Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to coordinate geographic information system (GIS) data manipulation and analysis to meet client specifications. The unit covers analysing client needs and GIS data format requirements and developing procedures; assessing the applicability of existing tools, models, theories and applications; and developing models to achieve the required outcome, including feasible parameters, equations and assumptions. The unit also covers verifying data source integrity and manipulating and analysing data for presentation. The unit requires the ability to use computers and GIS software as well as querying and programming languages to capture geographic information, obtain information from databases, and create layers on maps. It also requires the ability to comply with organisational and legal requirements relating to client consultation and data ownership.
The unit supports those who work in a lead role in a surveying or spatial information services team in areas such as surveying, town planning, cartography, mapping and GIS.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency at the time of endorsement.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. | ||
1. | Prepare to meet client GIS data needs. | 1.1. | Client requirements and project specifications for GIS data format are determined in consultation with appropriate persons. |
1.2. | Parameters for data manipulation and analysis are specified according to project specifications. | ||
1.3. | New procedures for manipulating and analysing data to meet project specifications are documented. | ||
2. | Establish GIS data models. | 2.1. | Applicability of existing tools, models, theories, applications and solutions is reviewed against project specifications. |
2.2. | Feasible parameters, equations and assumptions are developed according to project specifications. | ||
2.3. | Models are established to meet project specifications according to organisational requirements. | ||
3. | Manipulate and analyse GIS data. | 3.1. | Processes for data manipulation and analysis are determined and used to meet project specifications. |
3.2. | Source data limitations and other restricting factors are analysed to ensure data integrity, and problems are identified and resolved or contingencies are managed. | ||
3.3. | Data is isolated and retrieved from source, and interrogated to ensure reliability according to project specifications. | ||
3.4. | Data is manipulated and prepared for presentation media, and project is finalised according to organisational requirements. | ||
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy the requirements of the elements, performance criteria, foundation skills and range of conditions of this unit. The person must also coordinate geographic information system (GIS) data manipulation and analysis to meet client needs for two different projects.
While coordinating the above GIS data manipulation and analysis projects, the person must:
negotiate with clients regarding data format requirements
conduct research to source geographic information
develop parameters, equations and assumptions to meet task requirements
develop procedures and establish models for data analysis that meet established client specifications for data format
analyse data sources to verify data integrity to ensure:
accuracy
completeness
confidence limits
currency
quality
resolution
scale
build up elements of a database
capture geographic information
manipulate and analyse datasets using general query and programming languages, scripts and command lines
use GIS software to manipulate and analyse data for display on a map
comply with organisational and legal requirements for:
client consultation
data ownership, including accessing and using spatial data, including copyright, intellectual property, data privacy and trade practices
comply with organisational requirements for recording data and completing documentation, and using screen-based equipment.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
data reduction and manipulation techniques
database structures and spatial features of databases
line instructions and programming languages to capture geographic information
methods for creating layers on maps
querying and browsing techniques for obtaining information from databases
types of spatial data formats
organisational and legal requirements for accessing and using spatial data, including copyright, intellectual property, and trade practices
organisational policies and procedures relating to:
accessing, recording and storing spatial data
communicating with clients and end users
completing records and documentation
custodianship of data
using computer systems and software to manipulate GIS data.
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
computer and software appropriate for manipulating GIS data
specifications:
organisational policies, procedures and documentation relating to data privacy and information copyright
physical conditions:
access to equipped work station
relationships with team members and supervisor:
working in a team.
relationships with clients:
client consultation required.
Timeframe:
as specified by task and organisational requirements.
Assessor requirements
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.
Foundation Skills
This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Skill | Performance feature |
Initiative and enterprise skills to: | translate client requirements into model design. |
Numeracy skills to: | perform data reductions. |
Oral communication skills to: | negotiate data solutions with clients. |
Reading skills to: | interpret graphical information in maps interpret technical information obtained from external datasets. |
Writing skills to: | record details of quality improvements. |
Technology skills to: | use querying commands to obtain information from databases use a computer and software to create layers on maps. |
Problem-solving skills to: | identify deficiencies in existing procedures and models. |
Range Statement
This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. | |
Appropriate persons must include at least one of the following: | client colleague end user manager spatial data supplier. |
Sectors
Surveying and spatial information services