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MSMOPS401 Current

Application

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to take a lead technical role
in the trialling of a new or significantly altered product or process. The new/changed
product/process has been independently developed and its development is not part of this unit.
The unit of competency applies to a person in a technician role in a plant or a similar role. The
technician is expected already to be a technical expert in that part of the plant/process where
the trial is being conducted and be able to operate and control all equipment required for the
trial. The technician is often the most technically competent member of an operational team.
As such, they may not have the ‘hands on’ role of operating items of equipment; but they are
required to have the competence to direct the operation of equipment as appropriate
throughout the trial.
Typically the technician will be part of a team during the trial and will work in conjunction
with a process/product development expert, such as a chemist or engineer and liaise and
cooperate with other members of the team.
Trialling refers to the scale-up and other development steps required to take a new product or
process from its design/laboratory trials to full commercial operation on a plant. Trialling may
be done on a pilot plant where available and/or on a full scale plant.
This unit of competency does not apply to minor modifications to existing products or
processes. Similarly it does not apply to a technician or operator taking part in such trials
and/or who is simply following directions from a technician, chemist, engineer, supervisor or
manager.

What You'll Learn

1. Contribute to the

  • 1.1 Liaise with appropriate technical experts
  • 1.3 Interpret technical specifications/drawings of plant
  • 1.4 Recommend equipment/ancillary equipment appropriate
  • 1.5 Recommend process conditions appropriate for the
  • 1.6 Recommend feed rates/order/condition appropriate to
  • 1.7 Ensure hazard identification and analysis procedures are
  • 1.8 Ensure recommendations meet the identified need

2. Prepare for trials

  • 2.1 Determine the availability of resources required, such as
  • 2.2 Estimate time required for trial
  • 2.3 Liaise with relevant stakeholders
  • 2.4 Schedule trial at a convenient time
  • 2.5 Develop documentation for the trial
  • 2.6 Identify potential hazards and required hazard control
  • 2.7 Determine permit and other authorisation requirements
  • 2.8 Verify decisions with appropriate experts/stakeholders
  • 2.9 Ensure people with adequate skills are available for the

3. Conduct trials

  • 3.1 Ensure hazard controls are implemented prior to
  • 3.2 Run trials
  • 3.3 Maintain communication with all relevant personnel
  • 3.4 Closely monitor critical parameters
  • 3.5 Recognise actual and potential problems
  • 3.6 Make adjustments to process conditions as required
  • 3.7 Sample and test product as required
  • 3.8 Record and report performance data
  • 3.9 Ensure all materials, products and waste are handled
  • 3.10 Leave plant in a condition suitable for routine

4. Evaluate results

  • 4.1 Interpret data from trial
  • 4.3 Recommend modifications and improvements required
  • 4.4 Develop and check standard operating procedures
  • 4.5 Complete documentation and report to appropriate
  • 4.6 Ensure all relevant staff have required skill levels for the

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:
analyse technical information from a range of sources
determine recommendations for new process or product, including:
materials
equipment
process and process conditions
required variations in process variables
plan the trials
conduct trials
communicate and liaise with people at a range of levels about technical matters
write technical documentation, including specifications and procedures required for the trial
ensure formal hazard analysis procedures are undertaken
recognise early warning signs of equipment/processes or potential problems needing attention
isolate the causes of problems to an item of equipment within the plant system
identify any additional skills needs.

Knowledge Evidence

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
organisation procedures
relevant technical theory of the plant area
chemistry and/or physics and/or biology/biochemistry relevant to changes to materials during processing
effects of variations in process conditions and materials
routine and non-routine problems that may arise, the range of possible causes and processes to develop solutions
methods of changing rate and the advantages and disadvantages of each
methods of controlling other process variables and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

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.
The trial may, or may not be a success.
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