ICASAS417A
Undertake IT system capacity planning

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to monitor and assess the current and future capacity requirements of an IT system, plan future enhancements and install the identified enhancements.This unit also establishes the general concepts and methodology involved in performing capacity planning, so that one can adapt the testing to a business.

Application

This unit applies to experienced technical support personnel, such as planners, IT support technicians, and user support specialists responsible for monitoring computing capacity to ensure continuity of service. They generally work under little supervision.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Analyse existing system capacity

1.1 Review the existing system configuration information, both hardware and software, to determine capacity issues

1.2 Investigate the current workload of the system and analyse its effect on the capacity to perform

1.3 Examine the current service level agreement to determine agreed-upon capacity standards

1.4 Examine and analyse the fault logs for those caused by capacity problems

1.5 Discuss and review capacity issues with users

1.6 Document the information gathered about the existing system workload and capacity according to organisational guidelines

2. Determine future capacity requirements

2.1 Interview the user in order to gather data about future capacity requirements of the system

2.2 Organise and analyse the future requirements data and then evaluate to obtain a forecast workload for the system

2.3 Using the data and information gathered, compare the existing workload with the forecast workload and evaluate, to determine capacity problem areas

2.4 Estimate the resources and equipment required to resolve predicted capacity problems

2.5 Undertake a financial analysis of the estimated capacity requirements

2.6 Organise and document information according to organisational guidelines

2.7 Evaluate documentation in order to create a report, detailing recommendations for capacity enhancements, for presentation to appropriate person

3. Develop plan for capacity enhancements

3.1 Develop a plan for implementing the recommended enhancements, with prioritised tasks and minimum disruption to users

3.2 Factor into the implementation plan the availability of finances, staff and other requirements

3.3 Submit the implementation plan to appropriate person for approval and revision

4. Install capacity enhancements

4.1 Install the capacity enhancements according to installation procedures, organisational guidelines and implementation plan

4.2 Measure the increase in capacity and performance resulting from installed equipment in order to assess that capacity requirements have been met

4.3 Update documentation according to organisational guidelines to reflect the capacity enhancements

5. Monitor ongoing capacity requirements

5.1 Monitor and assess the impact of new technology and application development on capacity and performance

5.2 Implement and maintain a performance database

5.3 Review and assess benchmarks and performance regularly with work team to enable timely capacity enhancements and updates of benchmarks

Required Skills

Required skills

analytical skills to:

evaluate current practices

evaluate documentation to create a report, detailing recommendations for capacity enhancements

examine and analyse the fault logs for those caused by capacity problems

investigate the current workload of the system and its effect on the capacity to perform

review the existing system configuration information to determine capacity issues

communication skills to deal with other team members, clients and vendors

literacy skills to:

interpret technical manuals and forecasting data

process and present written and verbal information

planning and organisational skills to:

allow for scheduled maintenance, budgeting and costing, and communications

develop new criteria and procedures for performing current practices

develop plans with prioritised tasks

make contingency arrangements

minimise disruption to client

prepare time lines

ensure quality assurance and risk management

problem-solving skills to resolve problems through developing capacity planning initiatives

technical skills to:

modify current system to incorporate the planned changes

oversee installation of hardware and software elements.

Required knowledge

detailed knowledge of system's current functionality

overview knowledge of:

component performance management

current industry-accepted hardware and software products, including their general features and capabilities

key features of financial analysis

client business domain

performance monitoring tools

quality assurance practices with regard to proposed IT capability enhancements

service level agreements relating to proposed IT capability enhancements

role of stakeholders and the degree of stakeholder involvement.

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:

monitor and accurately assess current and future capacity requirements of a system

predict capacity requirements resulting from business growth, with forecasts being realistic and achievable

plan and install capacity enhancements

create and maintain required documentation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

live system

service level agreements

fault logs

users

hardware components for installation

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:

review of:

report detailing recommendations for capacity enhancements based on a financial analysis and resources and equipment required

implementation plan for recommended enhancements, with prioritised tasks and minimum disruption to users

direct observation of:

installing the capacity enhancements following installation procedures, organisational guidelines and implementation plan

measuring the improved capacity and performance resulting from capacity enhancements

evaluation of performance database implemented and maintained

verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of:

industry products, services and practices

techniques of capacity planning.

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.

System may include:

hardware components that run a computer

software components that run a computer.

Hardware may include:

modems or other connectivity devices

networks

personal computers

remote sites

servers

workstations.

Software may include:

application software:

database

internet browser

spreadsheet

word-processing

commercial

customised software

in-house

programming software:

assembler

compiler

development tools

system software:

computer security software

device drivers

operating system.

Service level agreementmay include:

application service providers (ASPs)

business processes and requirements

charge back to business units

communications carriers

expectations regarding:

audit of service levels

service levels

penalties

infrastructure services

internet service providers (ISPs)

vendor products

workload and performance considerations.

Problems may relate to:

business

business need or opportunity that must be addressed

network

people in the organisation

system.

Users may include:

departments within the organisation

persons within a department

third parties.

Organisational guidelines may include:

communication methods

content of emails

dispute resolution

document procedures and templates

downloading information and accessing particular websites

financial control mechanisms

opening mail with attachments

personal use of emails and internet access

virus risk.

Requirements may relate to:

business

network

people in the organisation

system.

Forecast workload may be determined from:

application development personnel

competitive pressures

corporate business plans

economic trends

outside influences, such as legal requirements

trends in existing workload

user interviews

user questionnaires.

Equipment may include:

hard drives

hubs

modems or other connectivity devices

monitors

other peripheral devices

personal computers

personal digital assistant (PDA)

printers

switches

workstations.

Documentation may follow:

audit trails

International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and Australian Standards (AS) standards

naming standards

project management templates

report writing principles

version control.

Appropriate person may include:

authorised business representative

client

project manager

supervisor.

Database may include:

DB2

Informix

Ingres

Microsoft Structured Query Language (MS SQL) server

Mini SQL (mSQL)

MySQL

Oracle

Sybase.


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.