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 identify and capture technical design changes important for future integration activities on a particular platform and to avoid integration activities that have been previously performed.

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

Design specifications

High-level diagrammatic view of the main system components

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment should demonstrate:

Finding systematic methods to identify and select tests from component test suites to form integration test suites

Defining a reusable integration infrastructure to build an integration test platform to cope with integration of diversified components

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:

The demonstration of competency may also require 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.

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.

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.

Assessment will usually include observation of real or simulated work processes and procedures and/or performance in a project context as well as questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills. The questioning of team members, supervisors, subordinates, peers and clients where appropriate may provide valuable input to the assessment process. The interdependence of units for assessment purposes may vary with the particular project or scenario.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICAA5054C Validate quality and completeness of system design specifications

ICAT5077B Develop detailed test plan

ICAT5083B Develop and conduct client acceptance test

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

Risk assessment skills related to problems (e.g. when scope of modifications required is identified from compatibility test)

Design and analysis skills for identifying, analysing and evaluating a range of solutions (e.g. when ensuring that technical considerations cover the overall project requirements and best technical fit against project requirements is identified and evaluated)

Negotiation and influencing skills (e.g. when technical architecture documents are reviewed and additional discussions are held with architect to ensure complete understanding if necessary)

Problem solving skills for a defined range of unpredictable problems involving participation in the development of strategic initiatives (e.g. when integration activities are continued until platform is stable)

Required knowledge

Knowledge of technology suppliers and components

Broad knowledge of current industry-accepted hardware and software products, with broad knowledge of general features and capabilities and detailed knowledge in some areas (e.g. when undertaking compatibility tests)

Broad knowledge of current industry development and design methodologies (e.g. when reviewing technical architecture documents

Broad knowledge of current industry-accepted testing procedures (e.g. when undertaking compatibility tests)

Broad knowledge of stress load testing (e.g. when assessing readiness for stress testing)

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 may be in reference to:

business

system

platform

database

network

people in the organisation

Specifications may include but are not limited to:

technical requirements

user problem statement

current system functionality

project plan

software requirements

metrics

Components may include:

transactional processing component

file system object in Windows operating systems

Component technologies may include:

CORBA

ActiveX

JavaBeans

COM

DCOM

OpenDoc

NET

Modifications may include but are not limited to:

software patches and upgrades

internal or external hardware model information

telecommunications hardware and software version details

custom-designed components

driver and firmware revisions

board and chip revisions

software versions

distribution release details