ICAB4064B
Prepare software development review

This unit defines the competency required to establish standards associated with IT technical requirements in the context of quality assurance processes applicable to software development.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Review software standards

1.1. Ensure that stakeholders have an understanding of the organisationalrequirements

1.2. Document softwarestandards according to projectstandards

2. Review implementation standards

2.1. Assign software standards to functions according to detailed technical plan

2.2. Take action to ensure that communication and distribution strategies are clear, coherent and meet overall project plan requirements

2.3. Monitor and report on implementation of standards against acceptance criteria and detailed technical specifications

3. Review software metrics and milestones

3.1. Define metrics in relation to the project milestones, and timeframe and cost considerations

3.2. Develop schedule of quality reviews

3.3. Determine quality considerations by identifying in-process measurement points that relate to critical organisationalrequirements

3.4. Determine method to benchmark and scale achievement against stated stakeholders requirements and cost considerations

3.5. Report metrics and milestones to stakeholders in a clear and coherent manner and take action to ensure written agreement

Required Skills

Required skills

Data modelling skills for identifying, analysing and evaluating a range of solutions.

Problem solving skills for a defined range of unpredictable problems involving participation in the development of technical solutions.

Design and analysis skills for identifying, analysing and evaluating a range of solutions.

Communication skills in relation to analysis, evaluation and presentation of information (e.g. when all stakeholders are cognisant of the organisational standards and agree to adherence, and when communication and distribution strategies are clear, coherent and meet overall project plan requirements).

Negotiation and influencing skills (e.g. when metrics and milestones are conveyed to client and developers in a clear and coherent manner, and their agreement in writing is ensured).

Risk assessment skills for identifying, analysing and evaluating a range of solutions.

Required knowledge

Broad general knowledge of the client business domain (e.g. when reviewing implementation standards).

Broad knowledge of quality assurance practices and the identification of standards (e.g. when reviewing software standards, software metrics and milestones).

Current industry-accepted software configuration management processes, with knowledge of general features and capabilities.

Broad knowledge of software metrics development.

Evidence Required

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 the ability to establish the standards associated with the IT technical requirements, taking into account quality assurance processes that are in place for the development of software.

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

Technical specifications

Organisational standards for documentation and version control

Project management process and hierarchy

Future organisational business processes

Software requirements specifications

Interface requirements specifications

System requirements

Design specifications

Project budget, timeframe

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Preparing a software development review will usually include observation of real or simulated software processes and procedures.

Data used in preparing the development review should be validated and come from other projects or related organisational activities.

The breadth, depth and complexity of knowledge and skills in this competency would cover a broad range of varied activities or application in a wider variety of contexts most of which are complex and non-routine. Leadership and guidance would be involved when organising activities of self and others as well as contributing to technical solutions of a non-routine or contingency nature.

Assessment must ensure:

Performance of a broad range of skilled applications including the requirement to evaluate and analyse current practices, develop new criteria and procedures for performing current practices and provision of some leadership and guidance to others in the application and planning of the skills would be characteristic.

Applications may involve responsibility for, and limited organisation of, others.

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.

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of a broad knowledge base incorporating some theoretical concepts

Apply solutions to a defined range of unpredictable problems

Identify and apply skill and knowledge areas to a wide variety of contexts, with depth in some areas

Identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources

Take responsibility for own outputs in relation to specified quality standards

Take limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services


Range Statement

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.

Stakeholders may include:

sponsor

user

development team

project team

Organisationalrequirements may include but is not limited to:

how and what the organisation wants in regard to work environment

problem solution processes

preventative maintenance and diagnostic policy

roles and technical responsibilities in the IT department

vendor and product service-level support agreements

Standards may include:

ISO/IEC/AS standards

organisational standards

project standards (for further information refer to the Standards Australia website at: www.standards.com.au)

Java coding standards, GNU coding standard

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

Communication may include:

verbal methods (e.g. telephone, meetings, video conferencing)

non-verbal methods (e.g. written messages, emails, memos)

Project standards may include but is not limited to:

development methodology

reporting mechanisms

project plan

change control

quality of software modules

sharing of code/libraries

ease of modification and maintenance

delivery against required milestones and budget


Sectors

Unit sector

Build


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Refer to Unit Descriptor