Practical/Project Work and Viva (NSQF Vocational Assessment)
What the domain covers
The practical and project component assesses whether a candidate can perform retail tasks and explain them in a viva. It covers project reports, evidence, demonstrations such as billing or display, safety practice and oral questioning.
Core rules and concepts
- Project report: title, objective, place of study, method, observations or data, calculations, findings and conclusion.
- Evidence: photographs are not a substitute for explanation; keep bills, stock sheets, display plans, customer feedback forms and checklists.
- Practical demonstration: follow the correct sequence, speak clearly, maintain safety and hygiene, and explain each step.
- Viva: answer in your own words; state assumptions; if unsure, say what you would check rather than inventing a figure.
- Calculations: show formula, substitution and result, especially reorder level, break-even, GST bill and cash reconciliation.
- Reflection: state one problem faced and the practical action taken.
Worked example
A project proposes a small grocery outlet. The viva asks why the opening stock budget is ₹12,000 for 120 SKUs. Reason: 120 SKUs × average cost ₹100 = ₹12,000. Add fixtures ₹15,000 and deposit ₹20,000, giving ₹47,000 before working capital. The candidate should explain that stock is not the only cost and that slow-moving SKUs tie up cash. If asked about reorder level, the candidate states the formula and uses the project figures rather than a memorised answer.
Traps that cost marks
Submitting a copied report; presenting figures without assumptions; failing to demonstrate billing or safety steps; giving vague viva answers; having no evidence of customer interaction; being unable to explain a calculation in the report.