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 competency in sustaining the operation of the network through maintenance of network integrity and the performing of diagnostic tests. Assessment must also confirm competency in contributing to the formulation of a disaster recovery plan and providing the client with an optimised network that complies with organisational guidelines.

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

Peers and supervisors for obtaining information on the extent and quality of the contribution made

Live network

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Demonstrating competency in network systems administration would include knowledge by recall in a narrow range of areas; and demonstrate basic practical skills, such as the use of relevant systems administration tools.

Breadth, depth and complexity of knowledge and skills would prepare a person to perform in a range of varied activities or knowledge application where there are clear guidelines on managing a network system and associated software and hardware.

The breadth, depth and complexity of knowledge and skills in this competency would cover selecting, adapting and transferring skills and knowledge to new environments and providing technical advice and some leadership in resolution of specified problems. This would be applied across a range of roles in a variety of contexts with some complexity in the extent and choice of options available.

Assessment must ensure:

Performance of a defined range of skilled operations, usually within a range of broader related activities involving known routines, methods and procedures, where some discretion and judgement is required in the section of equipment, services or contingency measures and within known time constraints would be characteristic.

Applications may involve some responsibility for others. Participation in teams including group or team coordination may 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:

ICAI3020B Install and optimise operating system software

ICAS3120B Configure and administer a network operating system

Demonstration of competency would involve:

Demonstrating basic operational knowledge of a network system in a range of areas

Applying appropriate knowledge and skills in managing and administering a network within a limited range of predictable outcomes

Performing a range of tasks where choice between options for network performance is required

Additionally, an individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate some relevant theoretical knowledge

Apply a range of well-developed skills

Apply known solutions to a variety of predictable problems

Perform processes that require a range of well-developed skills where some discretion and judgement is required

Interpret available information, using discretion and judgement

Take responsibility for own outputs in work and learning

Take limited responsibility for the output of others

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

Required skills

Interpretation of technical manuals

One-to-one instruction

Questioning and active listening for conveying and clarifying information

Client needs assessment methods

System administration skills

Customer service skills in a range of contexts at various levels

Diagnostic skills

Required knowledge

Organisational and technical systems

Organisational access and security procedures

Software copyright responsibilities

Operating systems supported by the organisation

Operating systems functions and basic features

Organisational procedures for protection against and elimination of computer viruses

Advanced knowledge of software features supported by the organisation

Security and network guidelines and procedures

Policy and procedures for deleting, restoring and archiving of files

Approaches to back-up and restoring computer data

Disaster recovery policy

Procedures for creating logons

File access

In-house and vendor support

OH&S legislation relating to the use of equipment

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.

User may include:

a person within a department

a department within the organisation

a third party

Documentation may follow:

ISO/IEC/AS standards

audit trails

naming standards

version control

project management templates and report writing

maintaining equipment inventory

client training

satisfaction reports

System may include but is not limited to:

network

software

business

computers

financial system

management system

information system

Hardware may include:

Workstations, personal computers

Modems or other connectivity devices

Networks

Remote sites

Servers

Software may include but is not limited to:

commercial, in-house, packaged or customised software

Organisational requirements may be in reference to:

work environment

problem solution processes

preventative maintenance

diagnostic policy

roles and technical responsibilities in the IT department

vendor and product service-level support agreements

Organisational guidelines 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

OH&S standards may include:

correct posture

lighting

type of desk

type of monitor

style of chair

typing position

repetitive strain injury prevention

ventilation

light position

correct lifting method

length of time in front of computer