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 the ability to ascertain and meet client requirements for installation and upgrade of software.

Assessment must confirm the ability to plan, manage and support the installation of software to networked computers and to sustain network performance according to organisational and technical specifications. Installation and upgrade of software must be across a variety of situations and include unexpected contingencies.

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

Software to be installed

Networked computers

Organisational guidelines

Live network

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Installing networked software can be complex particularly for specialist areas, such as Linux Terminal Services. Configuration files need to be closely checked for compliance with hardware (e.g. monitors and printers) and other system software. The effective management and support of the software installation process are critical project management tasks in the context of ensuring minimal client disruption and the need for continuing network operation in a business 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 non-routine. Leadership and guidance would be involved when organising activities of self and others as well as contributing to technical solutions of a non-routine 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 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:

ICAA4041C Determine and confirm client business expectations and needs

ICAD4043B Develop and present a feasibility report

ICAS4023B Provide one-to-one instruction

ICAS4127B Support system software

ICAS4108B Complete database back-up and recovery

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

Required skills

Using software packages

Configuring services on networked computers

Solving problems related to installation of software

Evaluation and report writing skills

Literacy in general and technical workplace documentation

Solving network problems related to installation of software

Required knowledge

Detailed knowledge of the system's current functionality

Broad general knowledge of organisational contracting procedures and responsibilities

Broad knowledge of organisational security procedures

Broad knowledge of network linkages

Detailed general knowledge of relevant configuration procedures

Broad knowledge of the operating system, with detailed knowledge in some areas

Broad knowledge of current industry-accepted network protocols

Broad knowledge of current industry-accepted network hardware and software products

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.

Software may include but is not limited to:

commercial software applications; organisation-specific software; word processing, spreadsheet, database, graphic, mail, communication packages and presentation functionalities; nature of licence

Requirements may be in reference to:

business

system

network

people in the organisation

May include but is not limited to commercial software applications; organisation-specific software; word processing, spreadsheet, database, graphic, communication packages; and presentation functionalities.

May include presentation applications contained in: Microsoft Office, Lotus Suite, Claris Works, Star Office or other similar applications

OperatingSystem may include but is not limited to:

Linux 6.0 or above

Windows 98 or above

Apple OS 8 or above

Note: The use of operating system in this unit is in the context of the pre-existing system and may therefore not be current industry version. Preference is for Linux 7.0 or above, Windows 2000 or above, Apple OS X or above.

Appropriateperson may include:

supervisor

teacher

authorised business representative

client

Network may include but is not limited to:

large and small LANs

WANs

the internet

the use of the PSTN for dial-up modems only

private lines

data

voice

Computer may include:

laptops

workstations

servers

other devices

Organisationalguidelines may include but are not limited to:

personal use of emails and internet access

content of emails

downloading information and accessing particular websites

opening mail with attachments

virus risk

dispute resolution

document procedures and templates

communication methods

financial control mechanisms.

Client may include but is not limited to:

internal departments

external organisations

individual people

internal employees