in accordance with organisational goals, plans and objectives
2. Do you develop performance plans to establish expected outcomes, outputs, key performance indicators and goals for work team
3. Do you develop strategies to ensure team members have input into planning, decision making and operational aspects of work team
4. Do you develop policies and procedures to ensure team members take responsibility for own work and assist others to undertake required roles and responsibilities
5. Do you provide feedback to team members to encourage, value and reward individual and team efforts and contributions
6. Do you encourage team members and individuals to participate in and to take responsibility for team activities, including communication processes
7. Do you ensure own contribution to work team serves as a role model for others and enhances the organisation's image for all stakeholders
8. Do you communicate unresolved issues, concerns and problems raised by team members and follow-up with line manager/management and other relevant stakeholders

List the evidence you might use to support this unit:

BSBPMG510A - Manage projects

This unit requires you to demonstrate that you can manage a straightforward project or a section of a larger project. This unit addresses the management of projects including the development of a project plan, administering and monitoring the project, finalising the project and reviewing the project to identify lessons learnt for application to future projects

Evidence of the following is essential:

Development of a project plan;

Details of monitoring arrangement/s and evaluation of the efficacy of the project plan to address time lines and budgets of project.

Read each question and tick the rating that best describes your situation: *

Regularly / Sometimes / Never
1. Do you define projects including scope, stakeholders, limitations and authority?
2. Do you develop project plans including timelines, work breakdown structure, role and responsibilities and other details of how the project will be managed in relation to the project parameters?
3. Do you identify and access appropriate project management tools?
4. Do you formulate risk management plan for project, including occupational health and safety (OHS)?
5. Do you develop and approve project budgets?
6. Do you provide support for project team members, especially with regard to specific needs, to ensure that they are clear about their responsibilities and the project requirements?
7. Do you establish and maintain required record keeping systems throughout the project?
8. Do you finalise the project by completing the project documentation and obtaining any necessary sign offs?
9. Do you involve team members in the review of project outcomes and processes against the project scope and plan?
10. Do you document lessons learnt from the project and report within the organisation?

List the evidence you might use to support this unit:

BSBRSK501A - Manage risk

This unit requires you to demonstrate that you can manage risks in a range of contexts across the organisation or for a specific business unit or area.

Evidence of the following is essential:

Risk management plan which includes a detailed stakeholder analysis, explanation of the risk context, critical success factors, identified and analysed risks, and treatments for prioritised risks;

Details of monitoring arrangements for risk management plan and an evaluation of the efficacy of the risk management plan in treating risks.

Read each question and tick the rating that best describes your situation: *

Regularly / Sometimes / Never
1. Do you establish the risk context by reviewing organisational processes, procedures and requirements for undertaking risk management?
2. Do you determine scope for risk management process?
3. Do you review the strengths and weaknesses of existing arrangements?
4. Do you document critical success factors, goals or objectives for area included in scope?
5. Do you communicate with relevant parties about the risk management process and invite participation in the identification of risks?
6. Do you use tools and techniques to generate a list of risks that apply to the scope, in consultation with relevant parties?
7. Do you analyse risks in relation to their likelihood and impact?
8. Do you determine and select the most appropriate options for treating risks?
9. Do you develop, implement and monitor action plans for implementing risk treatment?
10. Do you communicate risk management processes to relevant parties?

List the evidence you might use to support this unit: