SAQA All qualifications and unit standards registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD: 

Apply a systems approach to decision making 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252026  Apply a systems approach to decision making 
ORIGINATOR ORIGINATING PROVIDER
SGB Generic Management   
QUALITY ASSURING BODY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Generic Management 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE OLD NQF LEVEL NEW NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  New Level Assignment Pend.  6 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Registered  2007-11-28  2010-11-28  SAQA 0474/07 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2011-11-28   2014-11-28  

In all of the tables in this document, both the old and the new NQF Levels are shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any reference to NQF Levels are to the old levels unless specifically stated otherwise. 

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard is intended for managers in all economic sectors. These managers would typically be second level managers such as heads of department, section heads or divisional heads, who may have more than one team reporting to them.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Applying critical and analytical skills to analyse an issue or problem.
  • Engage with stakeholders in analysing the issue/problem and developing solutions.
  • Selecting feasible solutions through a systems approach.
  • Formulating and communicating the decision. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.
  • Computer Literacy at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • The learner is required to apply the learning in respect of this/her own area of responsibility.
  • Unit refers to the division, department or business unit in which the learner is responsible for managing and leading staff.
  • Entity includes, but is not limited to, a company, business unit, public institution, small business, Non-Profit Organisation or Non-Governmental Organisation. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Apply critical and analytical skills to analyse an issue or problem. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Critical and analytical skills are applied to analyse and define an issue/problem affecting the functioning of a unit. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Critical and analytical skills are applied to determine factors impacting on the issue/problem and other areas in a unit and the entity affected by the issue/problem. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Engage with stakeholders in analysing the issue/problem and developing solutions. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Stakeholders include team members from own unit, managers and staff from other units in the entity, suppliers and customers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of the consultation is communicated to stakeholders with reference to the aspects of the issue/problem and solutions to be discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The critical and analytical processes for analysing the issue/problem and generating ideas on addressing the issue/problem are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The participation of stakeholders is obtained in analysing the unit's internal and external environment to identify factors relevant to the issue/problem. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The participation of team members is obtained in developing solutions to the issue/problem that would contribute towards the functioning of the unit and the broader system within which it operates. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The different ideas, values and perspectives of team members and stakeholders are recognised and respected in view of the value they add to the solution developed. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Select feasible solutions through a systems approach. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The inputs from stakeholders are analysed to identify feasible solutions to the issue/problem that would improve the functioning of the unit and the broader system within which it operates. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The identified solutions are prioritised in terms of their potential outcomes on the various processes/sections in the unit, the wider entity and external stakeholders. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A solution(s) is selected that is most appropriate within a systems context taking into consideration interrelated issues that impact on the solution and areas that will be impacted upon by the implementation of the solution. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Formulate and communicate the decision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The decision on addressing the issue/problem is formulated with reference to the impact of the decision on the unit and the broader system within which it operates. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Actions required to implement the decision in the unit are described with reference to activities, role players, resources and time lines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Change processes that are required to support the implementation of the decision are described with reference to their impact on the success of the implementation of the decision. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The decision is communicated to relevant team members in the unit and other stakeholders who will be involved in its implementation in a user-friendly format. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a candidate against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • The systems approach as applied to decision making and problem solving.
  • Critical and analytical thinking techniques.
  • Techniques for analysing and defining problems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking processes in order resolve issues, problems and challenges in a unit. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community to ensure participation by team members in developing solutions to an issue/problem in a unit. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly in order to proactively address issues, problems and challenges in a unit. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information in order to have all relevant information available for addressing issues, problems and challenges in the unit. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language in the modes of oral and/or written communication in involving team members in critical and analytical thinking processes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility to the environment and health of others when developing solutions to issues/problems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of interrelated systems by recognising that problem solving contexts and challenges do not exist in isolation and that a variety of factors need to be taken into account in a systems approach to decision making. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities in applying critical thinking practices within the unit and being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of contexts in applying critical thinking practices within a unit. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE OLD LEVEL NEW LEVEL STATUS END DATE QUALITY ASSURING BODY
    Core  63769   National Certificate: Business Analysis Support Practice  Level 5  New Level Assignment Pend.  Registered  2011-10-22  ISETT 
    Fundamental  59201   National Certificate: Generic Management  Level 5  New Level Assignment Pend.  Registered  2010-11-28  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Fundamental  60070   National Certificate: Inspection and Assessment (Non-Metallics)  Level 5  New Level Assignment Pend.  Registered  2011-03-12  MERSETA 
    Fundamental  63529   National Certificate: Railway Signalling Technology  Level 5  New Level Assignment Pend.  Registered  2011-10-22  TETA 
    Elective  71969   National Certificate: Automotive Components: Manufacturing and Assembly  Level 5  New Level Assignment Pend.  Registered  2012-09-09  MERSETA 
    Elective  78943   National Certificate: Autotronics  Level 5  New Level Assignment Pend.  Registered  2013-07-28   
    Elective  66789   National Certificate: Environmental Management  Level 5  New Level Assignment Pend.  Registered  2012-06-17   
    Elective  59258   National Certificate: Polygraphy  Level 5  New Level Assignment Pend.  Registered  2010-11-28  SAS SETA 
    Elective  63369   National Diploma: Trade Union Practice  Level 5  New Level Assignment Pend.  Registered  2011-11-26  ETDP SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Quality Assuring Bodies have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Quality Assuring Body should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. DYNA TRAINING (PTY) LTD 
    2. KAHANI TRAINING AND CONSULTING (PTY) LTD 
    3. ORGANISATION DEVELOPMENT INTERNATIONAL ODI 


    All qualifications and unit standards registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.