ICAS2014B
Connect hardware peripherals

This unit defines the competency required to connect hardware peripherals according to instructions.There may be benefit in concurrent learning with the following unit:ICAU2005B Operate computer hardwareThe following units are linked and form an appropriate cluster:ICAS2008B Maintain inventories for equipment, software and documentationICAS2016B Record client support requirementsICAS2017B Maintain system integrityICAU2005B Operate computer hardwareICAU2007B Maintain equipment and consumablesNo licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Confirm requirements of client

1.1. Identify client peripheral requirements and confirm in accordance with organisational standards

1.2. Document client requirements and peripherals needed in line with organisational standards and report findings to the appropriate person

1.3. Verify client requirements with appropriate person in line with organisational standards and reporting procedures

1.4. Take action to ensure client support expectations are covered by vendor warranty and support services

2. Obtain required peripherals

2.1. Obtain peripherals under instruction from appropriateperson

2.2. Enter peripherals into equipment inventory according to organisational standards

2.3. Validate that contents of delivered components and physical contents match the packing list and resolve discrepancies if necessary

2.4. Store peripherals according to vendor/manual guidelines

3. Connect hardware peripherals

3.1. Verify the timeframe for installation schedule with the client

3.2. Remove old peripherals if they are being replaced with minimal disruption to clients, taking into account environmental considerations and OH&S standards

3.3. Connect new peripherals with minimum disruption to clients, taking into account operating system procedures

3.4. Configure the computer to accept the new peripherals

3.5. Test hardware peripherals and confirm client satisfaction, pay particular attention to possible impact on other systems and make adjustments as required

Required Skills

Required skills

Customer service skills in relation to maintenance procedures

Handling difficult clients skills in relation to maintenance procedures

Conflict resolution skills in relation to maintenance procedures

Decision making in a limited range of options

Literacy for general workplace documentation

Problem solving skills for a defined range of predictable problems

Plain English literacy and communication skills in relation to analysis, evaluation and presentation of information

Facilitation and presentation skills in relation to transferring and collecting information

Negotiation skills in relation to other team members and applied to a defined range of predictable problems

Required knowledge

Broad general knowledge of OH&S procedures for electrical equipment

Detailed knowledge of inventory procedures

Organisational guidelines relating to external suppliers and vendors

General understanding of technical systems

Broad knowledge of operating systems

Broad knowledge of help desk and maintenance practices

Current industry-accepted hardware and software products, with broad knowledge of general features and capabilities and detailed knowledge in some areas

Broad knowledge of input/output devices

Evidence Required

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 the ability to safely connect hardware peripherals according to vendor instructions with a minimum of down time to the system. Competency is required in the connection of five different peripherals. Ability to interpret vendor manuals in relation to the storage and connection of hardware peripherals is demonstrated. OH&S regulations relating to working with electrical equipment are adhered to.

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

Organisation's hardware blueprint

Vendor support staff (on call if assessment is a live activity)

Additional staff if required to support the assessment

Hardware peripherals and workstation

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The breadth, depth and complexity of knowledge and skills in this competency would prepare a person to perform in a range of varied activities or knowledge applications where there is a clearly defined range of contexts in which the choice of actions required is usually clear. There would generally be limited complexity in the range of operations to be applied.

Assessment must ensure:

Performance of a prescribed range of functions involving known routines and procedures and some accountability for the quality of outcomes would be characteristic.

Applications may include some complex or non-routine activities involving individual responsibility or autonomy and/or collaboration with others as part of a group or team.

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:

ICAS2008B Maintain inventories for equipment, software and documentation

ICAS2016B Record client support requirements

ICAS2017B Maintain system integrity

ICAU2005B Operate computer hardware

ICAU2007B Maintain equipment and consumables

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate basic operational knowledge in a moderate range of areas

Apply a defined range of skills

Apply known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems

Perform a range of tasks where choice between a limited range of options is required

Assess and record information from varied sources

Take limited responsibility for own outputs in work and learning

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services


Range Statement

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.

Peripherals may include but are not limited to:

Printers, scanners, tape cartridges

Speakers, multimedia kits

Personal computer, modems

Input equipment may include mouse, touch pad, keyboard, pens

Mobile phones, palmtops and personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops, and desktop computers

Bluetooth devices, universal serial bus (USB), Firewire (IEEE 1394)

Organisationalstandards may include but are not limited to:

personal use of emails and internet access

content of emails

downloading information and accessing particular websites

opening mail with attachments

virus risk (MS windows OS and Mac OS only)

dispute resolution

document procedures and templates

communication methods

financial control mechanisms

Appropriate person may include:

supervisor

teacher

authorised business representative

client

Operating system may include:

Win 98/ME/2000/XP

Sun Solaris/SunOS

HP-UX

AIX

Silicon Graphics IRIX, DEC VMS

Mac OS X

Linux

NetWare

Client may include but is not limited to:

internal departments

external organisations

individual people

employees

Equipment may include but is not limited to:

workstations

personal computers

modems or other connectivity devices

printers

hard drives

monitors

switches

hubs

personal digital assistant (PDA)

other peripheral devices

OH&S standards may include:

correct posture

lighting

type of desk

type of monitor

style of chair

typing position

repetitive strain injury prevention

ventilation

light position

correct lifting method

length of time in front of computer

Environmental considerations may include:

disposal of packaging (e.g. cardboard, polystyrene, paper, plastic)

redundant hardware (e.g. hard drives, circuit boards)


Sectors

Unit sector

Support


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Refer to Unit Descriptor