ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Determine context of business need or problem

1.1. Establish the business problem to be investigated including determination of system boundaries, scope and the development methodology to be used

1.2. Choose information gathering method and develop questions appropriate to business problem

1.3. Develop objectives and identify expected outcomes to be achieved

1.4. Document the business problem

1.5. Submit documentation to appropriate person for substantiation

2. Gather information

2.1. Use chosen information gathering method to identify clients of the system and problems they encounter

2.2. Record client responses

2.3. Analyse gathered information to identify new systemrequirements and establish problem specifications

2.4. Document system requirements and problems

2.5. Analyse physical requirements and identify changes required to implement new systems

3. Confirm system specifications

3.1. Check documentation to ensure it meets client business needs

3.2. Submit documentation to the client for verification of accuracy and approval

3.3. Make changes to the documentation as necessary as indicated by the client

3.4. Submit documentation to client for final approval/sign-off

Required skills

Problem solving skills for a defined range of unpredictable problems involving participation in the development of strategic initiatives

Communication skills in relation to analysis, evaluation and presentation of information (e.g. when questionnaires or material needed for workshops and interviews are developed and trialled)

Teamwork skills involving the contribution to solutions

Group facilitation and presentation skills in relation to transferring and collecting information and gaining consensus

Research skills for specifying, analysing and evaluating broad features of a particular business domain

Required knowledge

Detailed knowledge of the client business area

Broad knowledge of data gathering techniques

Software products related to data capture

Features and capabilities, with detailed knowledge in areas related to the client

Broad knowledge of the role of stakeholders and the degree of stakeholder involvement

Detailed knowledge of the organisation's current functionality

Physical requirements of the client's business, taking into account current system functionality, geography, environment, client user and cost constraints

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:

Assessment must confirm sufficient knowledge of investigation, interview and documentation techniques, and the ability to produce a clear statement of business expectations and needs, including critical business requirements.

To demonstrate competency in this unit the following resources will be needed:

Business current needs

A client expectations brief

Business objectives

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Determining and confirming client business needs is essential if cost, quality and timelines are to be planned accurately.

The breadth, depth and complexity of knowledge and skills in this competency would cover a broad range of varied activities or application in a wider variety of contexts most of which are complex and non-routine. Leadership and guidance would be involved when organising activities of self and others as well as contributing to technical solutions of a non-routine or contingency nature.

Assessment must ensure:

Performance of a broad range of skilled applications including the requirement to evaluate and analyse current practices, develop new criteria and procedures for performing current practices and provision of some leadership and guidance to others in the application and planning of the skills would be characteristic.

Applications may involve responsibility for, and limited organisation of, others.

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 to 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.

Guidance information for assessment

The interdependence of units for assessment purposes may vary with the particular project or scenario.

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

ICAA4047B Determine project specifications and secure client agreement

ICAD4043B Develop and present a feasibility report

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of a broad knowledge base incorporating some theoretical concepts

Apply solutions to a defined range of unpredictable problems

Identify and apply skill and knowledge areas to a wide variety of contexts, with depth in some areas

Identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources

Take responsibility for own outputs in relation to specified quality standards

Take limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

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.

Problem may be in reference to:

business

system

network

people in the organisation; there may be a business need or opportunity that must be addressed

System may include but is not limited to:

network equipment

cabling infrastructure

software

business

computers

financial system

management system

information system

Information gathering method may include but is not limited to:

interviews

questionnaires

surveys

focus groups or observation

physical site surveys

vendor offerings

Client may include but is not limited to:

internal departments

external organisations

customers

individual people

employees

Documentation may include:

ISO/IEC/IEEE/IETF/AS standards

audit trails

naming standards

version control

project management templates

report writing principles

Appropriate person may include:

a supervisor

teacher

authorised business representative

client

System requirements may include but is not limited to:

system functionality

geography

environment

client user

cost constraints

Unit sector

Analyse and Design

This unit contains employability skills.