Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish the standards associated with information technology and communications technology (ICT) technical requirements, in the context of quality assurance processes applicable to software development.
It applies to staff in the software development area who are required to ensure that the software development process incorporates quality considerations.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Review the software standards | 1.1 Ensure that stakeholders have an understanding of organisational requirements 1.2 Document the software standards, according to project standards |
2. Review the implementation standards | 2.1 Assign the software standards to functions, according to a detailed technical plan 2.2 Take action to ensure that the communication and distribution strategies are clear, coherent, and meet the overall project plan requirements 2.3 Monitor and report on the implementation of standards against the acceptance criteria and detailed technical specifications |
3. Review the software metrics and milestones | 3.1 Define metrics related to the project milestones, timeframe, and cost considerations 3.2 Develop a schedule of quality reviews 3.3 Determine quality considerations by identifying in-process measurement points that relate to critical organisational requirements 3.4 Determine a method to benchmark and scale achievement against stated stakeholder requirements and cost considerations 3.5 Report metrics and milestones to stakeholders in a clear and coherent manner, and take action to ensure the written agreement |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
review the software standards, including:
ensuring that stakeholders have an understanding of organisational requirements
documenting software standards according to project standards
review the implementation standards, including:
assigning software standards to functions, according to the technical plan
ensuring that communication and distribution strategies are clear, coherent, and meet requirements
monitoring and reporting on the implementation of standards
review software metrics and milestones, including:
defining metrics
developing a schedule of quality reviews
determining quality considerations by identifying the in-process measurement points
determining a method to benchmark and scale achievement
reporting the metrics and milestones to stakeholders
ensuring the written agreement is met.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
identify and explain current industry-accepted software configuration management processes
identify and explain quality assurance practices and standards
explain software metrics development
identify and describe the client business domain.
Assessment Conditions
Gather evidence to demonstrate consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the programming and software development industry, and include access to the:
technical specifications
organisational standards, for documentation and version control
project management process, and hierarchy
organisational business processes
software requirement specifications
interface requirement specifications
system requirements
design specifications
validated data
project budget and timeframe.
Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Reading | 1.1, 1.2 | Interprets and critically analyses, and applies the appropriate strategies, to construct meaning from complex texts relating to organisational requirements and project standards |
Writing | 1.2, 2.3, 3.5 | Displays a knowledge of structure and layout, employing a broad vocabulary, grammatical structure and the conventions appropriate to text, when documenting standards and reporting on implementation, metrics, and milestones |
Numeracy | 3.1 | Selects from, and applies, an expanding range of mathematical and problem-solving strategies, in the context of metrics and cost considerations |
Interact with others | 1.1 | Recognises the importance of taking audience, purpose and contextual factors into account, when making decisions about what to communicate, with whom, why and how, in relation to ensuring stakeholder understanding of organisational requirements |
Get the work done | 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 | Sequences and schedules complex activities, monitors implementation, and manages relevant communication in relation to quality reviews Uses systematic, analytical processes in complex, non-routine situations, setting goals, gathering relevant information and identifying, and evaluating, options against the agreed criteria Uses analytical processes to decide on a course of action, establishing the criteria for deciding between options Uses familiar digital systems and tools to access, organise, analyse and display information relevant to own role |
Sectors
Programming and software development