This unit of competency supports high-level project management activity in the spatial information services industry sector. It requires the application of planning, organisational, high-level communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills; the ability to demonstrate initiative and enterprise; interpreting technical documentation; and an understanding of technology. The skills and knowledge acquired upon completion of this unit would support the needs of employees in surveying, cartography, town planning, mapping and geographic information systems.

While no licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply holistically to this unit at the time of publication, relevant federal, and state or territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice impact upon this unit (see unit performance criteria and range statement).

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ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Identify potential sources of spatial data.

1.1 Extent, content, intended use, accuracy, precision and format of required spatial datasets are clearly identified from the specifications provided by the suppliers of spatial data.

1.2 A search is undertaken via a range of media to identify sources of information.

1.3 Metadata for potential spatial datasets is obtained to assist in determining the most appropriate spatial data source.

1.4 All potential sources of spatial data are listed according to organisational guidelines.

1.5 OHS issues are considered at all times.

1.6 Skills and knowledge are updated to accommodate changes in operating environment and equipment.

2Assess spatial data availability and suitability.

2.1 Spatial datasets are assessed for suitability against the specifications.

2.2 Availability of suitable data is verified with potential suppliers.

2.3 Constraints on the use of spatial data are assessed against specifications.

2.4 Sample data is obtained and assessed to further ensure its suitability, where required.

2.5 Maintenance requirements are determined to ensure currency.

3Document spatial data assessment.

3.1 A written assessment of data availability including cost, licensing conditions and constraints on use is completed according to organisational guidelines.

3.2 A written assessment of the suitability of available data, including comparison with quality, accuracy, standards and format requirements is completed according to organisational guidelines.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

ability to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

communication skills to:

consult effectively with clients and colleagues

impart knowledge and ideas through oral, written and visual means

computer skills (high technical user level) to develop business documentation

literacy skills to:

assess, develop and use workplace information

locate and interpret legislation and other written documentation

prepare and manage documentation and information flow

read and write key performance reports, including technical reports

research and evaluate (high level)

numeracy skills to:

estimate costs

analyse errors

conduct image analysis

interpret and analyse statistics

record with accuracy and precision

undertake computations

organisational skills to:

coordinate technical and human resource inputs to research activities

prioritise activities to meet contractual requirements

project management skills

self-management skills

spatial skills to:

exercise precision and accuracy in all spatial operations

perform spatial data archival and retrieval and train others in this task

perform spatial data management and manipulation and train others in this task

perform file management and train others in this task

solve problems relating to height, depth, breadth, dimension, direction and position in actual operational activity and virtual representation

understand implications of height, depth, breadth, dimension and position to actual operational activity and virtual representation

time management skills.

Required knowledge and understanding:

data quality integrity

existing spatial datasets and dataset sources

information management

metadata

organisational policies and guidelines, such as OHS guidelines

relevant legislative, statutory and industry requirements and standards

resource management processes

risk analysis principles

spatial data formats, handling and structure

spatial referencing systems

working within budgetary constraints.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function, for example unit CPPSIS5006A Integrate spatial datasets.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

understanding copyright and ownership constraints

determining data requirements

evaluating suitability of available data against project specifications

identifying sources of data.

Specific resources for assessment

Resource implications for assessment include access to:

assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book

assignment instructions, work plans and schedules, policy documents and duty statements

registered training provider of assessment services

relevant guidelines, regulations and codes of practice

suitable venue and equipment.

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

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

Context of assessment

Holistic: based on the performance criteria, evidence guide, range statement, and required skills and knowledge.

Method of assessment

Demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment).

Demonstrated competency in a range of situations, that may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

Obtained by observing activities in the field and reviewing induction information. If this is not practicable, observation in realistic simulated environments may be substituted.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment requires that the clients' objectives and industry expectations are met. If the clients' objectives are narrowly defined or not representative of industry needs, it may be necessary to refer to portfolio case studies of a variety of spatial information services requirements to assess competency.

Oral questioning or written assessment and hypothetical situations (scenarios) may be used to assess underpinning knowledge (in assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning or written assessment, questions are to be identical).

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

All practical demonstration must adhere to the safety and environmental regulations relevant to each State or Territory.

Where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (recognition of current competencies [RCC] or recognition of prior learning [RPL]), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.

Assessment processes will be appropriate to the language and literacy levels of the candidate and any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

Suppliers of spatial data may include:

brokers

government agencies

internal suppliers

private suppliers.

Range of media may include:

computer-based storage

internet spatial data directories

service authorities' indexes

supplier catalogues.

Metadata may include:

summarised information about a spatial dataset that describes the characteristics of the dataset, including:

availability

conditions of use

coordinate system

currency

date of acquisition

quality

source

spatial data acquisition methodologies

version control.

Organisational guidelines may include:

code of ethics

company policy

legislation relevant to the work or service function, including equal employment opportunity (EEO)

manuals

OHS policies and procedures

personnel practices and guidelines outlining work roles and responsibilities.

OHS may include:

Australian standards

development of site safety plan

identification of potential hazards

inspection of work sites

training staff in OHS requirements

use of equipment and signage.

Suitability may include:

assessment of whether the spatial data will meet the required specification of:

accuracy

completeness

coverage

density

logical consistency.

Availability includes:

assessment of whether the spatial data can be obtained and used for client requirements.

Constraints may include:

administrative

copyright

financial

legal and legislative

technical limitations.

Unit sector

Spatial information services

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged, will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.