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MSMOPS400 Current

Application

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to optimise the process
performance of a complete process, plant area or system. It requires optimising a more
significant portion of a plant than would be required for one of the PMAOPS3## series. It also
requires a more strategic approach to the optimisation than the routine, day-to-day
optimisation undertaken as a routine part of plant operation. The optimisation may, or may
not involve capital expenditure.
It includes ensuring that the process/plant area complies with health, safety and environment
(HSE) requirements, that process, plant and equipment improvement is planned and carried
out, and that problems are solved to meet operational needs and ensure that production of
finished goods meets customer requirements. It includes all items of equipment and unit
operations which form part of the production process of a complete area.
This unit of competency requires the application of detailed operational and process
knowledge, including the principles of operation of equipment, and the chemistry and/or
physics and/or biology/biochemistry of changes to materials occurring during processing. It
embodies a significant breadth and depth of technical knowledge and process understanding
which is applied to process improvement.
This competency is typically performed by a senior operator, team leader or frontline
manager.

What You'll Learn

1. Analyse and

  • 1.1 Compare actual process, plant and equipment
  • 1.2 Identify abnormal or sub-optimal process, plant and
  • 1.3 Identify hazards associated with the plant and equipment
  • 1.4 Collect and evaluate product, materials and/or process
  • 1.5 Use appropriate techniques to rank possible causes from

2. Develop plan for

  • 2.1 Analyse causes to determine appropriate corrective
  • 2.3 Predict the impact of a change on HSE performance
  • 2.4 Develop measurable objectives and evaluate alternatives
  • 2.5 Identify requirements to implement change
  • 2.6 Consult with stakeholders regarding planned changes
  • 2.7 Develop optimisation plan taking account of hazards
  • 2.8 Evaluate optimisation action to determine measures of

3. Coordinate

  • 3.1 Coordinate all appropriate unit areas and operations in
  • 3.2 Initiate and/or implement all required
  • 3.3 Communicate corrective/optimisation outcomes to all
  • 3.4 Record and maintain log of all relevant information

4. Develop

  • 4.1 Identify opportunities to continuously improve
  • 4.3 Consult with appropriate personnel and implement
  • 4.4 Document implementation of continuous improvement

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and demonstrate the ability to:
identify and interpret information from a range of internal and external sources
use analytical techniques to identify cause of a complex problem
determine corrective actions to optimise the condition of the process, plant and equipment
plan and coordinate corrective/optimisation actions and related changes that may be required
develop written plans
complete documentation
identify and control hazards by applying the hierarchy of control as part of the optimisation process
distinguish between:
optimum and marginal performance of the plant
effective and marginal performance corrections and actions
communicate and consult with stakeholders at all levels
read and interpret technical information and relevant regulatory requirements
develop and implement continuous improvement strategies.

Knowledge Evidence

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
hazards that may arise in the job/work environment, including:
their possible causes
potential consequences
appropriate risk controls
relevant technical theory of the plant area
an in depth understanding of plant and process across the entire plant area being optimised
process parameters and limits, including:
temperature
pressure
flow
pH
effects of variations in process conditions and materials
functions and principles of operation of equipment in the production process
chemistry and/or physics and/or biology/biochemistry relevant to changes to materials during processing.

Assessment Conditions

The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
The collection of performance evidence is best done from a report and/or folio of evidence drawn from:
a single project which provides sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria
multiple smaller projects which together provide sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria.
It is desirable that this evidence comes from implemented optimisation projects. However, where the project does not receive sanction to be implemented, or is otherwise not implemented, then sufficient evidence may be able to be obtained from a detailed implementation plan and a simulated implementation.
A third-party report, or similar, may be needed to testify to the work done by the individual, particularly when the project has been done as part of a project team.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or practical, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.
Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 assessor requirements
Links
Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=d1287d36-dff4-4e9f-ad2c-9d6270054027

Foundation Skills

  • This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance. Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. Range of Conditions

Parent Qualifications

Related Units

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Last updated from training.gov.au: 07 February 2026