Required skills

Configuration management involves problem solving skills involving participation in the development of configuration management eg when the point when items are subjected to configuration control is identified with developers and team members

Plain English literacy and communication skills in relation to developing technical and business reports

Group facilitation and presentation skills in relation to transferring and collecting information and gaining consensus on concepts eg when responsibilities for configuration management within the project and for ongoing support including approval of changes are identified and responsible parties are aware of their roles

Project planning skills in relation to scope time cost quality communications and risk management eg when the physical and functional completeness of items for the purpose of release is determined with developers and team members

Research skills for identifying analysing and evaluating broad features of a particular business domain and best practice in software development methodologies eg when the requirements for formal control of software products and documentation are identified and implemented

Estimating skills for use across a range of predictable project contexts in relation to either varied or highly specific functions eg when the development and maintenance of records and status reports required to show the history of baselines and their links to backups are documented

Function point analysis skills for use across a range of predictable project contexts in relation to either varied or highly specific functions eg when configuration management is integrated into general project management processes for monitoring and control purposes

Required knowledge

Detailed knowledge of software development methodologies eg when identifying and clarifying configuration management requirements

Detailed knowledge of quality assurance and quality processes eg when implementing monitoring mechanisms

Broad knowledge of project planning methodologies and tools

Detailed knowledge of benchmarking methodologies eg when implementing monitoring mechanisms

Detailed knowledge of how to formulate software size models and size estimates eg when employing control mechanisms

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 will confirm knowledge of quality processes audit trails and version control

Assessment will confirm the ability to implement and maintain reliable and valid configuration management procedures for technical and administrative procedures for use during the software life cycle

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

Configuration tools

Evaluation criteria

Process for approval of change requests

Templates for status reports

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Implementation of configuration management will usually include observation of real or simulated work processes and procedures the results of previous configuration projects may be used to assist in understanding configuration management in a global context

The breadth depth and complexity of knowledge and skills in this competency would cover a broad range of varied activities or application in a wider variety of contexts most of which are complex and nonroutine Leadership and guidance would be involved when organising activities of self and others as well as contributing to technical solutions of a nonroutine or contingency nature

Assessment must ensure

Performance of a broad range of skilled applications including the requirement to evaluate and analyse current practices develop new criteria and procedures for performing current practices and provision of some leadership and guidance to others in the application and planning of the skills would be characteristic

Applications may involve responsibility for and limited organisation of others

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 ICA Section

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 andor 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

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to

Demonstrate understanding of a broad knowledge base incorporating some theoretical concepts

Apply solutions to a defined range of unpredictable problems

Identify and apply skill and knowledge areas to a wide variety of contexts with depth in some areas

Identify analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources

Take responsibility for own outputs in relation to specified quality standards

Take limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

To demonstrate this unit of competency the following should be addressed

Track changes to all software components

Support parallel development of different components

Control the entire project and its evolution over time eg releases and variants

Manage the approval of changes eg promotion process

Documentation may follow:

Stakeholders may include:

Requirements may be in reference to:

network

Organisational requirements may include but is not limited to:

Software may include but is not limited to:

Softwareconfigurationtools may include:

Organisationalguidelines may include but is not limited to: