Assessor Resource

ICADBS404A
Identify and resolve common database performance problems

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to experienced technical support personnel, such as help-desk supervisors, database support technicians, IT support technicians, and user support specialists who are responsible for maintaining good performance from a database.

Resolving database issues can be complex and take considerable time. The core role in this competency is to take part in common database-performance problem solving.

This unit should be flexible enough to allow for the creation of specialised database programs that are poor in performance so that problem-solving processes can be applied.

There are many open-source database offerings that may provide a suitable code base from which to work.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify and solve common database problems to improve performance.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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:

correctly identify common database problems

select appropriate solutions to solve the problem

implement such solutions to improve database performance.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

diagnostic tools

database operating on a network

appropriate learning and assessment support when required

modified equipment for people with special needs.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

review of candidate’s documentation of problem resolution

direct observation of the candidate using database tools to solve a database problem

evaluation of database after candidate has resolved issues affecting its performance.

Guidance information for assessment

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

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support.

In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

analytical skills to:

detect, identify and resolve contentions in the real-time operation of the database

determine appropriate database performance diagnostic tool to use

literacy skills to record performance test results

planning and organisational skills to:

ensure that database backup procedures are appropriate for the method of data storage

set benchmarks

problem-solving skills to:

carry out appropriate fixes based on diagnostic results

detect, identify and resolve contentions in the real-time operation of the database

determine where inappropriate use of database and temporary table spaces occur

identify issues causing degradation of database performance

technical skills to:

configure the database and test its performance

monitor and measure the performance of shared pool, blocks and buffers

monitor and tune the efficiency of SQL as required

track the module performance according to specifications.

Required knowledge

broad knowledge of:

principles of database design

SQL

detailed knowledge of:

database administration

diagnostic tools

tuning methodologies.

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.

Diagnostic tool may include:

server software or may be inbuilt to the server software

software applications external to the database server.

Database may include:

commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) database packages

object-relational databases

proprietary databases

relational databases.

Performance may include:

archiving old records

compacting database files

creating indexes

improvements to response time

latch contention

preventing events causing waits

record or table locking

repairing the database

simultaneous access

splitting database files.

Architecture may include:

configuration:

large memory model

requests per second

small memory model

database software:

DB2

Informix

Ingres

Microsoft SQL (MS SQL) server

Mini SQL (mSQL)

MySQL

Oracle

Sybase

operating system:

Linux

Mac

multi-user ability

Novell NetWare 5 or above

Windows 2000 or above.

SQL may include:

ISO/IEC 9075 (1-4,9-11,13,14):2008:

ISO/IEC 9075-1:2008 Framework (SQL/Framework)

ISO/IEC 9075-10:2008 Object Language Bindings (SQL/OLB)

ISO/IEC 9075-11:2008 Information and Definition Schemas (SQL/Schemata)

ISO/IEC 9075-13:2008 SQL Routines and Types Using the Java TM Programming Language (SQL/JRT)

ISO/IEC 9075-14:2008 XML-Related Specifications (SQL/XML)

ISO/IEC 9075-2:2008 Foundation (SQL/Foundation)

ISO/IEC 9075-3:2008 Call-Level Interface (SQL/CLI)

ISO/IEC 9075-4:2008 Persistent Stored Modules (SQL/PSM)

ISO/IEC 9075-9:2008 Management of External Data (SQL/MED)

proprietary extensions: AS/NZS 3968.0:1994/Amdt 1:1996 Information technology - database languages - SQL - definition of data structures and basic operations

SQL:2008.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Determine appropriate database performance diagnostic tool to use based on organisational database requirements and vendor recommendations 
Run diagnostic tool to identify issues causing degradation of database performance 
Determine and record where inappropriate use of database and temporary table spaces occur 
Carry out appropriate fixes based on diagnostic results 
Adopt a distributed files architecture to minimise input and output (I/O) contention 
Ensure that database backup procedures are appropriate for method of data storage 
Reconfigure rollback segments 
Configure the database and test its performance 
Track the module performance according to specifications 
Monitor and tune the efficiency of structured query language (SQL), as required 
Monitor and measure the performance of shared pool, blocks and buffers 
Detect, identify and resolve contentions that may arise in the real-time operation of the database 
Reconfigure the database according to specifications 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICADBS404A - Identify and resolve common database performance problems
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

ICADBS404A - Identify and resolve common database performance problems

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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