ICTTEN507
Cut over new and replacement network equipment


Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to check plans, obtain equipment and supplies, initiate tests and complete administrative tasks.

It applies to individuals who may be field officers, technicians or technical supervisors for carriers, contractors or other service providers, who are involved in fast changeover of new and existing equipment in telecommunications networks, including digital switching and transmission, wireless and optical networks.

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. Plan cut over strategy

1.1 Determine the nature and scope of cut over activity from appropriate personnel

1.2 Prepare a cut over management plan in agreement with appropriate personnel and in line with regulations and service obligations

1.3 Obtain outage management plan if available, otherwise prepare a contingency plan to ensure system integration proceeds according to plan

1.4 Notify alarm management centre of action planned and obtain authority to proceed

1.5 Notify customers affected by the outage of time and likely duration

2. Cut over and test equipment into service

2.1 Perform cut over activities in a safe manner with minimal interruption to service and according to the cut over management plan

2.2 Conduct tests specified in cut over plan, according to technical manuals and specifications

2.3 Record and assess test results and ensure problems identified during cut over are rectified or escalated according to enterprise procedures

2.4 Analyse alarms for fault conditions in conjunction with network management centre

2.5 Enact contingency plans in the event of major problems during cut over

3. Complete administrative tasks

3.1 Complete test result sheets and hand over to operational personnel according to enterprise requirements

3.2 Ensure site is cleaned and ready for operational staff

3.3 Complete work documentation and administrative tasks and forward to appropriate area according to enterprise policy

3.4 Notify appropriate personnel of project completion and obtain sign-off

Evidence of Performance

Evidence of ability to:

develop and implement a cut over plan and an outage plan

develop a contingency plan

apply enterprise escalation and outage procedures

cut over and test network equipment within an industry acceptable time period.

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:

explain electrical and optical properties to be measured

determine appropriate legislation and licensing surrounding installation of telecommunications equipment

summarise power requirements and electrical safety

evaluate types of test equipment and testing procedures suitable for tests to be performed

explain transmission hierarchy and switching principles

outline transmission type and signals that may be encountered.


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 should be typical of those experienced in the telecommunications networks engineering field of work and include access to:

a network and equipment for cut over

equipment currently used in industry

systems manuals, specifications and enterprise policy.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.


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

2.1-2.3, 3.1, 3.3

Identifies, analyses and evaluates equipment specifications, equipment readings and settings

Writing

1.1, 1.3, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3

Prepares written reports and workplace documentation that communicate complex information clearly and effectively

Oral Communication

1.1, 1.2, 1.5

Participates in verbal exchanges with personnel and customers to ensure requirements are properly understood

Employs listening and questioning techniques to confirm understanding

Numeracy

2.3

Uses mathematical formulae to calculate measurements, analyse results and make adjustments to equipment and settings

Navigate the world of work

2.1, 3.2, 3.3

Works independently and collectively within broad parameters, with a strong sense of responsibility and ownership of goals, plans, decisions and outcomes, with specific reference to safe working practices and requirements

Interact with others

1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 3.1, 3.4

Considers purpose and possible actions to take as a result of any work related communication

Selects appropriate communication protocols and conventions in a broad range of work contexts, with a growing awareness of subtle impacts of choices made

Get the work done

1.1, 1.3, 2.2-2.5, 3.3, 3.4

Uses a combination of formal, logical planning processes and an increasingly intuitive understanding of context, to identify relevant logistic requirements, test strategies and resources

Understands key principles and concepts underpinning design and operation of digital systems and tools, and applies these as required

Implements actions according to a predetermined plan, making adjustments if necessary

Makes decisions quickly and intuitively in familiar situations requiring immediate attention, drawing on past experience to identify key variables and determine the best course of action

Uses analytical processes to decide on a course of action, establishing criteria for deciding between options and seeking input and advice from others before taking action when necessary


Sectors

Telecommunications – Telecommunications Networks Engineering