The unit is relevant to technical managers, supervising technicians, project managers, consultants or contractors in organisations conducting network design or construction to deploy or convert to internet protocol (IP) based technologies.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Evaluate design requirements

1.1. Consult relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards that impact on the project

1.2. Determine need for enhancement to new or existing telecommunications network from telecommunications project plan and associated project brief

1.3. Determine specific purpose and type of network growthand enhancement using collated data from other relevant sources

1.4. Consult customer regarding enterprise criteria and determine timeframe for design plan

1.5. Establish and organise design resource requirements

2. Evaluate information to prepare design drawings

2.1. Obtain site access through consultation with affected property owners where project impacts on private property

2.2. Collect field data and propose ways to manage physical impediments that may affect building construction work

2.3. Verify existing equipment, equipment layouts and building services to plan for network growth

2.4. Ascertain the impact of relevant heritage, environmental and other governmental legislation and initiate action or organise consultative processes to gain approvals according to enterprise policy

2.5. Prepare design drawing according to enterprise requirements

3. Select design option

3.1. Analyse proposed network needs to determine a set of realistic design options

3.2. Evaluate and select preferred design option according to approved enterprise criteria and discuss selected option with customer

3.3. Assess system compatibility and make modifications to design

4. Prepare design plan

4.1. Prepare detailed design plan including relevant geographical and topological information, equipment and material and cost estimates

4.2. Discuss final designs with planners and project management and obtain approval to proceed

4.3. Produce final detailed design brief with drawings, material requirements and testing and maintenance plans for operational staff to follow

Required skills

analytical skills to compare and evaluate effective technical solutions of new and emerging technologies of NGN

communication skills to:

negotiate approvals and contract arrangements with suppliers and contractors

liaise with customers to ensure requirements are known and can be met within timeframes

literacy skills to:

interpret technical specifications and related documentation

document technical requirements and procedures

numeracy skills to:

determine workforce requirements

analyse and confirm capacity requirements

calculate budget requirements and limitations

organisational skills to arrange relevant documentation and approvals

planning and organisational skills to:

set out project requirements and priorities

make site access and equipment delivery arrangements

problem solving skills to account for unexpected variations to requirements

research skills to gain and maintain relevant and current technical product knowledge

technical skills to plan NGNs

Required knowledge

common customer telecommunications applications and related equipment

connections to carrier infrastructure or equipment

cost-effective solutions in planning

current legislation relating to installation of telecommunications equipment and connection to carrier services

customer premises equipment

environmental impacts and options for green ICT installations

network and transmission equipment

network topologies, interface and interconnection solutions

occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements for:

electrical safety

materials handling

physical hazards:

confined spaces

heights

lifting

power requirements and electrical safety

technology of NGN

test equipment types

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 ability to:

prepare a design brief for building and equipment design provisioning

analyse network and enterprise needs to determine design options

prepare detailed design documentation to enable realisation of design.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

sites on which projects may be designed

relevant databases, legislative requirements and other site and project related documentation.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate undertaking design tasks

review of drawings, plans and specifications prepared by the candidate

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the design process

a completed design brief for a project.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTPMG6033A Develop a project management plan.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

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.

Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:

Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) technical standards

Australian building codes and regulations

environmental protection

fire regulations

heritage legislation

industrial relations awards and agreements

International Standards ISO 9000 and 9001

International Telecommunications Union (ITU) recommendations

local government

OHS

Privacy Act

Spectrum Management Authority

Telecommunications Act and Telecommunications National Codes.

Telecommunications network may include:

NGN delivery:

broadband access

data transfer

internet protocol TV (IPTV)

mobile data

mobile telephony

multimedia

video

voice over IP (VoIP)

radio:

fixed

mobile

satellite

switching

transmission

video.

Network growth and enhancement may refer to:

access

broadband

IP

radio:

fixed

mobile

satellite

switch

transmission path.

Data may include:

abutting enterprise development plans

enterprise databases

existing enterprise cable designs and plans

interviews with field-based colleagues and organisations.

Enterprise criteria may include:

enterprise business strategy outcomes

enterprise service policy

information systems

planned project outcomes.

Resource requirements may include:

design personnel

finance

material

tools

vehicles.

Field data may include:

building inspections

inspection

maps

plans

site surveys.

Building services may include:

air conditioning

cable access

earthing

lighting

power

racking.

Heritage, environmental and other governmental legislation may require contact with:

federal agencies

local councils

local residents

other service providers

property owners

state agencies.

Enterprise policy may include:

cost

customer demand

equipment and system upgrades

future maintenance

modification

resource requirements

time.

Design drawing may include:

existing and proposed layout

facilities route

physical placement of equipment.

Network needs may include:

conditions and planned needs

existing network

heeding legislative and other barriers.

Design options may relate to:

customer service

economics

equipment

labour

material

network integrity

preferred technologies

time

timing.

Geographical and topological information may include:

access

dams

fences

hazards

location of:

other services

plant

potential hazards

potential soil erosion areas

survey marks.

Equipment and material

antenna

cable support materials

cabling and terminating equipment and tools

ducting

frame and superstructure equipment

hand and power tools

mechanical aids

power:

cables

connectors

racking

radio equipment

structure

switching and transmission gear

test equipment

tower

wave guide.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Project management

This unit contains employability skills.