what we do

Thanks for dropping by. Ability Associates is a boutique project management, capability development and content management services company run by well known business innovator Dennis Trevarthen.

Project Management
Our principal consultant Dennis Trevarthen consults to industry, and develops and teaches project management skills at both Swinburne University and The Australian Institute of Management. Dennis has major project experience with government and major corporates, and with both PMBOK and PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification is available to assist your organisation with project design and/or help resolve existing project dilemmas.

Training & Capability Development Services
Ability Associates have extensive experience in the strategic design and management of training programs for government and major organisations. We specialise in identifying and linking workplace capability requirements with suitable design and delivery. Our experience covers national and international work within the property, mining, information technology, telecommunications and finance industries.

ICT Content Management
We work with you as a partner in creating communications visibilty for you data and content, managing and structuring your published information and keeping your cyber presence relevant and dynamic.

Ability Associates can also design a great web site for you, but better still, can make it interactive, build communities of interest, sell your products and services online and publish rich media. We focus on not just keeping you online and on the move, but building your presence through strategy, so that you can get on with whatever you do best.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 03 January 2012 )
 
project news

April 2013...

National Review of Leadership and Management Standards and Qualifications

Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) has engaged Ability Associates Australia Pty Ltd to undertake a national review of the leadership and management standards and qualifications. This will address current and emerging industry requirements, and the recommendations identified and articulated in the Leadership and Management Scoping Report, which is located here . 

IBSA is seeking feedback from stakeholders and Dennis will be undertaking national consultation in May and June 2013. If you are involved in the implementation and delivery of any of the following qualifications you are most welcome to contribute to this review:

•  BSB40812 Certificate IV in Frontline Management
•  BSB51107 Diploma of Management
•  BSB60407 Advanced Diploma of Management
•  BSB60907 Advanced Diploma of Management (Human Resources) 

Treasury Wine Estates (Former wine industry portfolio of the Foster's Group, ASX listed)

Completed consulting on strategy and resource implementation for new performance and behaviour's skill set for global implementation. 

Ability Associates Newsletter Aug/Sept 2012

The Ability Associates Aug/Sept 2012 Newsletter is now available online, topics cover: Project Management Review, SFIA, Facilitation Update, Tablets in Training.

Recent feedback from AIM students doing the 3 day Applied Project Management program

Students doing the February AIM program were kind enough to leave these comments:

"Dennis, by far, was the best thing about the course. His knowledge, and his application of the subject, made the course thoroughly enjoyable. I would HIGHLY recommend the course based on having been taught by him. Equally, the resources are fantastic and will assist with the assessments and future planning in the workplace."

"Fantastic facilitator, probably the best I've had in all my AIM course experiences. Thank you very much. Definitely need the food to be provided on such courses so time is not wasted and further collaboration between the attendees can continue." 

"Excellent facilitator, with engaging skills making the content that bit more exciting. Dennis was thorough and gave great examples and was very professional and personable." 

Review of National Project Management Standards and Qualifications

Dennis has completed (Oct 2012) a national (Australian) review of the standards and qualifications for Project Management under contract to IBSA (Innovation and Business Skills Australia).  The project has involved extensive national industry and stakeholder consultation across a range of issues. The pre-existing project management qualifications were:

• BSB41507 Certificate IV in Project Management
• BSB51407 Diploma of Project Management
• BSB60707 Advanced Diploma of Project Management.

New and re-written units of competency and new qualifications are ready for national endorsement at Certificate IV and Diploma levels. 

The project management sector has been identified as one of critical interest and concern across all industries, and the project sought to gauge the currency of existing units of competency and qualifications, and recommended revisions and alternative approaches. New qualifications should be introduced in the first quarter, 2013. Contact Dennis on 0419 359 829 for further information. 

Downer EDI Works (from April 2011...) POSTPONED

Developing comprehensive and case based training resources in the area of project cost management, aligned with both Downer EDI's Project Management Methodology and the JD Edwards ERP Matrix system. Key alignment with the Integrated Management System incorporating management standards and operating procedures. Note: This project has been postponed late April due to corporate re organisation at Downer.

CenITex : Victorian State Government WoG IT Shared Services (Aug - Dec 2010)

Three month project with CenITex, 80 Collins St Melbourne, preparing an enterprise based IT Skills Capability Framework. CenITex employ over 600 IT professionals, and deliver whole of Government IT services. Worked with a range of indices in order to prepare a cohesive mapping of enterprise functions, position profiles aligned with both ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) and the SFIA (Skills Framework for the Information Age) frameworks. Ability Associates is an approved direct supplier with CenITex.

Department of Transport, Victoria: Project Management Framework

On consignment through the Australian Institute of Management, Dennis has been working closely with the Victorian Department of Transport in the implementation of the Department's Project Management Framework.

This has included to date: 

  • Alignment of the Diploma of Project Management courseware with the Department's Framework.
  • Facilitating a selected group of 16 staff through the Diploma program
  • Updating courseware for the PMF Basics program, a one day introduction to project management within the Department.
  • Facilitating a number of one day PMF Basics programs for department staff.
  • Designing and developing the 'Stakeholder Engagement' special skills program. 
  • Designing and developing the 'Risk Management' special skills program

South East Water Ltd: Diploma of Project Management
Ability Associates have been retained by Swinburne University to deliver the in-house Diploma of Project Management for 12 new project managers within SEWL, Moorabbin Victoria. This inhouse program runs over Tuesday evenings with some Saturday's, from JUne until November 2011. 

This follows similar engagements in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

Design of Australian Institute of Management Project Management Courseware
Dennis has completed the re write of the entire suite of courseware in project management for AIM National.

This covered the following programs:
2 Day Project Management Fundamentals
3 Day Applied Project Management
Diploma of Project Management

The work covered participant course manuals, facilitator guides, slide presentations and asessment instruments. The new courseware is practical and action based, making extensive use of case studies and participant involvement based on their own project experience. Completed in early January 2010 and now being implemented Australia wide.

National Review of Financial Services Training Package (FNS10)
Ability Associates signed an agreement with Andre Lewis and Associates to work with IBSA (Innovation & Business Skills Australia) to review the national training package for the Financial Services Industry. The revised package has been submitted for national endorsment in May 2010.

Dennis worked extensively with the Insurance, Personal Injury Management, Conveyancing and Superannuation sectors. 

Full Industry sectors within the package cover:

  • Banks and Financial Markets
  • Accounting & Bookkeeping
  • Superannuation & Workers Compensation
  • Financial Planning
  • Insurance
  • Regulatory Agencies
  • Conveyancing

Further information: IBSA Projects

Diploma of Management
Recently completed development of comprehensive resource materials based on the National BSB07 Qualification 'Diploma of Management'.
These included: Learner Guide, Learner Case Studies/Activities, Facilitators Guide, Session Plan(s), Powerpoint Slide Package(s)
The national units of competency completed to date are:
BSBMGT515A - Manage Operational Plan
BSBRSK501A - Manage Risk
BSBPMG510A - Manage Projects
BSBINM501A - Manage an information or knowledge management system

Project Management Assignments
Recent consulting/training assignments through Swinburne Institute and the Australian Institute of Management have included:

UGL Limited (Vic, ACT & NSW)
Department of Transport, Victoria
Tyco Flow Controls, Queensland
South East Water Ltd, Melbourne
National Galley of Victoria
CSL Ltd - Bio Technology, Melbourne
Svitzer - Marine Engineers, Sydney
Tupperware - Direct, Melbourne
Australia Health Service Alliance - Melbourne
Transurban - Toll Way Systems, Melbourne
Quicksilver - Clothing Retail, Torquay
Ausmart - Retail Equipment, Melbourne
Iluka Mining - Hamilton, Vic
Gordon Institute - Vocational Training, Geelong

BHP Billiton MINEX (Minerals Exploration) Safety Management Systems
Dennis was recently invited to assist BHP Billiton with design of a browser based DVD to publish Safety Management System data. A web browser based innovative user interface that enable easy access to an extensive document set was created. In August 08 Version 1.0 was released to the global user base to excellent feedback.

Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
Ability Associates has recently completed a consulting assignment with ACMA through CITT looking at workplace competency requirements for field services personnel.

Swinburne University - Project Management
Our principal Dennis Trevarthen renewed an agreement with Swinburne Industry Solutions in January 2008 to provide training services in project management on a consulting basis. Dennis is currently responsible for the two day intensive 'Overview in Project Management' which is provided to both public and corporate clients of the University. Dennis also provides assessment services for the Diploma in Project Management.

Recent clients include: CSL Group, Iluka Mining, Ausmart, VTAC, Department of Justice, KAZ Technology

Australian Institute of Management
In November 2007, Ability Associates and Dennis were approved to provide training and consulting services in training, information technology and project management with the Victorian Division of the Australian Institute of Management. Project work commenced in early 2008, including an ongoing six months training/consulting role with a major global direct selling company.

PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification
Principal Dennis Trevarthen has successfully completed the PRINCE2 Practitioner requirements and is now a registered and certified PRINCE2 Practitioner with global recognition. This follows successfully completion of the PRINCE2 Foundation training and exam in November 2007. PRINCE2 is the preferred project management methodology for IT, corporate and Government projects, used in over 60 countries. It is a highly structured and defined methodology designed to ensure successful project outcomes. Whilst it can be applied to small scale projects, it is usually applied in large scale mission critical projects.

NH Architecture (Architects)
Web redesign, CMS (Joomla!) implementation for major Melbourne based architectural / urban design firm with Australian and international projects. Successful handover completed in January 2008. Ability Associates now support the active web site with an ongoing maintenance and support agreement. Visit: www.nharchitecture.net

NH Webb Interior Design
Web design and CMS implemention. Melbourne based major interior design group now in association with NH Architecture. Completed November 2007. www.nhwebb.net

Moyyan House By The Sea - Vanuatu
Web presence and online reservation system (custom CMS implementation) Completed July 2007. www.moyyan.com

BHP Minerals and Exploration (Minerals Exploration)
Global Orientation support disk for DVD distribution. This is a web application on disk using some advanced navigation tools, with graphic design by Di Marca in South Melbourne. Disk distribution was chosen over internet/intranet delivery as many field employees are without regular or reliable access in remote locations. Completed April 2008.

Salty Dog Blues N Roots Podcast
Media production, internet marketing and music journalism. Ongoing. www.salty.com.au Recently reviewed in Melbourne's AGE newspaper. Read more here . 30,000 monthly listeners and growing each week.

More updates monthly.

 
Last Updated ( Friday, 19 April 2013 )
 
More...

Ability Associates Australia: Project Management, Content Management Systems, Training | home
blog
Recent