ICASAS201A
Maintain inventories for equipment, software and documentation

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to record and store details of software, hardware and technical documentation.

Application

This unit applies to frontline technical support personnel who maintain equipment and software in a small to large office environment. The technical documentation of the equipment and software within this role is a key component of any information and communications technology (ICT) environment.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Document and update inventory

1.1 Maintain hardware inventory that creates a profile or description of each piece of equipment

1.2 Maintain software inventory and update licences as required, particularly when upgrading software

1.3 Record and organise storage of user documentation or technical manuals

2. Store technical documentation

2.1 Store hardware, software and equipment that is not in use, according to technical manuals

2.2 Ensure technical documentation is stored securely

2.3 Access and disseminate technical documentation as required

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

liaise with users across a range of organisational levels

provide limited advice and guidance to users

seek assistance when required

initiative and enterprise skills to identify potential improvements to inventories and technical documentation

literacy skills to read, write and interpret workplace documentation

problem-solving skills for a defined range of predictable problems

technical skills to operate a personal computer.

Required knowledge

basic knowledge of:

technical documentation processes

software licensing requirements

inventory principles and procedures

current industry practice related to storage of hardware, software and technical documentation.

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:

update and maintain software, equipment and technical documentation inventory, according to identified storage and retrieval policy and procedures

adhere to software licensing requirements, according to vendor specifications

access and regularly keep inventories up-to-date.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

personal computer and enterprise intranet

currently used inventory management software

appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified 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 candidate accessing inventories of software and hardware

direct observation of candidate maintaining an inventory

review of completed inventory reports for different inventory types and scenarios

direct observation of candidate reviewing the status of software licences and reporting on their status

review of software inventory prepared by candidate outlining updates to licences when upgrading software.

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, used if 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.

Hardware inventory may include:

communications equipment

networking equipment

notebooks

peripherals

personal computers

personal digital assistants (PDAs)

test equipment.

Software inventory may include:

antivirus applications

backup and recovery applications

client management suite

collaboration and learning

commercial applications

computer-aided design applications

customised software

drivers

in-house software

multimedia and graphics applications

office applications

open-source software

operating systems

packaged software

patch management

project management applications

remote troubleshooting and assistance.

Technical documentation may include:

enterprise procedures:

build documentation

loading software

upgrades

virus removal

frequently asked questions (FAQ)

hardware documentation

information pertaining to specific operating systems and platforms

service level agreements (SLAs)

software documentation.


Sectors

Systems administration and support


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.