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 conduct research and discuss various RFID standards and their applications to various business processes.

Assessment must confirm the ability to examine and discuss examples of different implementation strategies using case studies.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Evaluation of vendor products is critical for reducing costs, improving quality and ensuring better internal processes.

Planning and evaluation of vendor products uses skills and knowledge applications across a broad range of technical and management requirements, evaluation and coordination.

Vendor product evaluation may include participation in teams, including those concerned with planning and evaluation functions.

The breadth, depth and complexity covering planning and initiation of alternative approaches to skills or knowledge applications across a broad range of technical and/or management requirements, evaluation and coordination would be characteristic.

Assessment must ensure:

self-directed application of knowledge and skills, with substantial depth in some areas where judgement is required in planning and selecting appropriate equipment, services and techniques for self and others.

Applications involve participation in development of strategic initiatives as well as personal responsibility and autonomy in performing complex technical operations or organising others. It may include participation in teams including teams concerned with planning and evaluation functions. Group or team coordination may also be involved.

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

Client functional requirements

RFID equipment specifications

Conversion tools

Database software

Organisational guidelines

Networked computers

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.

The following assessment method is appropriate for this unit:

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.

The assessment of this unit of competency will usually include observation and research of existing RFID technologies and their impact on various business scenarios.

Guidance information for assessment

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

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of a broad knowledge base incorporating theoretical concepts, with substantial depth in some areas

Analyse and plan approaches to technical problems or management requirements

Transfer and apply theoretical concepts and/or technical or creative skills to a range of situations

Evaluate information, using it to forecast for planning or research purposes

Take responsibility for own outputs in relation to broad quantity and quality parameters

Take some responsibility for the achievement of group outcomes

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

Required skills

Identification of key sources of information

Understanding specification sheets

Accurately summarising and documenting information

Understanding conflicts and integration capabilities between diverse equipment

Understanding importance and relevance of product information

Communicating with vendors effectively

Problem solving skills for a defined range of unpredictable problems involving participation in the development of strategic initiatives

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

Teamwork skills involving the contribution to solutions and goals of a non-routine or contingency nature

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

Report writing skills requiring depth in some areas

Change management skills in relation to maintaining the continuity of IT operations and business functions

Customer service skills in relation to reviewing change procedures

Skills in handling difficult clients in relation to reviewing change procedures

Conflict resolution skills in relation to reviewing change procedures

Risk analysis skills in relation to reviewing change procedures

Required knowledge

Knowledge of RFID hardware and software

Network protocols and operating systems

Security protocols, standards and data encryption

Knowledge about the radio spectrum and RFID frequencies

Vendor product knowledge

Knowledge about RF interference

Wireless topologies

Use of protocol and frequency analysers

Relevant knowledge of current and future technical systems

Features and function of relevant hardware components

Features and function of relevant software products

Interaction between relevant hardware and software products

Broad knowledge of the client business domain (e.g. when confirming system components to acquire and agreeing on methods for acquiring components)

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

Broad knowledge of vendor product directions

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 understanding of the role and level of stakeholder involvement

Broad general knowledge of the client business domain

Detailed knowledge of the system's current functionality

Broad knowledge of quality assurance practices

One or more change management tools

Broad knowledge of system testing

Broad knowledge of change control procedures

Detailed knowledge of the system under evaluation

Broad knowledge of capacity planning.

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.

Business requirements may include:

the business

system

network

people in the organisation

RFID technologies may include:

RFID and networking tools and equipment

RFID interrogators/readers and tags

Servers and workstations

Key stakeholders may include:

EPCGlobal

Auto-ID Center for industry standards

ISO

Industry standards may include:

technical

vertical

regional

Solutions may include:

new hardware

hardware upgrades

new software

software upgrades

user training

implementing a new system