Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:29 AM AWST
22/07/2026 10:29 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Undertake IT system capacity planning
Undertake IT system capacity planning
Unit of competency
National Code
ICASAS417A
ICASAS417A
State Code
D8079
D8079
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
04/11/2011
Field of Education
020305 - Systems Analysis And Design
Original Release Date
04/11/2011
Nominal Hours
50
Description
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.
Notes
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
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:
application
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:
application
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.
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:
application
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:
application
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.
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.
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.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D0203 | ICAS4116B | Undertake capacity planning | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUW59 | ICTSAS417 | Undertake ICT system capacity planning | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D557 | ICA40111 | Certificate IV in Information Technology | Qualification |