This unit applies to individuals engaged in ongoing review and research in order to identify and apply new technology or techniques to improve aspects of the organisation's activities.
The unit emphasises the importance of constantly reviewing work processes, skills and techniques to ensure that the quality of the entire business process is maintained at the highest level possible through the appropriate application of new technology.
Not applicable.
1. Prepare to use new technology | 1.1 Review organisation’s goals and activities 1.2 Research new operational technologies that will advance the organisation’s goals and activities 1.3 Prepare evaluation checklist 1.4 Evaluate and select the most appropriate technologies 1.5 Acquire selected technology 1.6 Identify and use new or upgraded equipment where appropriate, for the benefit of the organisation |
2. Use technology to assist in solving organisational problems | 2.1 Conduct testing of new or upgraded equipment 2.2 Use features and functions of new or upgraded equipment and software within the organisation 2.3 Access and use sources of information relating to new or upgraded equipment |
3. Evaluate new or upgraded technology performance | 3.1 Evaluate new or upgraded equipment for performance and usability against OHS standards and evaluation criteria 3.2 Determine environmental considerations from new or upgraded equipment 3.3 Seek feedback from users, where appropriate 3.4 Document new technology in a method consistent with organisation’s guidelines |
Required skills
analytical skills to evaluate features and functions of new equipment and software
communication skills to:
communicate with peers and supervisors
seek assistance and expert advice
seek feedback from users
literacy skills to interpret technical documentation, equipment manuals and specifications
planning and organisational skills to prioritise and monitor own work
safety awareness skills to work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment
research skills to locate appropriate sources of information regarding IT and new technologies
technical skills to:
assist in the decision-making process
identify features of new technologies
test and evaluate new software and equipment.
Required knowledge
current technology trends and directions in IT:
hardware
new developments
new protocols
services
software
current industry hardware and software products, with broad knowledge of general features and capabilities
information-gathering techniques
vendor product directions relating to specified technology.
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 new and emerging technology in IT conduct testing and evaluate new equipment for the benefit of the organisation use features and functions of new technologies, including software and equipment. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: site where new technology may be used new equipment and software currently used in industry documents detailing OHS standards, environmental guidelines and organisational requirements 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: verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of features and functions of new technology direct observation of candidate using new technology review of evaluation prepared by candidate evaluating upgraded technology performance evaluation of currency of appropriate technology. |
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. |
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.
Technology | communications equipment hardware networks personal computers (PCs) storage. |
Equipment may include: | hard drives hubs tablet modems and other connectivity devices, such as digital subscriber line (DSL) modems monitors other peripheral devices PCs personal digital assistant (PDA) printers switches workstations. |
Software may include: | commercial software packages customer relationship management enterprise systems (corporate systems) integrated services: banking financial services user-based software for new business processes. |
Sources of information may include: | appliance software and technical connections guidance and other outputs supplied by vendors and manufacturers documents test pages web pages. |
OHS standards may relate to: | correct lifting methods correct posture length of time in front of computer light position lighting physical safety considerations: general electrical safety and cabling power supply and leads applying to computer and peripheral installations repetitive strain injury prevention style of chair type of desk type of monitor typing position ventilation. |
Environmental considerations may include: | correct disposal by an authorised body of redundant hardware: circuit boards hard drives motherboards recycling safe disposal of packaging: cardboard paper plastic polystyrene. |
Feedback may include: | interviews meetings questionnaires surveys. |
General ICT
This unit contains employability skills.
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.