Unpacking Units: Big or Small?

This is an introductory article for people who are new to unpacking units of competency.

Units of Competency vary in size. Some units are big, and some are small.

But what do we mean by a big unit or small unit? The size of the unit may vary depending on what we are measuring, for example:

• The time required to deliver the training to help someone, or a group learn the knowledge, skills and how to perform the task or tasks described by the unit
• The time and effort required to learn the knowledge, skills and how to perform the task or tasks described by the unit, or
• The time required to perform the task or tasks.

In this article, I am primarily focused on the time required to perform the task or tasks described by the unit. This can have an impact on the time and effort required to design, develop and deliver training or the time and effort required learn how to perform the task or tasks.

We may think that looking at the number of elements and performance criteria would tell us if it were a big or small unit. But the number of elements and performance criteria can be deceptive.

A unit with many elements and performance criteria may be a small unit, and a unit with few elements and performance criteria may be a big unit.

A big unit that looks small

Let’s look at the BSBCMM411 Make presentations unit of competency. This unit has 3 elements and a total of 10 performance criteria.

The time required to plan and prepare for a presentation can vary widely depending on several factors, including the complexity of the topic, the length of the presentation, the audience, and the presenter’s familiarity with the subject. Here are some general guidelines:

Simple presentations (with a duration of 10-15 minutes)

• Research and content development: 2-4 hours
• Creating visual aids (for example, PowerPoint slides): 1-2 hours
• Rehearsal and practice: 1-2 hours
• Total time: Approximately 4-8 hours

Moderate presentations (with a duration of 20-30 minutes)

• Research and content development: 4-8 hours
• Creating visual aids: 2-4 hours
• Rehearsal and practice: 2-3 hours
• Total time: Approximately 8-15 hours

Complex presentations (with a duration of 45 minutes or more)

• Research and content development: 8-12 hours
• Creating visual aids: 4-6 hours
• Rehearsal and practice: 3-5 hours
• Total time: Approximately 15-23 hours

The total time required to prepare, deliver and review a presentation is significant. Therefore, this may be considered as a ‘big’ unit of competency although it may look like a ‘small’ unit.

A small unit that looks big

Let’s look at the HLTDEN028 Provide effective oral hygiene instruction to patients with an oral health treatment plan unit of competency. This unit has 4 elements and a total of 19 performance criteria. That is nearly double the amount performance criteria that the BSBCMM411 Make presentations unit has.

I have been told by a dental assistant that the task of providing oral hygiene instruction to patients take approximately 5 to 15 minutes. Therefore, this may be considered as a ‘small’ unit of competency to perform. However, it would require considerable time and effort by someone to learn the required knowledge that underpins this unit.

In conclusion

The size of a unit is not solely determined by the number of elements and performance criteria.

People studying for their TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification will need to develop training plans for two units of competency. They will often be told to select small units. But it isn’t always obvious what is a small unit or a big unit. There is a range of factors that may determine the size of a unit, for example:

• The number of elements and performance criteria
• The number of foundation skills
• The quantity of knowledge evidence
• The depth and breadth of the knowledge evidence
• The complexity of the task or tasks covered by the unit of competency
• The time required to perform the task or tasks covered by the unit of competency.

Some units of competency focus on a single task, while others cover multiple tasks.

Do you need help with your TAE studies?

Are you a doing the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and are you struggling with your studies? Do you want help with your TAE studies?

Ring Alan Maguire on 0493 065 396 to discuss.

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Training trainers since 1986