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: 

Commission publishing project components 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
246526  Commission publishing project components 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Publishing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language Communication Studies 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  15 
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 Unit Standard is aimed at learners in the publishing sector of South Africa. The purpose of learning is to be able to commission the components (i.e. services and products) required for the completion of publishing projects, and can prevent and resolve conflict that may hamper completion. Commissioning is an important component on the publishing process. Credited learners are able to ensure that the required administration takes place, authors remain informed, and manuscripts are reviewed as required to ensure quality outputs.

Commissioning is a generic competence that can be applied within the procurement process of any field. Competence contributes to publication quality and ensures good working relationships with publishing suppliers and authors. Effective commissioning improves the overall quality of products by ensuring that publishing products meet internal and external client and, ultimately, reader expectations.

Credited learners are capable of:
  • Administering commissioning processes according to given publishing plans.
  • Communicating and confirming book plans with authors.
  • Monitoring commissioned work progress against agreed project specifications.
  • Coordinating the review of manuscripts. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credits and level assigned to this unit standard is based on the assumption that learners have already attained the following competencies:
  • Communication and Language (NQF Level 4).
  • Computer Literacy (NQF Level 3). 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    All outcomes for this unit standard must be achieved within the parameters of a given project. Commissioning can include various services and products, such as indexes, illustrations, cover designs, authors, etc. Range statements are included with the relevant specific outcomes and assessment criteria where appropriate. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Administer commissioning processes according to given publishing plans. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Project strategy, aim, priorities and objectives are described in terms of their impact on commissioning for specific projects. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Objectives include financial objectives.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Possible contributors/authors/developers/suppliers are identified that are able to achieve specific publishing project requirements and that match specific project ideas. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Publishing project requirements refer to the contributions required by given publishing plans.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Possible contributors are contacted according to specified organisation procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Commissioning is coordinated within agreed schedules and with all relevant team members. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The nature and aim of the publisher, and roles and responsibilities are accurately described and communicated during commissioning processes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    All documents relevant to commissioning are prepared in accordance with approved publishing proposals and specified organisation procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Communicate and confirm book plans with authors. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Book plans include at least budgets, schedules and book specifications (e.g. length, volume, size, etc.). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Project strategy, aim, priorities and objectives are described in terms of their impact on authoring for specific projects. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Objectives include financial objectives.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Agendas for workshops/commissioning meetings are drawn up to include all matters requiring discussion and decisions, and agenda approval is obtained from all relevant persons prior to meetings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Responsibilities and processes for creating and revising products are agreed with authors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Notes of decisions and actions flowing from workshops/commissioning meetings are taken accurately, in specified formats and according to organisation procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Decisions and parameters are documented according to organisation procedures and circulated to all relevant persons in specified formats. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    All given book plan requirements are met. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Requirements include the nature, style, format and purpose of materials, and relevant deadlines.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Monitor commissioned work progress against agreed project specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Monitoring employs all specified templates and criteria according to organisational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Contingencies are identified to ensure the achievement of project specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Contingencies would hamper achievement of project goals if allowed to continue unchecked.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The possible effects of contingencies are evaluated against the project specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Alternative scenarios are drafted to solve critical disruptions in schedules, and best solutions are selected in terms of given project specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Feasible contingency plans are prepared, if budget and time frames are not met, and submitted to all relevant persons for approval. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Remedial action is taken to resolve any problems, according to specified organisational procedures and within own scope of responsibility. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Recommendations are made that will improve future commissioning. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Strategies to resolve conflict are selected based on appropriateness for specific conflict situations, and actions taken to prevent or resolve conflict adhere to organisation policy and procedure requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Coordinate the review of manuscripts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Criteria for the review process are identified based on all relevant project specifications and book plans. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Possible reviewers are identified that are relevant to specific publishing projects. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Reviewers can be internal or external to an organisation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Briefs for the review processes are drawn-up in line with project proposals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Reviews are completed within agreed time frames and budgets. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Viability of reviews is assessed based on organisational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Actions following from reviews are communicated to all relevant persons. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Recommendations are made that will improve future reviews. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Assessment of learner achievements takes place at providers accredited by a relevant ETQA (RSA, 1998b) for the provision of programs that result in the outcomes specified for this unit standard.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with a relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with a relevant ETQA.
  • The relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures will oversee moderation of assessment and is responsible for moderation of learner achievements of learners who meet the requirements of this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Credited learners understand and can explain:
  • The publishing environment.
  • The publishing value chain.
  • Presentation formats.
  • Commissioning processes and organisation procedures.
  • Publishing and book plans/planning.
  • Project strategy, aim, priorities and objectives and their impact on commissioning.
  • The nature and aim of the publisher, and roles and responsibilities.
  • Agendas for workshops/commissioning meetings.
  • Responsibilities and processes for creating and revising products.
  • Contingencies, possible effects of contingencies and contingency plans.
  • Criteria for manuscript review, and viability of reviews.
  • Conflict management principles and techniques. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems where responses to problems show that such critical and creative thinking has been used to make responsible decisions when possible contributors/authors/developers/suppliers are identified that are able to achieve specific publishing project requirements and that match specific project ideas, alternative scenarios are drafted to solve critical disruptions in schedules, best solutions are selected in terms of given project specifications, and remedial action is taken to resolve any problems, according to specified organisational procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community when commissioning is coordinated with all relevant team members, and responsibilities and processes for creating and revising products are agreed with authors. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when commissioning is coordinated within agreed schedules, agenda approval is obtained from all relevant persons prior to meetings, and reviews are completed within agreed time frames and budgets. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information when agendas for workshops/commissioning meetings are drawn up to include all matters requiring discussion and decisions, criteria for the review process are identified based on all relevant project specifications and book plans, and viability of reviews is assessed based on organisational requirements. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematic and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation to communicate and confirm book plans with authors, and when possible contributors are contacted according to specified organisation procedures, the nature and aim of the publisher, and roles and responsibilities are accurately communicated during commissioning processes, all documents relevant to commissioning are prepared in accordance with approved publishing proposals and specified organisation procedures, and actions following from reviews are communicated to all relevant persons. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when notes of decisions and actions flowing from workshops/commissioning meetings are taken accurately, in specified formats and according to organisation procedures, and monitoring employs all specified templates and criteria according to organisational procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when project strategy, aim, priorities and objectives are described in terms of their impact on commissioning and authoring for specific projects for specific projects, the possible effects of contingencies are evaluated against the project specifications, recommendations are made that will improve future commissioning and manuscript reviews, possible reviewers are identified that are relevant to specific publishing projects, and briefs for the review processes are drawn-up in line with project proposals. 

    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 
    Notes to Assessors:

    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the learner is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the learner can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  58977   National Certificate: Publishing  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2015-06-30  FPMSETA 


    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.