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Title / Identify and contribute to continuous improvement in a dairy processing operation
Level / 4 / Credits / 10
Purpose / This unit standard is for people carrying out milk processing functions in a dairy processing operation.
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of dairy processing requirements and tools that can be used for the implementation of a continuous improvement process, and contribute to continuous improvement, in a dairy processing operation.
Classification / Dairy Processing > Milk Processing
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to Animal Products Act 1999, Animal Products (Dairy) Regulations 2005, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995.
2Definition
Organisational requirements – instructions to staff on policies and procedures which are documented in memo, electronic or manual format and are available in the workplace.These requirements include but are not limited to – site specific requirements, and company quality management requirements
Continuous improvement process - is an ongoing effort to improve products, services or processes. These efforts can seek incremental improvementover time or breakthroughimprovementall at once.
3This unit standard must be assessed in a realistic workplace environment. The candidate must be under realistic time pressures and use relevant commercial equipment.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of dairy processing requirements and tools that can be used for the implementation of a continuous improvement process.
Evidence requirements
1.1Dairy process and product characteristics are identified and outlined in terms of processing requirements.
Rangeprocessing requirements may include but are not limited to – product specifications, procedures, type and purpose of product tests conducted, operating parameters, instrument calibration, recording and reporting;
evidence is required for three processing requirements.
1.2Opportunity for using continuous improvement processes and tools is explained in terms of purpose and application
Rangetools to identify difference between current and target condition may include but are not limited to – 5 Whys technique, cause and effect diagrams, check sheets, control charts, Pareto charts, histograms, scatter diagrams, flow charts, root cause analysis;
evidence is required for three analysis tools.
1.3Implementation of continuous improvement countermeasures is outlined in terms of the purpose of each step in a systematic learning structure for problem solving and implementation of continuous improvement.
Implementation of the continuous improvement process is described, identifying the purpose of each step in a structured and systematic problem solving approach.
Rangesystematic sequence for problem solving and implementation of a continuous improvement process may include but is not limited to – A3, 4 Step, PDCA (plan-do-check-act) cycle, DMAIC (define-measure-analyse-improve-control) process;
evidence is required of one structured learning process.
Outcome 2
Contribute to continuous improvement process in a dairy processing operation.
Performance criteria
2.1A dairy processing operationis monitored to determine potential problems or priority areas for improvement.
2.2Potential solutions are identified and assessed for likelihood of success and potential adverse consequences.
2.3Continuous improvement options are selected, implemented and the trends are monitored to show improvement in accordance with organisational requirements.
2.4Continuous improvement implementation actions are assessed for effectiveness and to determine if any future actions are required.
2.5Further continuous improvement options are documented and implemented in accordance with organisational requirements.
Replacement information / This unit standard was replaced by unit standard 28949.This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 30 June 2003 / 31 December 2014
Rollover / 2 / 26 January 2007 / 31 December 2017
Review / 3 / 18 June 2015 / 31 December 2017
Rollover / 4 / 21 January 2016 / 31 December 2019
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0022
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the CMR. The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Primary Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101558 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018 / / New Zealand Qualifications Aut