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 sufficient knowledge of the inherent data requirements of both old and upgraded or new systems. Assessment must confirm the ability to achieve a physical transfer or transformation of data.

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

Data conversion plan

Conversion specifications

Documentation guidelines

Context of and specific resources for assessment

To demonstrate this unit of competency the person will during the monitoring process give consideration to:

Data migration from the legacy systems to the staging area (if necessary)

Data conditioning, cleaning, transformation, and integration in the staging area

Storing, updating and exporting converted data

Data loading and indexing on the production server

Ensuring data quality throughout the data conversion process

Supplementary questioning may be used during the summative assessment phase, where necessary, to ensure that:

Data is complete and valid

Structural integrity of both the legacy system and the new database/data warehouse is sound

Data reflects and works with the business rules and data standards

An individual performing at this standard will display self-directed application of knowledge and skills, with substantial depth in database design and development where judgement is required in planning and selecting appropriate equipment, services and techniques for self and others.

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:

ICAB5062B Perform data conversion

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

Problem solving skills for a defined range of unpredictable problems involving participation in the development of strategic initiatives (e.g. data accuracy and integrity are validated according to conversion specifications)

Communication skills in relation to analysis, evaluation and presentation of information (e.g. when results are verified with Domain Expert, signed off and passed on to appropriate personnel, and the production of technical documentation in a clear and coherent manner)

Facilitation and presentation skills in relation to transferring and collecting information

Required knowledge

Broad knowledge of data conversion from legacy systems

Broad knowledge of current industry data conversion tools

Current industry-accepted hardware and software products, with broad knowledge of general features and capabilities and detailed knowledge in some areas

Broad knowledge of current data modelling 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.

Supporting documentation may include:

data conversion plan

conversion specifications

documentation guidelines

Requirements may be in reference to:

business

system

platform

database

network

people in the organisation

Client may include but is not limited to:

internal departments

external organisations

clubs

individual people

internal employees

Hardware may include but is not limited to:

workstations

personal computers

modems and other connectivity devices

networks

remote sites

servers

DSL modems

Software may include but is not limited to:

commercial software applications

organisation-specific software

packaged software

in-house or customised software

Environmental prerequisites may consist of but is not limited to:

dust

heat

extreme cold

temperature stability

air circulation

moisture

Tools may include:

Tools that analyse data quality

Tools for extraction and transformation

Tools for cleansing data (identifying invalid field entries and forcing to legal values

Data management tools

Appropriate person may include:

supervisor

teacher

authorised business representative

client

Technical documentation may include:

project specifications

reports

help references

technical manuals

training materials and self-paced tutorials

on-line help

user guides

brochures