Propose and specify engineering research
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need in order to propose and specify engineering research, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to present your research proposals to the appropriate people, and to monitor the progress of the proposal through the organisational approval process.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for proposing and specifying research activities, and to report any problems that you cannot personally resolve to the relevant authority. You will be expected to work unsupervised, either on your own or as part of a team, which you may lead or direct, taking full responsibility for your actions and, possibly, for the work of colleagues or subordinates.
Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of general and discipline-specific engineering principles and processes that relate to the area of research. You will be fully conversant with organisational procedures and systems, and you will understand the research principles, processes, design, methodology and issues that are specific to your engineering sector or discipline. Your underpinning knowledge will also include methods for resource management, risk analysis and risk assessment, and will be sufficient to enable you to carry out your activities to the required standard.
You will be fully aware of any health, safety and environmental requirements, and the appropriate legislative and regulatory frameworks applicable to your area of responsibility. You will be required to ensure that safe working practices are maintained throughout, and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- comply with organisational procedures for approving research into engineering products or processes
- present clearly the aims and objectives of the research
- present clearly the methodology required to undertake the research
- specify the resources and timescales required to achieve the research
- identify the overall benefits and risks of the research
- identify the sources of funding that might be available
- respond positively to any issues relating to the research proposal
- monitor the progress of the proposal and obtain the results of any decision
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific health, safety and environmental issues that relate to the proposed areas of research
- the types of engineering product, process or activity that may require research
- where to obtain information for the research from within the organisation
- the company policies and procedures that should be considered when preparing a research proposal
- the approval mechanisms for research proposals
- how to present research proposals, and the most appropriate method to use
- the types of information and the level of detail that should be included in research proposals
- the types of issue that can emerge during the assessment of research proposals
- how to identify potential benefits and risks of the research
- the importance of responding to the concerns of others
- the amount of time to allow for research proposals to be approved
- how to monitor the progress of research proposals
- how to obtain information on resources
- the resources that are necessary
- how to assess the availability and suitability of resources
- the extent of your own authority, and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Ensure that the proposed research conforms to company procedures, and covers all of the following:
- aims and objectives or the research
- research methodology
- prioritised schedule
- resources required and timescales
- benefits and risks
- any factors that have an impact on the research methodology
Specify the timescales required, together with the necessary resources, including four of the following:
- materials
- facilities
- personnel
- hardware and/or software
- equipment
- location/site facilities
- monitoring equipment/systems
- contracts
- finances
Take into account three of the following when preparing the research proposal:
- British, European or International standards, directives or codes of practice
- recognised compliance agency/body standards, directives or codes of practice
- organisational guidelines and procedures
- equipment manufactures operating specification/range
- customer standards and requirements
- health, safety and environmental requirements
- other specific standards
Record and communicate research proposals to the appropriate people, using:
- a verbal report
plus one from the following:
2. demonstration
3. computer generated report
4. computer-based presentation
5. simulation or display
6. other appropriate media
Monitor the progress of the research proposal, using one of the following:
- company procedure for research proposals
- informal discussion
- computer tracking
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Additional Information
You will be able to apply the appropriate behaviours required in the workplace to meet the job profile and overall company objectives, such as:
- strong work ethic
- positive attitude
- team player
- dependability
- responsibility
- honesty
- integrity
- motivation
- commitment