Network engineering staff or senior technical officers with appropriate project management roles and authority to direct the activities of installation staff, manufacturers and vendors apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.

This unit applies to service provider network infrastructure implementing new applications layer solutions.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Develop application layer solutions

1.1. Produce the requirements for applications layer solutions for delivery of new applications layer solutions to customers using forecasting demand data

1.2. Prepare a plan for an organisational change control process and the integration of new solutions within a complete network infrastructure

1.3. Produce a test management schedule for the testing process of the application product

1.4. Translate complex design and architecture requirements to traceable application characteristics according to design requirements

1.5. Develop application architecture solution specifications using an industry process according to design requirements

1.6. Develop application software resource profiling and select suitable vendor for negotiations

1.7. Translate complex requirements into software packaging

1.8. Produce software deployment mapping and version control to ensure complete integration and compatibility of application solution to existing system

1.9. Complete configuration management and provide complex input network design requirements

2. Analyse test results of application layer solutions

2.1. Use design document and integration document software to replicate issues exhibited in test environment

2.2. Certify software solution compatibility and compliance to requirements using a web-based test management tool (quality centre) to conduct performance evaluation tests

2.3. Analyse test reports to evaluate load balancing and network security issues in test environment

2.4. Resolve complex issues in interface to isolate defects

3. Manage deployment of application layer solutions

3.1. Plan and prepare evidence for customer acceptance and certification

3.2. Plan and manage transition to operation activities required for transition to operation of integrated application layer solution

3.3. Prepare an installation failures procedure to make changes whilst maintaining service levels

3.4. Manage change implementation plan to maintain system stability

4. Maintain currency of application layer solutions

4.1. Manage ongoing monitoring activities to prolong new applications layer solution life cycle for cost-effective business reasons

4.2. Produce tuning activities to make efficient use of resources

4.3. Analyse the current demands for resources for deriving forecasts and future requirements

4.4. Produce a capacity plan predicting the infrastructure resources needed to achieve agreed service levels

Required skills

analytical skills to evaluate test results of application layer solutions

communication skills to:

interact with enterprise personnel, customers and other contractors, while maintaining a customer focus and consideration of customer needs

liaise with internal and external personnel on technical and operational matters

literacy skills to:

prepare reports given a specific format

read and interpret technical documentation, software and hardware manuals, specifications and relevant enterprise policy

numeracy skills to take and analyse measurements

PC skills to use a word processor to translate enterprise and technology issues into system requirements

planning and organisational skills to:

manage and prioritise own work

organise testing and deployment of application layer solutions

problem solving skills to resolve logistics problems

safety awareness skills to follow all related occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices

task management skills to work systematically with required attention to detail and adherence to project requirements

technical skills to:

develop application architecture solution specifications

manage deployment of application layer solutions

manage transition to operation activities

provide complex input network design requirements

Required knowledge

installation failure procedures

legislation, codes of practice and other formal agreements that directly impact on activity

manage change

new applications layer solutions

software and hardware resources

specific OHS requirements that impact on activity in terms of safety of self and public safety

system integration techniques

test management scheduling

tuning activities to maintain currency

use of forecasting demand data

use of test management tools

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:

produce a test management schedule for the testing process of the application product

develop application architecture solution specifications using an industry process

produce software deployment mapping and version control

analyse test results of application layer solutions

prepare evidence for customer acceptance and certification

prepare an installation failures procedure

manage ongoing monitoring activities

produce tuning activities

produce a capacity plan predicting the infrastructure resources needed.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

site where the management of application layer solutions may be conducted

software tools currently used in industry

vendor products, specifications, equipment and enterprise policy required for the activity.

Methods 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 managing the deployment of application layer solutions

direct observation of the candidate performing a systematic approach to test and analysis of complex issues arising

review of performance evaluation tests, software deployment mapping, plans and evidence for customer acceptance, prepared by the candidate

oral or written questioning of the candidate to assess required knowledge.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTTEN7224A Manage voice, data and internet protocol network solutions.

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.

Requirements for applications layer solutions may include:

diagnostic software tools

hardware resources

management software tools

protocols

software resources.

New applications layer solutions may include:

internet protocol (IP) games

internet protocol TV (IPTV)

mesh network applications

mobile voice over internet protocol (VoIP)

multicast mobile applications

multimedia products

web applications.

Forecasting demand data may be:

collected from:

customers:

actual

prospective

economic planners

internal organisational groups

local

marketing organisations

real estate agents

sales organisations

state and federal governments

statutory bodies

traffic management systems

in relation to:

access transport planning

changing customer use patterns

demographic changes

economic forecasts

industry trends

influence of technology on traffic demand

land developments

local industry

market conditions

marketing programs

population trends

possible environmental impacts

power re-zoning

sales forecasts

shire planning

traffic patterns.

Integration of new solutions may include:

no contentions

protocol compatibility

software compatibility

system interoperability.

Test management schedule may include:

post-installation test procedures

pre-installation test procedures

produces test summary report

profiling of application solution

risk defects report

simulation testing

test process is testable for application built.

Industry process may include:

complex architectural input

complex constructor table input

idea consultation.

Integration document software may include:

fine-tuning capabilities in multi-operating environments

integration with existing system

links to legacy systems.

Performance evaluation tests may include:

defects:

defects detected are logged and mapped to failed cases

releases:

manage software releases and iterations

requirements:

traceability

management

test lab:

execute test cases from test plan

test plan:

creating and updating test cases.

Transition to operation activities include:

installation procedures

operations and maintenance (OM) expenses

OM

project scope

schedule and milestones

training procedures.

Change implementation plan may include:

back out procedures

pre-validate changes prior to the change to assess environment stability

test process pre/post scheduled change to identify success.

Monitoring activities may include:

current and future capacity

current and future performance

throughput of the infrastructure components.

Tuning activities may include:

configuration settings

database performance tuning

network settings.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Telecommunications networks engineering

This unit contains employability skills.