The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

Competency is demonstrated by accessing and analysing relevant information on changes to technology and resources; analysing strategic plans to determine future technology needs; monitoring resource utilisation and cost efficiency and effectiveness of technology.

To demonstrate competency in this unit the learner will require access to::

Detailed information relating to business strategic plan

Budget constraints

A timeframe for the strategic plan

Business objectives

Business risks

Information on a range of IT business solutions

The learner will need access to the outcomes of the business analysis process

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Information Technology provides critical infrastructure and support for commercial and business objectives in organisations and together with communications processes are key success factors in the development of corporate strategies.

The breadth, depth and complexity covering planning and initiation of alternative approaches to skills or knowledge applications across a broad range of technical and/or management requirements, evaluation and coordination would be characteristic.

Assessment must ensure:

self-directed application of knowledge and skills, with substantial depth in some areas where judgement is required in planning and selecting appropriate equipment, services and techniques for self and others.

Applications involve participation in development of strategic initiatives as well as personal responsibility and autonomy in performing complex technical operations or organising others. It may include participation in teams including teams concerned with planning and evaluation functions. Group or team coordination may also be involved.

Method of assessment

The purpose of this unit is to define the standard of performance to be achieved in the workplace. In undertaking training and assessment activities related to this unit, consideration should be given to the implementation of appropriate diversity and accessibility practices in order to accommodate people who may have special needs. Additional guidance on these and related matters is provided in ICA05 Section 1.

Competency in this unit should be assessed using summative assessment to ensure consistency of performance in a range of contexts. This unit can be assessed either in the workplace or in a simulated environment. However, simulated activities must closely reflect the workplace to enable full demonstration of competency.

Assessment will usually include observation of real or simulated work processes and procedures and/or performance in a project context as well as questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills. The questioning of team members, supervisors, subordinates, peers and clients where appropriate may provide valuable input to the assessment process. The interdependence of units for assessment purposes may vary with the particular project or scenario.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICAP5036B Determine appropriate IT strategies and solutions

ICAA5151B Gather data to identify business requirements

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of a broad knowledge base incorporating theoretical concepts, with substantial depth in some areas

Analyse and plan approaches to technical problems or management requirements

Transfer and apply theoretical concepts and/or technical or creative skills to a range of situations

Evaluate information, using it to forecast for planning or research purposes

Take responsibility for own outputs in relation to broad quantity and quality parameters

Take some responsibility for the achievement of group outcomes

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

Required skills

Negotiation skills in relation to planning and selecting appropriate equipment and services for self and others, such as when planning for client support service delivery within quality, time and cost parameters

Evaluation and report writing skills involving analysis for evaluating IT changes, documenting recommendations and developing action plans

Evaluation skills to determine possible IT client support gaps

Broad strategic planning skills in relation to current operational practices and future requirements and the implications of introducing IT changes

Planning and analysis skills for reviewing objectives and performance measures

Time management skills in relation to planning the management of client support services

Organising and presenting information in relation to business report writing requirements

Required knowledge

Broad knowledge of technology and product directions for evaluating and forecasting vendor and technology trends

Analysis and planning approaches to technical problems or management requirements, taking into account the hardware platform used by the organisation, and network and security guidelines

Broad knowledge for evaluating current system functionality to forecast for planning

Broad knowledge for evaluating internal and external operating environments

Broad knowledge for evaluating the operating systems supported by the organisation to forecast for planning

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Appropriate person may include:

supervisor

teacher

authorised business representative

client