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

ICTNPL4151A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Plan the telecommunications access network for an estate

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency ICTNPL4151A - Plan the telecommunications access network for an estate
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan access networks delivering voice, data and video services to customers. It involves collation and evaluation of data relating to network shortfalls and projected usage, leading to the development of solutions and ultimately network plans for an estate.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application Technical officers from private and public organisations apply the skills and knowledge in this unit to perform the role of a network planner. They combine technical design and planning skills with organisational, economic and regulation skills to plan the access network for an estate or green field site. Technical officers may be responsible for small projects or parts of larger projects, and for the operations and engineering of the enterprise and telecommunications network in general.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Network planning
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: Gather data on network usage for planning activity
  • Determine the type of access network by accessing and using network information sources
  • Collect planning data using network information sources to determine network trends
  • Evaluate new and emerging technologies to determine availability and compatibility with existing network equipment
  • Access relevant legislation and associated regulatory and operational codes
       
Element: Evaluate need for network growth
  • Evaluate capacity of the existing network to absorb planned growth
  • Identify need and likely timing of necessary network increments
  • Assess new or alternate technologies to rectify network shortfall
  • Identify barriers relating to planned network extensions that impact on planning the network realisation
  • Assess the impact of not meeting network shortfall needs and the long term ramifications on the business
       
Element: Develop solution and network plan to address network shortfall
  • Review overall planning parameters prior to commencement of the planning process to produce forecasts for specific network area and cost-benefit analysis
  • Establish the optimum solution to address network shortfall with justification for the proposal
  • Determine project details and ascertain preliminary costing and resource requirements
  • Determine the availability of required technology or technology features within the specified timeframe
  • Produce a specific network plan with solution and recommendations for anticipated projects for approval according to enterprise procedures
       


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:

implement planning processes including associated monitoring and control mechanisms

develop solutions to address Access Network shortfalls that satisfy customer and enterprise needs

merge technological development and product implementation into network development plans

produce forecasts for a specific network including cost-benefit analysis.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

a network planning area, systems and deployment rules and standards

relevant databases, licensing requirements and other site related procedures.

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 the candidate undertaking an assessment of an access network

review of documented network development plan, within specification and within specified timeframes completed by the candidate for differing project briefs

review of solutions developed by the candidate that address network shortfalls

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of planning the access network.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICTNPL4108A Plan the deployment of access network architectures

ICTNPL4109A Evaluate the capability of access networks.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

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

analytical skills to identify details relating to the project from the approved network plan

communication skills to discuss project brief with the customer

learning skills to:

develop and study planning options, considering present and future needs

identify barriers to plan realisation

literacy skills to write project briefs

numerical skills to:

analyse site survey data

cost estimates and operating budgets according to enterprise policy

undertake cost-benefit studies to inform the decision making process

planning skills to review current and new technology, facilities and features when developing options

problem solving skills to:

address and analyse specific customer requirements

assess current Access Network conditions

research skills to:

analyse impact on planning processes

obtain and study information relating to new technology or technology features

obtain geographical information

study relevant legislation and associated operational codes

technical skills to apply the three phases of project management to the project brief

Required knowledge

awareness of relevant legislation

detailed knowledge of:

cost estimates and operating budgets according to enterprise policy

telecommunications industry in Australia

theory of project management and associated databases and project management software programs

overview knowledge of:

economic and political influences upon public and commercial enterprises

financial authorities and delegations

influence of the local and international economic conditions on the telecommunications industry

typical challenges and limits facing technology today and the consideration of future needs

specific knowledge of collating and writing project briefs, reports and project charters

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.

Access network may refer to:

copper:

coaxial

hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC)

twisted pair

broadband:

wireless fidelity (WiFi)

world interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX)

digital services:

asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL)

digital subscriber line (DSL)

internet protocol (IP) network:

computer

IP private branck exchange (IP PBX)

Internet protocol TV (IPTV)

Voice over internet protocol (VoIP)

optical:

fibre to the x (FTTx)

fibre to the premises (FTTP)

fibre to the node (FTTN)

HFC

point-to-point network

point-to-multipoint network

wireless networks:

cellular

microwave

radio

satellite.

Network information sources may include:

network management databases for:

capacity assessment data

network performance data

traffic dimensioning data

network management tools.

Planning data may relate to:

current and proposed network growth

demographic growth

traffic quantity and flow.

Network trends may include:

current network capacity

demographic trends

forecasts service demand

forecasts traffic demand

projected network capacity.

New and emerging technologies may include:

digital subscriber lines:

ADSL

DSL

IP broadband converging technologies:

IPTV

VoIP

WiFI

WiMAX

optical transmission systems:

dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems

wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems

mobile radio.

Relevant legislation may include:

Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) standards TS 14

Australian standards applying to radiation hazards

heritage legislation

industrial awards and conditions

International Standards ISO 9000 9001

International Telecommunications Union (ITU) recommendations

National Parks Act

OHS

Privacy Act

State/Territory and Federal Environment Acts

Telecommunications Act and relevant codes.

Existing network may include:

boundaries between:

access and inter-exchange networks

Access Network technology and exchange switching and transmission systems.

Barriers relating to planned network extensions may include:

building availability

environmental considerations

financial constraints

government policy

heritage legislation restrictions

land acquisition problems

material availability

planning approvals

technology availability.

Planning parameters may relate to:

network criteria:

cover sites, buildings and structures

network change

network growth

network reduction

organisational policies, procedures and guidelines

planning priorities driven by:

customer demand

legislative requirements

marketing initiatives

network conditions

revenue projections

planning processes:

documented within enterprise process manuals

enterprise specific.

Resource requirements may refer to:

external to the enterprise

internal to the enterprise.

Network plan may include:

activities

finance

labour

material.

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
Determine the type of access network by accessing and using network information sources 
Collect planning data using network information sources to determine network trends 
Evaluate new and emerging technologies to determine availability and compatibility with existing network equipment 
Access relevant legislation and associated regulatory and operational codes 
Evaluate capacity of the existing network to absorb planned growth 
Identify need and likely timing of necessary network increments 
Assess new or alternate technologies to rectify network shortfall 
Identify barriers relating to planned network extensions that impact on planning the network realisation 
Assess the impact of not meeting network shortfall needs and the long term ramifications on the business 
Review overall planning parameters prior to commencement of the planning process to produce forecasts for specific network area and cost-benefit analysis 
Establish the optimum solution to address network shortfall with justification for the proposal 
Determine project details and ascertain preliminary costing and resource requirements 
Determine the availability of required technology or technology features within the specified timeframe 
Produce a specific network plan with solution and recommendations for anticipated projects for approval according to enterprise procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTNPL4151A - Plan the telecommunications access network for an estate
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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

ICTNPL4151A - Plan the telecommunications access network for an estate

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Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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