ICTNWK515
Develop configuration management protocols


Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop administrative and technical procedures throughout the life cycle of a system, network, software and documentation project.

It applies to individuals working in a variety of information and communications technology (ICT) areas who develop and manage tasks that facilitate the development of a system, such as version control and naming standards.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Establish configuration management requirements

1.1 Establish identification standards for naming and version control of system, network, software and documentation to align with organisational needs

1.2 Establish tools and procedures for the required level of integration into the programming, system or network environment

1.3 Determine responsibilities for configuration management within the project and for ongoing support, including approval of changes

1.4 Determine the appropriate points for configuration of particular items

2. Establish control mechanisms

2.1 Establish methods for identification and recording of change requests in line with organisational guidelines

2.2 Establish acceptance criteria, test and acceptance processes and processes for approval of change requests in line with organisational guidelines

2.3 Establish security, access and management control criteria and quality benchmarks

2.4 Determine necessary audit trails and alerts for variations or non-conformance

3. Establish monitoring mechanisms

3.1 Establish mechanisms to identify software status throughout the software life cycle, or the status of the system or network during upgrading or reconfiguration

3.2 Determine management of records and status reports, including the history of baselines and their links to backups

3.3 Define target audiences and determine the level of detail required in the status reports

3.4 Integrate configuration management into general project management processes for monitoring and control purposes

3.5 Document control and monitoring mechanisms

4. Manage the release of the product to clients

4.1 Determine physical and functional completeness of items prior to release

4.2 Determine requirements for formal control of software products and documentation

4.3 Determine policies for retention of baseline and master copies in line with safety, security and legislative requirements and organisational guidelines

Evidence of Performance

Evidence of the ability to:

develop technical and administrative procedures for use during the software life cycle, system or network reconfiguration or the upgrade process, including:

quality processes

audit trials

version control

configuration management procedures.

Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.


Evidence of Knowledge

To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:

explain benchmarking methodologies

outline configuration management

summarise control mechanisms, such as acceptance criteria, test and acceptance processes, and security, access and management control criteria

explain monitoring mechanisms

identify and describe standards, benchmarks and organisational guidelines that impact on management protocols

outline project planning methodologies and tools

summarise quality assurance and quality processes

clarify safety, security and legislative requirements

explain software development methodologies.


Assessment Conditions

Gather evidence to demonstrate consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the network industry, and include access to:

Computer aided software engineering (CASE) tools

future organisational business processes

organisational standards for documentation and version control

project budget and timeframe

project management process and hierarchy

legislation and organisational guidelines

technical specifications

test plans.

Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.


Foundation Skills

This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.

Skill

Performance Criteria

Description

Reading

1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 4.3

Recognises and interprets legislative, organisational and technical material to determine job requirements

Writing

1.1, 1.2, 2.1-2.3, 3.5, 4.2

Develops a broad range of materials, such as administrative procedures, for a specific audience using clear and detailed language to convey explicit information, requirements and recommendations

Navigate the world of work

4.3

Understands own legal rights and responsibilities, and is extending understanding of general legal principles applicable across work contexts

Interact with others

1.3

Collaborates with others to achieve joint outcomes, playing a lead role in facilitating consensus

Get the work done

1.2-1.4, 2.1-2.4, 3.1- 3.4, 4.1, 4.2

Develops plans to manage relatively complex, non-routine tasks with an awareness of how they may contribute to longer term operational and strategic goals

Uses formal and informal processes to monitor implementation of solutions

Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of principles, concepts, language and practices associated with the digital world

Uses digital tools to access and organise complex data and analyse multiple sources of information for strategic purposes

Is acutely aware of the importance of understanding, monitoring and controlling access to digitally stored and transmitted information, and reflects on outcomes


Sectors

Networking