Assessor Resource

ICAICT710A
Synchronise IT projects

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Chief information officers in medium to large organisations apply the skills and knowledge in this unit to ensure internal and external information and communications technology (ICT) projects fit within the strategic and economic constraints of the organisation and deliver the expected financial benefits.

Their job roles combine high-level ICT management and business financial skills to perform strategic evaluation and direction of projects within the ICT industry.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to synchronise IT projects in a medium to large organisation, with an emphasis on costs.

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:

select project opportunities that align with organisational strategic and financial goals

identify and justify high priority projects to be undertaken based on trade-offs between benefits, risks and scarce financial resources

develop schedule and budget for selected projects to enable ongoing earned value performance measurement

review project performance and initiate appropriate corrective actions and audit activity where necessary

establish and monitor an agreed project benefits realisation plan.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

relevant strategic level enterprise documentation, including planning, financial and IT infrastructure

relevant organisational policies.

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:

direct observation of the candidate carrying out the work of overseeing projects being managed by others

verbal or written questioning to assess required knowledge and skills

review of reports and implementation plans

review of a portfolio of the project work undertaken.

Note: The preferred assessment method is through a workplace project or through a simulated medium to large enterprise workplace.

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:

assess deficiencies in project processes and set-up

determine the validity of arguments

formulate a logical plan of action based on proposed solutions

investigate situations and provide recommendations and remedies

make effective decisions

probe for consistency in information or data presented

validate competitive technologies in a strategic context

financial skills to:

negotiate adjustments to operational budgets based on benefits realisation plans

validate project estimation and cost-benefit analysis

management skills to:

apply project-management methods to reduce project and financial risks

delegate and communicate

maintain an overview of projects and programs

oversee project programs

plan and organise resources

interpersonal skills to:

maintain appropriate communication

negotiate appropriate outcomes

provide high-level leadership and personnel management

resolve conflict situations

technology skills to evaluate complex information technology issues within the organisational environment.

Required knowledge

appropriate cost management and estimating methodologies, techniques and tools, their capabilities and limitations, applicability and outcomes

business and commercial issues

cost schedule control systems

delegation and management of responsibilities for cost management

differences in work content, risk, processes, tools and techniques that apply in the various phases of recurring project life cycles within a volatile program environment

direction of project development and management of program budgets

human resource management policies

how to apply principles and techniques relating to:

negotiation

risk management, including risk sharing and transfer

organisational guidance and attitudes to cost management

organisational procurement guidelines

organisational policies, including project governance policies

principles of program project-cost management and its application

project management systems, tools and techniques

project specifications and objectives

public relations policies and strategies

relationship between cost, time and resources to the project management framework

political climate and organisation's culture

use of the budget as a control mechanism.

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.

Project proposals may include:

documents designed to seek authorisation and support for initiating a project within an organisation.

Financial criteria may include:

internal rate of return (IRR)

net present value (NPV)

payback period

return on investment (RoI).

Integration of project activities may include:

project activities that are necessary to ensure the project's components are coordinated

change control processes

project plan development and execution.

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
Evaluate project proposals in a strategic context 
Review financial criteria to determine economic feasibility of project 
Prioritise projects to leverage financial resources 
Direct project schedule and budget development 
Direct integration of project activities 
Evaluate project performance using earned value techniques 
Proactively manage strategic projects’ risks and issues 
Determine need and direct project audits 
Identify and take action to address unsatisfactory performance 
Direct financial completion 
Establish benefits realisation plans 
Apply project lessons learned strategically 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICAICT710A - Synchronise IT projects
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

ICAICT710A - Synchronise IT projects

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: