Physical Asset Practitioner: OFO Code 333911

For Comment: Physical Asset Practitioner: OFO Code 333911 External Assessment Specifications

External Assessment Specifications

(Note: Physical Asset Management System refers to an organization’s physical asset management policy, physical asset management strategy, physical asset management objectives, physical asset management plan(s) and the activities, processes and organizational structures necessary for their development, implementation and continual improvement.

Physical Asset System refers to sets of physical assets that interact and/or are interrelated so as to deliver a required business function or service. In a physical asset system individual physical assets and various groupings of physical assets (physical asset portfolio) can typically be distinguished.)

Occupational Purpose:

Physical asset practitioners apply the physical asset management framework and policies to ensure the performance and output potential of physical asset through systematic maintenance activities and practices throughout the life cycle of the physical asset within a risk framework to achieve strategic objectives and activate the execution of the most relevant maintenance strategies.

Occupational Tasks:

Maintain the physical asset management system in terms of data integrity

/ (NQF 5)

Coordinate the processes of the various stages in the life cycle of physical assets

/ (NQF 6)

Interpret, implement and report in conjunction with a work team on physical asset performance improvements and recommendations

/ (NQF 6)

Participate and inform new physical asset creation project teams on relevant aspects of physical asset management knowledge (skills, techniques, etc.) related to area of operation

/ (NQF 6)

Contribute to the statutory reporting on operational and financial performance of physical asset

/ (NQF 5)
Integrated focus areas: / Weight / Assessment Criteria

The ability to apply general principles of planning, coordination, activation and controlling of physical asset management operations, leading and monitoring of the people aspect of the physical asset management system

/ 10% /

General management principles and practices are discussed as it applies to a small work team in an physical asset management situation
General management principles and practices are applied to the performance and operations of a work team in physical asset management throughout the life cycle of physical assets and physical asset groupings
Corrective and improvement actions are identified and actions are formulated to address deviations and discrepancies in team and physical asset performance
Possible policy and strategy improvements and amendments are identified to improve the system and such proposals are communicated by following the correct reporting structures
The ability to understand the importance of clear communication within a work team
An understanding of why adherence to documentation prerequisites are compulsory is demonstrated
Performance indicators that should be reported on or applied to show compliance with operations are identified and assessed
Basic principles of mentoring and coaching are applied to enhance work team performance
The relevance of basic principles of mentoring and coaching in an physical asset management context is evaluated
Work tasks are communicated to a team in such a manner that it supports motivation
Task specific risks needs which should be fully understood by artisans are identified and described
A work plan for the team is compiled based on performance indicators of the physical assets
How shift patterns should be taken into account when allocating work to artisans is explained

The ability to adhere and complywith legislative, statutory, municipal ordinances, policies and procedures, time frames and quality standards

/ 20% /

Critical importance of legislative and statutory requirements in the execution of physical asset management tasks are explained
Legislation applicable to the workplace, discipline specific and reporting framework are listed and the implication thereof on the execution of physical asset management tasks are summarized
Evidence of adherence to legislative requirements are presented in a systematic manner and according to reporting requirements
Evidence of safe work practices are presented in compliance to legislative and statutory requirements
Various discipline specific ordinances are listed and the implication thereof on a specific physical asset creation project is explained
The various aspects of the physical asset management system are interpreted and explained
Physical asset management procedure and process manuals are applied and maintained
Business design diagrams and other documentation are interpreted and discussed
The importance and need to adhere to policies and procedures are justified
The purpose and effect of policies are quantified in terms of the workplace requirements and physical asset performance, maintenance and condition
The importance of adherence to policies is related to physical asset performance and data integrity in the workplace
Workplace structures that needs to be in place to support adherence to policies are identified and discussed with the view to enhance compliance
Risk critical norms and standards are listed and discussed in terms of efficacy

The ability to assess operational condition and required maintenance of a physical asset

/ 20% /

Sound operational and maintenance practices are applied in order to enhance physical asset performance
Basic engineering workshop practices are explained and assessed for efficiency and safety
The role and placement of physical assets in the operations of the entity are explained and discussed
The basic properties and behavior of materials in the physical asset grouping is explained according to the implications thereof on adhering to the operational design specifications and consequent maintenance practices.
Various machinery and equipment are listed and categorized for various engineering disciplines
Various methods of construction are listed according to physical asset categories
Design specifications and sound operational and economical utilization for various physical assets can be explained
Technical knowledge library is accessed to verify appropriate operational and maintenance practices
Applicable diagrams, drawings, plans and technical manuals for various engineering disciplines are listed and interpreted.
The functioning of applicable equipment from the drawings and specifications is demonstrated by interpreting the drawings and diagrams
The functioning of the applicable documentation management system is explained in terms of how it relates to the engineering disciplines
The concept of quality in physical asset projects is described
Operational quality standards are related to physical asset life cycle performance
The requirements for the inclusion of quality specifications in the design and specifications requirements is explained and demonstrated
Quality in the work output is measured by applying applicable tools and methods

The ability to measure physical asset performance and deviations, identify root causes in order to optimize physical asset performance and take disposal decisions

/ 20% /

distinct physical asset utilization improvement actions areidentified, monitored and evaluated to ensure sustainability
The importance of a sound physical assetutilisation plan including the required maintenance is justified with reference to physical asset performance, deviations and improvements
The importance of adherence and compliance to scheduled physical asset utilization over the physical asset life cycle is justified with reference to physical asset and financial performance
Operational management improvements suggested and initiated by utilizing leading and lagging indicators
How a management action plan needs to be compiled is explained and specific actions and target dates are proposed to report variances.
The concept of leading and lagging indicators is explained
The impact of variances can lead to less positive financial performance and life expectancy of the physical asset is explained
Data structures to be analysed in order to extract information on physical asset performance
Specific performance indicators are discussed and the application thereof is demonstrated and linked to work performance, financial performance, overall equipment performance, maintenance strategy relevance and organizational performance
Soft ware applications are utilised to do basic data analysis
Available tools are utilised to perform basic calculations on typical physical asset data in order to calculate key performance indicators
A set of calculations is perform on the supplied algorithms to establish a specific performance trend
Interpret the outcome and compare with the required specified physical asset performance
Explain the adjusted physical asset utilization to incorporate above outcomes

Physical asset end-of-life processes are forecasted and included in physical asset disposal strategy
Conduct an end of useful life investigation and decision-making and disposal options analysis
Identify the most suitable disposal arrangements and close-out options

Consider waste and contamination risks of the physical asset and recommend greenest option
Apply waste management policies including contamination risks

The ability to execute new physical asset creation / refurbishment processes and participate in multi-disciplinary team processes

/ 15% /

Project execution where multiple disciplines are needed to complete the task are explained
The ability to show insight into any contingencies
The basic principles of risk management is applied to deal with contingencies
Basic project management methodologies and concepts are described and applied in a new physical asset creation project
Application of skills in differentiating between the creation of new projects and refurbishment
Basic planning techniques are listed and described according to the project plan
The basic principles on which these techniques are based are described as pertaining to a specific multi disciplinary team
The importance of quality assessments is described and techniques are selected in support of the outcomes of the project.
The necessity for periodic site visits during the course of the project is explained in relation to quality, time frames and budgetary performance.
Typical observations in assessing progress in accordance to the project plan are identified and discussed
Typical aspects to report on to management are identified and justified and appropriate reporting techniques are selected and justified
Contract management techniques are explained
Third party service providers are aligned with the system and the management and control mechanisms pertaining to these in the execution of the tasks are discussed and assessed for effectiveness
Various aspect of the logistic chain are identified, and discussed in terms of how they link to and effect each other
Critical aspects of commercial contract management procedures are identified and discussed in terms of the implication thereof on the completion of the contract and project.
Proper project closure procedures are discussed in terms of the implication thereof on the success of the project
The manner in which practical performance is included in contractual performance is explained.

The ability to report on operational and financial data to enhance resource allocation

/ 15% /

Data integrity of physical assets is maintained and relevant physical asset information is supplied timely for management decision making processes
Data and information are collected and selected in compliance with a time schedule, relevance and accuracy
Data and information are verified to maintain data integrity
An appreciation of the benefits of well indexed knowledge and systems and processes is demonstrated
The requirements in terms of timely and relevant data and knowledge are interpreted and applied
Possible reporting frameworks are listed and described as it applies to the workplace and discipline specific requirements
Reporting principles, methods and formats related to statutory requirements are explained
The applicable reporting framework is discussed in terms of its requirements for data related to statutory compliance
Internal reporting structures are discussed and evaluated for supporting the processing and verification of data in order to ensure integrity.
The importance of integrity of information is discussed in terms of the effect on management decision making
A time frame for reporting activities is indicated and supports statutory compliance
Reporting soft ware is utilised to systematize the data according to the reporting framework.
A set of financial and operational data is analysed and interpreted and related to physical asset performance
The results is presented in operational and financial reports according to reporting procedures or structures and the applicable reporting framework
The principles of basic budgeting procedures are explained
Information which is required for the budgeting process is identified
Material and inventory information required for budgeting purposes is identified
Capital and current (maintenance) expenditure amounts is calculated over the budget horizon

Points or Specific Times when External Assessment must take Place

For this qualification there will be a single external assessment at the end of the qualification.

External Assessment Model:

The external assessment will consist of awritten assessment. The written assessment will be conducted at decentralized, approved centers where invigilators will receive the examination papers and oversee the examination. The papers will be marked off site. (This could also be conducted electronically). An external examiner will moderate the assessment.

Eligibility Requirements:

Automatically populated by the IT system

Criteria for Registration of Assessors:

Qualifications:

The assessor must have a B. Degree (three year) in accounting, engineering, quantity surveying, financial management, economics or physical asset management

Experience:

The assessor must have at least 3 years experience

Context of the experience:

In aphysical asset management position in an organization, managing aphysical asset portfolio or involved in training of facilities maintenance and physical asset management.

Version Date: March 13, 2012