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Workplace Communication
Management Folio
This unit of work addresses aspects of the following syllabus outcomes:
H5.1: selects and uses communication and information processing skills
H5.2: selects and applies appropriate documentation techniques to project management
Source: Board of Studies (1999) Stage 6, Industrial Technology syllabus, preliminary and HSC courses. Board of Studies: Sydney.
Management Folio
The Board of Studies outlines the main criteria to be used for the assessment of the Major Project Folio and the Major Project itself (the product). The table below outlines the main criteria for the major project folio (syllabus page 47) together with some guidelines developed by the marking teams.
The way marks are allocated for the main criteria is given below:
| DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT | Documentation of the development of the project |
|---|---|
| Description | Communication techniques |
| Statement of intent | Clarifies the intent of the major project by explaining clearly what is to be achieved and why |
| Research | Evidence of a range of relevant research techniques |
| Development of ideas | Clear and logical developed design and/or modification resulting in the final design |
| Selection and justification of components, processes, and other resources | Justifies the selection of relevant materials, components, processes, including industrial processes and equipment, and other resources investigated in the research for application in the major project |
| Timeline plan | Estimated or actual project timescale, projected order of production and estimate of time allocation |
| Finance plan | Estimate of costing, establishment of budget, projected cost of materials and services (if applicable) |
| Use of appropriate industrial processes and equipment | Have industrial processes been utilised in the production of the project? Are they documented? Were they appropriate? |
| Evidence of safe working practices and OH&S issues | Photographic record and written evidence of safe working practices, e.g. risk management |
| WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION | Documentation of the major project from conception to completion |
|---|---|
| Description | Communication techniques |
| Ongoing evaluation | Evidence that evaluation has been ongoing and utilised during the planning and construction of the project |
| Appropriate design &/or design modification | Documents the relationship between the design, and/or modifications and the intent of the major project |
| Evaluation of the major project and its relationship to the statement of intent | Final product does it achieve the project goals? Is it appropriate to the intended function? |
| Communication techniques | Demonstrates a wide range of communication techniques, e.g. electronic, written evidence, annotated sketches, technical and working drawings, appropriate to the development of the major project |
| Computer applications | Evidence of a range of computer applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, CAD, multimedia |
Major project examination marks
- Design and Management + Workplace Communication = 20 of the 60 marks
- Production = 40 of the 60 marks
Activity 1
When developing a folio for your Major Project in Industrial Technology, all of the headings listed on the left hand side of the Major Project Examination Marking Criteria sheet need to be addressed. The areas to be marked can be communicated in a variety of ways. In the following table list appropriate communication techniques that can be used to convey this information in a folio, i.e. word processing, spreadsheets, sketches etc.
| Design and Management | Communication techniques |
|---|---|
| Statement of intent | |
| Research | |
| Development of ideas | |
| Selection and justification of components, processes, and other resources | |
| Timeline plan | |
| Finance plan | |
| Use of appropriate industrial processes and equipment | |
| Evidence of safe working practices and OH&S issues | |
| Workplace Communication | Communication techniques |
| Ongoing evaluation | |
| Appropriate design &/or design modification | |
| Evaluation of the major project and its relationship to the statement of intent | |
| Computer applications |
Project Timeline
When producing a timeline for your Major Project a table or spreadsheet is a clear and effective way of communicating the logical sequence of operations needed to complete the project by the due date. The following table using Microsoft Word is one example of how to set out a timeline. This allows you to estimate the time taken to complete parts of the project and to project the order of production. One column is needed for the date, which can be done either for work done each day, week or month. The second column shows the estimated time taken to complete sections or parts of your project. This column needs to be completed BEFORE the project has commenced so time is allocated wisely. A third column should display information showing what you have actually done in the progress of your project. This column should be completed progressively, depending upon whether you have dated the timeline daily, weekly or monthly. In practice the estimated and actual time scales tend to be noticeably different as they progress towards the completion of the project.
| Month | Estimated Time | Actual time |
|---|---|---|
| October 2001 | Work on
folio - Complete research by looking at books, magazines, past
projects, internet Development of ideas - draw initial sketches Complete final sketches Complete workshop drawings Buy materials |
Worked
on folio: Completed most research: enough to start project (modifications
will be made along the way) Final sketches completed Working drawings not yet complete Have not bought materials yet checking on best places to buy materials |
| November 2001 |
||
| December 2001 |
||
| January 2002 |
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| February 2002 |
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| March 2002 |
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| April 2002 |
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| May 2002 |
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| June 2002 |
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| July 2002 |
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| August 2002 |
Finance Plan
A finance plan can be set out using the same format. A table or spreadsheet can clearly communicate what materials need to be bought and whether you can afford them. If work needs to be done outside it needs to be organised so as not to interfere with the construction of the project. The estimated costing should not be a single total. There needs to be evidence that you have looked at the breakdown in costs before construction of the major project has commenced. At the completion of the project there should be a breakdown in the actual costing with all receipts being included in the folio where possible. There are a number of sites on the web, which are under development at the moment. Sites such as Bunnings and Hardwarehouse will soon have their complete listing of all the items that they carry as well as their price. This will enable candidates to give a fairly accurate estimate of what their Major Project will cost before they have commenced production.
Activity 2
Organise the following information into a table or spreadsheet to clearly show a Finance plan for a timber bar unit showing:
- material
- estimated cost
- actual cost
Estimated costing: Radiata Pine for frame
$50.00, Jarrah timber for bar $900, screws $30, dowels $10, glue
$5, hinges $40.00, handles $30, stain $10, estapol $15, abrasive
paper $10, Jarrah plywood veneer backing $90.
Total = $1190
Actual costing - Radiata Pine for frame
$63.70, Jarrah timber for bar $1210, screws $14.75, dowels $3.25,
glue $7.25, hinges $50.40, handles $21.50, stain $11.40, lacquer
$68.45, abrasive paper $14.04, Paint accessories $16.56, jarrah
plywood veneer backing $115, putty $19.85, catches $15.97.
Total = $ 1632.12.
Selection and justification of components, processes and other resources
When final working drawings and a materials list have been completed, the materials, processes and other resources need to be investigated so as to make the best possible project to fulfil the statement of intent. A good practice is to investigate the following areas:
- what is available?
- do you have access to it?
- do you have time to do it?
- can you afford it?
Once you have all the necessary information you can justify why you are using the materials, processes and other resources. A table or spreadsheet is a good communication technique as it makes it easier to look at the strengths and weaknesses of different components, processes and other resources. From the table or spreadsheet a few sentences explaining your reasons for making the Major Project the way you have can be communicated easily. Typical areas in your folio that would be suited to this technique are materials chosen, joints used, strength needed, finish applied, costing and where it is to be placed.
Activity 3
A candidate is producing a Major Project in Furniture and Timber Industries and is investigating Tasmanian timbers that could be suitable for use in their project. The project will involve some turning and could be left exposed to the weather for extended periods of time. Cost at this stage has not been assessed.
Design a table or spreadsheet to help choose and justify which timber is best suited to the project. Obtain the information from the following website:
http://www.tastimber.tas.gov.au/species/species.asp 
Timbers:
Myrtle, Blackwood, Celery Top Pine, Tasmanian Oak, Huon Pine
Timber qualities:
colour, grain, durability, turning, glueing, finishing.
Materials List
When you have completed your final Workshop Drawing(s), a materials list needs to be constructed to work out how much material needs to be purchased and to communicate to the supplier the quantities that you need in a form that can be understood. The following is an example of a materials list suitable in the timber and metal industries. The materials list can be adapted to suit other technologies.
Example of a Materials List
| Item | Timber | Quantity | Length | Width | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower shelf | Jarrah | 4 | 1500 | 150 | 38 |
| Bar top | Jarrah | 2 | 2180 | 200 | 38 |
| Front panels | Jarrah | 5 | 2250 | 300 | 19 |
| Side panels | Jarrah | 1 | 2250 | 200 | 19 |
| Skirting | Jarrah | 1 | 2950 | 150 | 19 |
| Underneath canopy | Jarrah | 2 | 2250 | 200 | 19 |
| Decorative pieces | Jarrah | 5 | 2200 | 250 | 19 |
| Drawer fronts | Jarrah | 1 | 1200 | 200 | 19 |
| Posts | Jarrah | 1 | 2150 | 80 | 80 |
Research
When researching material for your Major
Project, the Internet, as well as books, brochures, etc. can
be used to look at similar projects or to get ideas from. It
is possible using a search engine to look at sites on the web
and to download information that is suitable for your project.
For example using a search engine with the words 'timber furniture'
lists over 100 sites to investigate. Many of the sites have pictures
of different types of furniture from all over the world. The
Internet may provide ideas that you may not have otherwise thought
of, for your major project.. Other websites are available using
different key words such as 'original furniture plans'.
As well as pictures of projects there are handy hints that can
be collected free from these sites.
Examples:
http://www.originalfurnitureplans.com
http://www.paragonfurniture.com.au
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