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: 

Perform work using a project approach 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
244563  Perform work using a project approach 
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  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 use a project approach for simple situations that can be treated as a project through developing and agreeing the project purpose, deliverables and timeframe, developing a simple plan, controlling the work and closing the project.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Demonstrating an understanding of applying a project approach.
  • Determining and agreeing an approach to be taken for a small, simple project.
  • Preparing a project plan of action.
  • Undertaking project activities.
  • Checking and communicating progress of a project. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The learner must be competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 3.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • A project is a once-off undertaking to create and deliver a unique product, service, result, or once-off event that is completed in a finite period of time.
  • Characteristics may include but are not limited to finite time frame, specific deliverables, once off, temporary activity, unique.
  • A project in this standard may include but is not limited to an event such as a school dance, a party, a wedding, a year end exhibition, or a simple research project, or achieving a personal goal, or community project such as fund raising or establishing a vegetable garden.
  • Project sponsor is a party who may be doing one or more of; guiding the project, providing funding, approving decisions or expenditure, asking for-therefore being the customer of-the project.
  • Parties are people or organisations who may be providing inputs, receiving outputs or undertaking work on a project. They are stakeholders on the project.
  • Project plan may include but is not limited to purpose, major deliverables, simple calendar or schedule of tasks, cost budget and roles and responsibilities.
  • Key steps to applying a project approach may include but are not limited to start up, planning, executing or doing the work, controlling the work, completing the work and finalising the project. This can also include; determining and agreeing required results, deciding what work is required and what resources will be needed, estimating costs, obtaining funds, obtaining resources.
  • Deliverables are the tangible results or outputs from a project.
  • Activities or tasks are work undertaken on the project.
  • Resources may include but are not limited to money, people, materials, equipment, facilities or consumables.
  • Team is two or more people working together.
  • Lessons are learnings from positive or negative things that happened during a project. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of applying a project approach. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The project concept is explained with examples of project occurrences. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The key characteristics of a project are explained with practical examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The key steps for applying a project approach are described with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Determine and agree an approach to be taken for a small, simple project. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Project in this standard may include but is not limited to an event such as a school dance, or a party, or a wedding, or a year end exhibition, or a simple research project, or achieving a personal goal, or community project such as fund raising or establishing a vegetable garden. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Parties interested in the project are identified and their interest described and recorded in a clear and concise manner. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Project purpose is determined, documented and agreed with project sponsor and/or beneficiary. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Purpose defines the reason a project is taking place and may include goals and objectives of the project.
  • Project sponsor is a party who may be doing one or more of; guiding the project, providing funding, approving decisions or expenditure, asking for therefore being the customer of the project.
  • Beneficiary is a party who will receive some form of benefit or improvement due to the project.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Discussions are held with key parties to define and agree situation and approach to a project. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Preliminary ideas for approach to the project are documented and agreed with key parties. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Prepare a project plan of action. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The major deliverables and associated activities are identified, described and recorded in a clear manner. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Simple sequence of the activities or tasks for the project is developed, recorded and reflects the order in which the work must be done to produce the deliverables. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Time estimates for each activity or task are developed and recorded with the task information. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Resource types and quantities required for each activity or task are identified, clearly described and recorded with the task information. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Costs for each resource type are sourced and total cost per task is calculated and recorded with the task information. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Some resource types may have a zero cost. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Simple cost budget is produced for the project that includes and summarises all resource and task costs. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Cost budget should show the forecast expenditure against an agreed time period.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Simple project plan is produced recording all agreements for the project. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Project plan may include but is not limited to purpose, major deliverables, simple calendar or schedule of tasks, cost budget and roles and responsibilities.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Undertake project activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Activities or tasks are allocated to team members in accordance with plan of action. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Activities or tasks are undertaken in accordance with schedule. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Progress on activities or tasks is communicated to interested parties. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Financial data is presented in required format. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Check and communicate progress of a project. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Progress on activities, deliverables and expenditure is regularly tracked and progress checked against project plan. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Differences between actual and planned activities, deliverables or expenses are identified and the causes described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Changes and their impact on deliverables, work or costs are identified and described in a report. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Problems are identified and solutions or corrective action developed with the team. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Corrective action is implemented as agreed with the project team and/or project sponsor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    All project deliverables are complete and accepted by project sponsor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Completion of the project is communicated to interested parties. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Lessons from the project are developed with the team and recorded for future reference. 


    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 declared competent in all the outcomes of the National Assessor Unit Standards (Design and Conducting) as stipulated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be competent in this unit standard.
  • 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 to be conducted by an accredited provider according to internal approved provider policy and the relevant ETQA guidelines.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    This standard expects a simple level of understanding and application of project management principles, processes and techniques:
  • Basics of project concept and terminology.
  • Developing purpose, goals and objectives.
  • Problem solving on a project, including changes to planned activities.
  • Planning, executing and controlling processes for a simple project.
  • Reporting progress.
  • Defining costs and producing a simple budget. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems pertaining to the project activities. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others in the process of monitoring and controlling the cost management plan. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and ones activities in such a way so as to balance project work with time available and priority of tasks. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information related to the project activities. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with relevant parties regarding purpose, proposed activities and progress of the project. 

    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 
    A project is seen to be a focussed once off or unique set of activities to produce a deliverable, service or event.

    A project approach is seen to be the adoption of project management processes and techniques in a simplistic manner to achieve results. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  65010   National Certificate: Aviation Support Operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2018-06-30  TETA 
    Elective  58800   Further Education and Training Certificate: Project Support Services  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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.