ICASAD506A
Produce a feasibility report

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to recommend the preferred scenario from a range of feasible options offered to the client.

Application

This unit applies to individuals performing a senior systems analyst role who are required to investigate solutions to an information and communications technology (ICT) project.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Confirm client requirements

1.1 Confirm client requirements to determine project scope, and the problem context or opportunity faced by the business

1.2 Review documented client requirements, project scope, related problems and sources of information

1.3 Confirm requirements and scope with the client

2. Examine and review alternatives

2.1 Ensure that future client requirements are addressed

2.2 Research and document feasible solutions for client requirements

2.3 Ensure that the feasibility of each solution has been assessed, including constraints

3. Prepare and publish feasibility report

3.1 Ensure that the completed feasibility report covers client requirements, project scope and analysis of alternative scenarios

3.2 Confirm the recommendation of the preferred scenario

3.3 Present feasibility report to appropriate person for project approval

Required Skills

Required skills

analytical skills to:

analyse the results of feasibility tests applied to options

identify, analyse and evaluate details of a particular business domain

communication skills to:

liaise and negotiate with clients and colleagues

present information

literacy skills to:

analyse and evaluate information and organisational requirements

review documents prepared by others

write business reports

numeracy skills to:

apply financial feasibility analysis to options

evaluate the results

planning and organisational skills to:

determine project scope, time, cost and quality

plan communications and risk management

research skills to locate and evaluate solutions to business requirement

technical skills to:

identify, analyse and evaluate best practice in system development

interpret technical documentation.

Required knowledge

client business domain

role of stakeholders and the degree of stakeholder involvement

system's current functionality

two or more current industry systems development methodologies.

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 ability to:

manage and review work done by others in the:

identification of required services

scope of a project

solutions to client’s requirements that fit within the constraints

review a prepared feasibility report.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

contributions to a feasibility report

client requirements

report-writing template

client expectations brief

information on a range of IT business solutions

future organisational business processes

budgets for scenarios

outcomes of the business-analysis process

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:

direct observation of a candidate analysing client’s requirements with their team

verbal and written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of:

client requirements

business context

factors required to present solutions

feasibility

financial modelling

review of an approved feasibility report with contributions from the candidate's team.

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.


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.

Client requirements may refer to:

applications

business opportunities

network

people in the organisation

problems with or opportunities for a business

system.

Project may include:

business improvement process

ebusiness solution involving the total organisation or part of the organisation

projects involving a business undertaking a total organisational change

scope:

budget

feasibility

features

hardware

legal constraints

policy

resource

software

time

systems-only change.

Related problems may relate to:

routine or non-routine problems that may affect the immediate work environment or project outcome, particularly relating to meeting client requirements.

Sources of information may include:

business-strategic plans

change-management plans

current systems-design plans

project-management plans.

Client may include:

external organisation

individual

internal department

internal employee.

Feasibility may include:

economic and schedule feasibility as well as the principal inputs and outputs

expected improvements or impacts

operational feasibility

physical requirements of each solution

revenue and cost-benefits

risks

technical feasibility.

Solution may include:

hardware upgrades

implementing a new system

new hardware

new software

software upgrades

user training.

Constraints may include:

budget

hardware

legal constraints

policy

resource

software

time.

Appropriate person may include:

authorised business representative

client

supervisor.


Sectors

Systems analysis and design


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

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.