Unit 1: Leadership
Indicative defining activities:
1.1.1 Purpose and values are established
1.1.2 Creativity and innovation employed
1.1.3 Integrity, sincerity of purpose and values are communicated
1.1.4 Strengths of others are capitalised on
1.1.5 Teams are successfully developed and lead
1.1.6 Natural personal leadership style/type is recognised
1.1.7 Leadership style is adjusted to suit context
1.1.8 Written and oral skills are effectively used
1.1.9 Negotiation and mediation skills are employed
Indicative defining activities:
1.2.1 Vision for organisation identified and communicated
1.2.2 Strategy and actions are planned and implemented using recognised principles
1.2.3 Creativity/innovation processes are used (eg Simplex Model)
1.2.4 A process approach is used in realising and monitoring progress of organisational objectives
1.2.5 Appropriate organisational structures are adopted for achieving desired outcomes
1.2.6 Desired organisational values are identified and deployed
1.2.7 Leadership and management concepts , tools and techniques are appropriately selected and employed to enhance leadership, eg:
- Strategic plans
- Business plans
- Risk management plans
- Performance management
- Performance appraisals
- Management reviews
- Reporting regimes
- Corrective and preventive action
- Reward systems
- Training/educational needs assessments and delivery programs
Indicative defining activities:
1.3.1 Needs and expectations of stakeholders relating to the business are identified and addressed, including in regard to:
- Owners
- Customers
- Employees
- Community
1.3.2 External factors are appreciated and appropriately addressed, including in regard to:
- Community
- Legislative/regulatory
- Political
- Safety
- Environmental
Indicative defining activities:
1.4.1 Engineering profession promoted
1.4.2 Professional leadership demonstrated
1.4.3 Development of the profession advocated on behalf of Engineers Australia
Indicative defining activities:
1.5.1 Creativity is encouraged
1.5.2 Management styles that foster creativity are selected and employed
1.5.3 Different methods for being creative are employed
1.5.4 Creativity sessions are contributed to
1.5.5 Innovation teams are facilitated
1.5.6 The inter-relationship between organisational structures and creativity is managed
1.5.7 Staff are selected and deployed so as to enable/encourage creativity and innovation
Indicative defining activities:
1.6.1 Understanding of change is encouraged
1.6.2 Changes/Improvements are planned and implemented
Unit 2: Strategic Direction and Entrepreneurship
Indicative defining activities:
2.1.1 New business opportunities and ideas are identified
2.1.2 New business initiatives are championed
2.1.3 Strategic direction and objectives are identified and communicated eg in regard to customers and suppliers
2.1.4 Supporters for enterprises are identified and recruited, eg joint venture participants
2.1.5 Contacts for the success of the business venture are identified and realised
Indicative defining activities:
2.2.1 Measures to identify new technology are employed
2.2.2 Adoption of new technology is evaluated
2.2.3 New technology is introduced
Indicative defining activities:
2.3.1 Possible ventures are compared, including in financial terms
2.3.2 Present value techniques are used
2.3.3 Financial judgements are made
Indicative defining activities:
2.4.1 Business risks are identified and appreciated
Indicative defining activities:
2.5.1 Business risks are identified and appreciated
2.5.2 Finance sources for new ventures are identified
2.5.3 Financing arrangements are evaluated
2.5.4 Finance is secured
Indicative defining activities:
2.6.1 A future outlook in staff encouraged
2.6.2 Corporate core competencies are identified and nurtured (corporate core competencies are a limited number of corporate capabilities that customers value, are mutually reinforcing and difficult to imitate)
Indicative defining activities:
2.7.1 New business structures are identified
2.7.2 New business staffing is identified
2.7.3 New business organisational processes are identified
Unit 3: Planning
Indicative defining activities:
3.1.1 Vision and objectives are appreciated
3.1.2 Current context and external environment are assessed and documented (business, economic and/or political)
3.1.3 SWOT analyses are undertaken
3.1.4 Critical success factors are identified and addressed
3.1.5 Customers needs and expectations are identified and addressed
3.1.6 Strategic and business plans are documented, tested and acceptance of them gained
3.1.7 Implementation of plans is set up and monitored in a structured way
3.1.8 Performance is measured, monitored and reported against agreed criteria
3.1.9 Plans are reviewed and updated
Indicative defining activities:
3.2.1 Risk management plans developed, implemented and improved
Indicative defining activities:
3.3.1 Customers’ current and future needs are identified
3.3.2 Market segments are identified and value assessed
3.3.3 Marketing plans are developed, including plans/strategies for:
- Identifying and assessing competition,
- Retaining existing customers and engaging additional customers,
- Branding promotion,
- Product or service range,
- Distributing products or services
Indicative defining activities:
3.4.1 Operational (eg annual, product, service and project) plans* are established in alignment with strategic and business planning
3.4.2 Performance indicators to monitor the progressive and final implementation of plans are established
3.4.3 Performance indicators are assessed for effectiveness
3.4.4 Plans are set up and co-ordinated
3.4.5 Implementation of plans is monitored in a structured way
3.4.6 Performance is measured, monitored and reported against agreed criteria
3.4.7 Plans are updated when needed
* Operational Plans typically include supporting plans for managing matters such as scope, program, cost, risk and technical and other compliance.
Indicative defining activities:
3.5.1 Resource plans for human resources, supporting infrastructure (eg workspace, process equipment, hardware, software and communication services) and the work environment are prepared in line with strategic and business plans
3.5.2 Technology plans are prepared in support of strategic, business and operational plans etc
3.5.3 Implementation of resource and technology plans is set up and monitored in a structured way
3.5.4 Performance is measured, monitored and reported against agreed criteria
3.5.5 Resource plans and technology plans are updated
Unit 4: Change and Improvement
Indicative defining activities:
4.1.1 Processes for review of organisational performance are identified, planned and set up
4.1.2 Pertinent information on organisational performance is identified and collected
4.1.3 Performance is assessed against pre-established performance criteria and targets
4.1.4 Inferior performance and other improvement opportunities are identified and recorded
4.1.5 Superior performance is acknowledged and success rewarded
Indicative defining activities:
4.2.1 Causes of inferior performance are determined and risks are assessed to support decision-making process
4.2.2 Improvement opportunities are agreed and are prioritised by a suitable method
4.2.3 Measurable objectives are established for each improvement project
4.2.4 Implementation actions, responsibilities and timescales for completion are determined
4.2.5 Resources for improvement projects are identified and provided
Indicative defining activities:
4.3.1 Improvement projects are implemented
4.3.2 Progress (towards measurable objectives) are regularly reviewed and monitored and interventions taken as appropriate
Indicative defining activities:
4.4.1 Improvement projects are verified as complete
4.4.2 Measurable objectives for the project are achieved
4.4.3 Planned improvements in operational performance are realised
Unit 5: Customer focus
Note: Customers may be internal to the organisation
Indicative defining activities:
5.1.1 Customers are identified
5.1.2 Customers’ pertinent attributes are identified
Indicative defining activities:
5.2.1 Customers’ requirements are identified
5.2.2 Unclear requirements are clarified
5.2.3 Feedback and complaints are effectively addressed
Indicative defining activities:
5.3.1 Customer satisfaction is measured
5.3.2 Results of customer satisfaction measurement used in design of products and processes
Unit 6: Processes, Products and Services
How the individual acquires, evaluates and implements creative ideas to accelerate business
Indicative defining activities:
6.1.1 Innovative ideas are harvested for processes
6.1.2 Innovative ideas are recognised and supported, eg allocated resources
6.1.3 Ideas are selected and converted to assist in the satisfaction of customer expectations
6.1.4 Research and new technology and techniques are utilised in developing ideas
6.1.5 Processes are identified, developed and designed (including improvements to existing processes) so the best process is used for the task at hand
6.1.6 Needs and expectations of customers (existing and potential) are met when developing new ideas
How the individual manages and improves processes – is there a structured approach
Indicative defining activities:
6.2.1 Processes and their inter-relationships are identified
6.2.2 Processes (including verification processes) are planned
6.2.3 Briefing/induction and training needs for personnel undertaking processes are identified
6.2.4 Personnel are briefed/inducted and trained in use of processes
6.2.5 Inputs for processes are identified reviewed for adequacy
6.2.6 Criteria for acceptability of outputs defined
6.2.7 Outputs are reviewed for compliance
6.2.8 Performance measures are established and achievement monitored
6.2.9 Contributions and participation in improvements encouraged
6.2.10 Improvement processes used (See Unit 4)
6.2.11 Internal customers satisfied (see also customer/client focus)
6.2.12 Internal customer relationships are identified and managed to achieve external customer satisfaction
6.2.13 There are standardised processes
6.2.14 Regulations and Standards are reviewed and complied with and processes are suitably modified
6.2.15 Benchmarking is used for comparison and learning
What quality indicators are used to compare performance against standards, customer expectations and competitors
Indicative defining activities:
6.3.1 Quality indicators for in-process and attribute measures relating to customer requirements are established and reviewed
6.3.2 Performance levels of processes are established and used to ensure agreed specifications can be met
6.3.3 Comparison of products and services with competitors is used (particularly the best performers) to improve the quality, including identification, definition and setting up and monitoring of assessment/measuring techniques
Unit 7: People/Human Resources
Indicative defining activities:
7.1.1 Personal career goals and objectives are identified and their attainment planned and monitored;
7.1.2 Personal strengths are identified and capitalised on
7.1.3 Personal weaknesses are identified and managed
7.1.4 Strategies to sustain personal motivation and effectiveness are established and implemented
7.1.5 Use of time is managed
7.1.6 Self understanding is appreciated and demonstrated in communication with others
7.1.7 Listening and assertive skills are used
Indicative defining activities:
7.2.1 Understanding of ethical behaviours is appreciated and demonstrated (including in regard to its importance to organisational image and reputation, team moral, trust and customer satisfaction)
Indicative defining activities:
7.3.1 The organisation’s personnel recruitment needs are identified
7.3.2 Strategies for recruiting required personnel are determined and implemented
7.3.3 Criteria and processes for recruitment of personnel are established
7.3.4 Personnel are assessed against criteria and recruited
Indicative defining activities:
7.4.1 Performance targets, commensurate with organisational targets are agreed with personnel
7.4.2 Personnel performance regularly assessed against targets
7.4.3 Counselling on poor performance undertaken
7.4.4 Training and development plans agreed with personnel and their implementation monitored (Plans should include building on strengths and addressing weaknesses.)
7.4.5 Measures are taken to develop the strengths of staff and address their weaknesses eg job rotation, mentoring
Indicative defining activities:
7.5.1 Equitable processes used for the dismissal of personnel
Indicative defining activities:
7.6.1 Workplace health and safety provided for employees
7.6.2 Effective personnel feedback mechanisms established, used and reinforced through responsiveness
7.6.3 Equity and diversity strategies developed and implemented
7.6.4 Processes for handling of harassment complaints by personnel established
Unit 8: Supplier Relationships
Note: The term “supplier” in this context refers to suppliers in general, including providers of consultancy services, plant, equipment, materials and constructed works. Suppliers may be internal or external to the organisation.
Indicative defining activities:
8.1.1 Strategy for purchasing and relationship with suppliers are established and implemented
Indicative defining activities:
8.2.1 Process and criteria for selection of suppliers are defined and established
8.2.2 Suppliers selected to criteria and engaged
8.2.3 Feedback and complaints are effectively addressed and matters assessed for identifying potential improvements
Indicative defining activities:
8.3.1 Adequate documents for engagement of suppliers (purchasing documents) are developed, reviewed and approved
8.3.2 Changes to purchasing documents/requirements are managed
Indicative defining activities:
8.4.1 Surveillance/monitoring of suppliers is planned and performed to provide appropriate level of confidence that requirements are met
8.4.2 Planned surveillance/monitoring utilises appropriate approaches (eg quality control and/or quality assurance)
8.4.3 Assessed performance of supplier (including results of surveillance) is made known to supplier recorded and used in selections and planning of surveillance
Unit 9: Information
Indicative defining activities:
9.1.1 The information needs of individuals/teams is determined and the resources are identified
9.1.2 Information held by the organisation is reviewed to determine suitability and accessibility
9.1.3 Plans are prepared to obtain information which is not available/accessible within the organisation
Indicative defining activities:
9.2.1 Collection of information is timely and relevant to the needs of individuals/teams
9.2.2 Information is in a format suitable for analysis, interpretation and dissemination
9.2.3 Information is analysed to identify and report relevant trends and developments in terms of the needs for which it was acquired
Indicative defining activities:
9.3.1 Management information systems and document control systems are used effectively to store and retrieve data for decision making
9.3.2 Technology available in the work area/organisation. is used to manage information effectively and efficiently
9.3.3 Recommendations for improving the information system are submitted to designated persons/groups
Indicative defining activities:
9.4.1 Individuals/teams are involved in business plan/budget and other submission preparation in a way which uses their contribution effectively and gains their support for the outcomes
9.4.2 Business plans/budgets and other submissions are presented in accordance with the organisation’s guidelines and requirements
Indicative defining activities:
9.5.1 Intellectual property of others is identified and used in a lawful manner
9.5.2 Intellectual property of the organisation is protected and managed in an appropriate manner
Indicative defining activities:
9.6.1 Working with legal material is undertaken
9.6.2 Understanding of the legal structures of a business (ie the law of association) is exercised
9.6.3 Understanding of the significant features of the law relating to employment and dispute resolution procedures is exercised
9.6.4 Understanding of basic contract law relevant to the business (including management of variations, dispute resolution and arbitration) is exercised
9.6.5 Knowledge of the law relating to independent contractors is exercised
9.6.6 Knowledge of the law relating to occupational health and safety, workers compensation and rehabilitation is exercised
9.6.7 Knowledge of the law relating to conservation of the environment is exercised
9.6.8 Understanding of relevant aspects of Taxation law is exercised
9.6.9 Freedom of information law is complied with
Indicative defining activities:
9.7.1 Australian, International and other Standards are used as appropriate
Unit 10: Finance, Accounting and Administration
Indicative defining activities:
10.1.1 Financial viability of proposals are assessed, including rate of return
10.1.2 Funding sources are identified and assessed
10.1.3 Financial strategies are developed and implemented
10.1.4 Financial position, financial performance and cash flow statements are used
10.1.5 Financial viability of organisations are assessed
10.1.6 Financial performance is monitored
Indicative defining activities:
10.2.1 Income and expenditure are planned and monitored
10.2.2 Cash flow budgets are prepared
10.2.3 Budget Controls are understood and used
10.2.4 Costing information identified and used
10.2.5 Familiarity with elements of accounts payable system demonstrated
10.2.6 Familiarity with elements of accounts receivable system demonstrated
10.2.7 Familiarity with elements of the payroll system demonstrated
10.2.8 Familiarity with elements of asset management system demonstrated
Indicative defining activities:
10.3.1 Purpose and methodology of audits understood and involvement in audits managed. Audits may relate to following
- Financial
- Quality
- Environment
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Risk management
- Corporate governance
Indicative defining activities:
10.4.1 Strategies for the prevention of fraud are established and implemented
10.4.2 Accountable financial and business processes are employed
10.4.3 Incidents investigated and corrective action implemented
Indicative defining activities:
10.5.1 Occupational Health and Safety principles understood and implemented
10.5.2 Injury and dangerous occurrences reported
10.5.3 Incidents investigated and corrective action implemented