Assessor Resource

ICAICT411A
Select and employ software and hardware testing tools

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to individuals in a wide range of information and communications technology (ICT) areas who are required to test software and hardware.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to select and use software and hardware diagnostic and testing tools.

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:

evaluate hardware and software that meet functional requirements

select and use the correct automating tools

develop an automating process that produces an outcome that is measurable and meets specified requirements

install, configure and document hardware and software according to vendor guidelines

validate hardware and software performance against client requirements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

site where automated processing may be carried out

hardware and software currently used in industry

a range of automating vendor products currently used in industry

client requirements documentation

organisational requirements.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified 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:

verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of:

client domain

hardware and software to be tested

automated processes

direct observation of candidate installing, configuring and testing hardware and software tools according to vendor guidelines

review of documentation prepared by candidate outlining:

hardware and software configuration

tests to be carried out

evaluation of test results.

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 analyse:

customisation requirements

hardware and software functional requirements

communication skills to:

communicate with vendors

convey and clarify complex information

seek assistance and expert advice

literacy skills to:

accurately summarise and document information

interpret technical documentation, equipment manuals and specifications

planning and organisational skills to:

organise and assess importance and relevance of product information

prioritise and monitor own work

problem-solving skills to solve operational problems as they arise

safety awareness skills to work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

research skills to locate key sources of information

technical skills to:

analyse and interpret technical aspects of implementation

develop creative solutions and demonstrate automating process capability

identify the conflicts and integration capabilities between diverse equipment

integrate multiple items of data and reconcile conflicting information

predict outcomes and results of selection of tools.

Required knowledge

batch scripting of nominated automating software routines

broad general knowledge of the client business domain

broad knowledge of vendor product directions

current industry-accepted hardware and software products, and their features and capabilities

functions and features of:

development tools, including animation development tools

development package automating options

third-party tools for automating a range of software applications

media management tools

technologies

interaction between relevant hardware and software products

basic design principles of each media type as required.

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 related to:

business

network

people in the organisation

system.

Client may include:

employees

external organisations

individuals

internal departments.

Hardware may include:

modems and other connectivity devices, such as digital subscriber line (DSL) modems

networks

personal computers

remote sites

servers

workstations.

Software may include:

commercial applications

customised

in-house

organisation-specific

packaged.

Equipment may include:

other peripherals or stand-alone units

personal computers

workstations.

System architecture may include:

configuration:

large memory model

requests per second

small memory model

database software:

DB2

Informix

Ingres

Microsoft Structured Query Language Server (SQLS)

Mini SQL (mSQL)

MySQL

Oracle

Postgre Structured Query Language (Postgre SQL)

Sybase

operating systems:

Linux

Mac

multi-user ability

Novell NetWare

Windows.

Standards may include:

International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and Australian Standards (AS) standards

organisational standards

project standards.

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
Identify process requirements ensuring they are accurate, complete, prioritised, and have functionality, and reference appropriate method or media types 
Identify conflicting or overlapping requirements 
Document and validate functional requirements of the client 
Identify and validate available resources and budget 
Identify and evaluate relevant hardware and software tools with reference to functional requirements 
Identify and analyse relevant products and equipment interdependencies with reference to functional requirements and system architecture 
Identify and document appropriate tools, including their limitations for the required use and industry standards 
Select and acquire tools according to purchasing policies 
Install and configure appropriate hardware and software tools according to vendor guidelines with reference to system architecture and client functionality requirements 
Configure system architecture for optimal usage 
Prepare, schedule and execute tests and record outcomes 
Track errors, and interpret and correct them 
Make changes to the tested hardware or software based on test results 
Document the hardware and software configuration according to requirements 
Provide appropriate training of client with reference to guides, instructions and vendor materials 
Use hardware and software according to vendor guidelines 
Validate hardware and software performance with reference to client functional requirements 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICAICT411A - Select and employ software and hardware testing tools
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

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

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

ICAICT411A - Select and employ software and hardware testing tools

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

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: