SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications 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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Provide assistance for project cost control functions 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
123467  Provide assistance for project cost control functions 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Project Management 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Project Management 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular-Fundamental  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 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 
The person credited with this unit standard is able to provide the type of assistance required for cost control to be carried out on projects. They will also be able to identify the data required, to gather and collate this data and provide the required information in the correct format so that the project cost control function can be performed.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Explaining elements of the procedures for project cost control.
  • Gathering and collating cost budget data to establish a control budget for a project.
  • Gathering and collating progress information for updating the cost reporting system for a project.
  • Storing and distributing progress information for the cost reporting system for a project.
  • Contributing to the development and maintenance of a historical cost control databank. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners accessing this unit standard will have demonstrated competence in:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2 or equivalent.
  • Computer Literacy at NQF Level 2 or equivalent.
  • Understand the project and project support services environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Where applicable, specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to a specific outcome or assessment criteria.
  • Projects will include all types of projects including but not limited to: technical, developmental and business related projects. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain elements of the procedures for project cost control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The purpose of cost reports is described according to project or organisational definitions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The benefits and constraints of cost reports are illustrated within the domain of the project or organisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The elements of a cost report are interpreted to establish the current status of the project as measured against the control budget. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to, cost budget, cost variations, control budget, commitments, cost to complete, final projected cost, cost variances.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The final projected cost is explained as measured against the control budget. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The purpose of calculating cost variances is illustrated with examples from the workplace. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Positive and negative variances.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Gather and collate cost budget data to establish a control budget for a project. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Types of control budget data are identified and explained relative to the project. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sources of control budget information are identified and explained within the domain of the project. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Data to establish the control budget is gathered and collated in the required format and timeframe. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to, project scope document, forecast of cost, work and cost breakdown structures.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Relationship between current scope of the project and the control budget is explained using the project's scope statement and the control budget. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Gather and collate progress information for updating the cost reporting system for a project. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Types of progress data are identified and described within the domain of the project. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Including but not limited to, committed costs, expenditure, changes to budgets, scope changes, forecasts.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sources of progress information are identified and explained within the domain of the project. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information to support committed costs on the project is gathered and collated within the required format and time frames. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Information to support expenditure on the project is gathered and collated within the required format and time frames. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Information to support changes to budgets on the project is gathered and collated within the required format and time frames. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Information to support the forecast of final expected cost on the project is gathered and collated within the required format and time frames. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Store and distribute progress information for the cost reporting system for a project. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Progress data and budget reports are reproduced and distributed in accordance with organisational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Records of cost control functions are kept in the required format. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Contribute to the development and maintenance of a historical cost control databank. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    A databank is any collection of relevant data which may be in any form including electronic database, hard copies, etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The relevance and purpose of developing and maintaining a historical databank is explained with examples in the context of the organisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The uses and application of the historical databank are described within the context of the project or organisation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The types of data required in the databank are identified in terms of organisational policy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Cost Control data is collated, indexed and stored in the databank in accordance with organisational policy, and within the required timeframes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The information being prepared for storage in the databank is checked for completeness and compliance according to organisational policy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Remedial action is taken as directed in accordance with organisational procedures. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Project procedures for project cost reporting.
  • Basic communication principles.
  • Basic understanding of the project work flow.
  • Basic knowledge of the nature of the business and project.
  • The application of commonly used information gathering techniques for obtaining cost control data. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others in order to provide the relevant assistance for cost control purposes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities so that all required project cost control data is at hand as and when required. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information pertaining to the cost control function on a project in order to provide assistance. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with all project team members to identify and obtain the required data in order to provide the necessary level of support for project cost control. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology to store and present data for project cost control. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems where having and supplying the correct data leads to a more successful project outcome. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology:
  • Changes to budget: Alterations or variations to the cost for completing an activity or the project work.
  • Committed costs: The sum of all financial obligations made, including incurred costs and expenditure as well as obligations which will not be performed until later.
  • Control budget: An initial cost budget altered to reflect agreed changes to the project scope including more defined estimate of cost.
  • Cost budget: A planned allocation of financial resources.
  • Cost report: A project report at a specific point in time that indicate costs and forecast as measured against the approved control budget.
  • Cost to complete: The difference between the final projected cost and the committed cost to date.
  • Cost variances: Any difference between the forecast budget cost and the actual cost of that activity.
  • Final projected cost: The expected total cost of an activity, a group of activities, or the project when the scope of the project has been completed.
  • Forecast: An approximation of the cost of the resources needed to complete project activities.
  • Project scope: The agreed activities required to complete a project. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  50398   National Certificate: Project Support Service  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 


    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 Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries 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 Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications 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.