Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

ICASAS415A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Optimise IT system performance

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency ICASAS415A - Optimise IT system performance
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify, improve and monitor IT system performance.The optimisation of system performance can be assisted by careful management of existing installed resources.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to experienced technical support personnel, such as help-desk supervisors, IT support technicians, and user support specialists responsible for maintaining top performance from computer systems.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Identify areas of poor performance
  • Collect system performance data, during various usage conditions and times, using available technical tools
  • Evaluate the collected system performance data related to organisational benchmarks and client feedback to identify areas of poor performance
       
Element: Investigate methods to improve system performance
  • Identify options to improve performance through discussing the system performance findings with appropriate person and accessing technical resources
  • Create a report for appropriate person, including cost analysis and identified options for alternative courses of action designed to measurably improve performance
  • Present report to appropriate person for decision as to preferred course of action
       
Element: Develop an implementation plan for system optimisation
  • Develop a plan for implementing the approved optimisation, with prioritised tasks and minimum disruption to clients
  • Factor project budget and staff availability into the implementation plan
  • Submit the implementation plan to the appropriate person for approval and revision, if necessary
       
Element: Modify system to optimise performance
  • Install or configure system components according to installation procedures and organisational guidelines, following the implementation plan
  • Measure and record the change in performance resulting from the system modification, in order to assess that the required level of optimisation has been achieved
  • Update appropriate documentation according to organisational guidelines, to reflect the system optimisation
       
Element: Monitor ongoing system performance
  • Implement and maintain a performance register
  • Review and assess benchmarks and performance regularly with the work team to enable timely optimisation and updates
       


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:

identify inadequacies in system performance

analyse system performance

tune the system to keep the system balanced and performing well.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

system components and software for performance tuning

technical manuals and resources

fault logs

diagnostic tools

appropriate learning and assessment support when required

modified equipment 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 candidate performing system tests

verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge

review of documentation recording system optimisation process.

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, assignment, 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

basic analytical skills to:

evaluate the collected system performance data

review and assess benchmarks and performance

communication skills to:

evaluate system performance data related to organisational benchmarks

follow up on client feedback

liaise with technical team members

literacy skills to:

document initial problem and make recommendations to solve problem

implement and maintain a performance register

read technical manuals, organisational guidelines and support agreements

write reports that include cost analysis details

planning and organisational skills to:

develop an implementation plan for system optimisation

develop plans with prioritised tasks

make contingency arrangements

minimise disruption to client

organise maintenance

problem-solving skills to:

determine problems based on diagnostic tests

identify options to improve performance

solve unknown problems in a range of contexts

teamwork skills to review and assess benchmarks and performance with the work team

technical skills to:

collect system performance data using available diagnostic and technical tools

install and configure system components

measure and record changes in performance resulting from system modifications

measure system performance against predefined benchmarks.

Required knowledge

business scheduling requirements

current industry-standard hardware and software monitoring tools and how to interpret information produced from monitoring

system performance, change control procedures and theoretical concepts

one or more change-management tools

quality assurance practices with regard to proposed changes to IT systems

role of stakeholders and the degree of stakeholder involvement

features and functions of the system under modification

current system functionality.

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.

Tools may include:

electronic test equipment:

data analyser

oscilloscope

voltmeter

software.

System performance may be related to:

allocation of files across disk space

disk speed

I/O channel availability

imbalances in disk use and available space

memory availability and use

number of concurrent users

physical limitations of system

poor design in a programs

processor use

queue depth

seek time

work load.

Client may include:

employee

external organisation

individual

internal department.

Improving performance may include:

load balancing between servers or other network devices using switches or routers

reducing total load by tuning the operating system

tuning applications to reduce the load they impose

tuning the disk sub-system

using various system tools to adjust system parameters, including hardware or software upgrade.

Appropriate person may include:

authorised business representative

client

project manager

supervisor.

Components may include:

CD and DVD drives

central processing unit (CPU)

complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) battery

fax or modem cards

interface cards

motherboards

random access memory (RAM).

Organisational guidelines may include:

communication methods

content of emails

dispute resolution

document procedures and templates

downloading information and accessing particular websites

financial control mechanisms

opening mail with attachments

personal use of emails and internet access

virus risk.

Documentation may follow:

audit trails

International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and Australian Standards (AS)

naming standards

project management templates

report writing principles

version control.

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
Collect system performance data, during various usage conditions and times, using available technical tools 
Evaluate the collected system performance data related to organisational benchmarks and client feedback to identify areas of poor performance 
Identify options to improve performance through discussing the system performance findings with appropriate person and accessing technical resources 
Create a report for appropriate person, including cost analysis and identified options for alternative courses of action designed to measurably improve performance 
Present report to appropriate person for decision as to preferred course of action 
Develop a plan for implementing the approved optimisation, with prioritised tasks and minimum disruption to clients 
Factor project budget and staff availability into the implementation plan 
Submit the implementation plan to the appropriate person for approval and revision, if necessary 
Install or configure system components according to installation procedures and organisational guidelines, following the implementation plan 
Measure and record the change in performance resulting from the system modification, in order to assess that the required level of optimisation has been achieved 
Update appropriate documentation according to organisational guidelines, to reflect the system optimisation 
Implement and maintain a performance register 
Review and assess benchmarks and performance regularly with the work team to enable timely optimisation and updates 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICASAS415A - Optimise IT system performance
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

ICASAS415A - Optimise IT system performance

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: