Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

software applications external to the database server
the server software or may be inbuilt to the server software

relational databases
object-relational databases
proprietary databases
commercial off the shelf (COTS) database packages

Operating system: Novell NetWare 5 or above or any operating system that has multi-user ability, Linux, Mac OS, Windows 2000 or above
Database software: Oracle, Sybase, Microsoft SQL server, Ingres, DB2, Informix, mSQL, MySQL, SQL server
Configuration: small memory model, large memory model, requests per second

improvements to response time
simultaneous access
latch contention
record or table locking
compacting database files
repairing the database
splitting database files
archiving old records
creating indexes
preventing events causing waits

proprietary extensions: AS/NZS 3968.0:1994 Information technology - database languages - SQL - definition of data structures and basic operations

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 following is essential:

Assessment must confirm the ability to correctly identify and solve common database problems to improve database performance.

To demonstrate competency in this unit the following resources will be needed:

Diagnostic tools
Database operating on a network

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Resolving database issues can be complex and take considerable time. The core role in this competency is to take part in common database performance problem solving.
All database applications can be performance enhanced with special care and code optimisations.
This unit should be flexible enough to allow for the creation of specialised database programs that are poor in performance so that problem solving processes can be applied.
There are many open source database offerings that may provide a suitable code base from which to work.
The breadth, depth and complexity of knowledge and skills in this competency would cover a broad range of varied activities or application in a wider variety of contexts most of which are complex and non-routine. Leadership and guidance would be involved when organising activities of self and others as well as contributing to technical solutions of a non-routine or contingency nature.

Assessment must ensure:

Performance of a broad range of skilled applications including the requirement to evaluate and analyse current practices, develop new criteria and procedures for performing current practices and provision of some leadership and guidance to others in the application and planning of the skills would be characteristic.
Applications may involve responsibility for, and limited organisation of, others.

Method of assessment
The purpose of this unit is to define the standard of performance to be achieved in the workplace. In undertaking training and assessment activities related to this unit, consideration should be given to the implementation of appropriate diversity and accessibility practices in order to accommodate people who may have special needs. Additional guidance on these and related matters is provided in ICA05 Section 1.
Competency in this unit should to be assessed using summative assessment to ensure consistency of performance in a range of contexts. This unit can be assessed either in the workplace or in a simulated environment. However, simulated activities must closely reflect the workplace to enable full demonstration of competency.
Assessment will usually include observation of real or simulated work processes and procedures and/or performance in a project context as well as questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills. The questioning of team members, supervisors, subordinates, peers and clients where appropriate may provide valuable input to the assessment process.

Guidance information for assessment

The interdependence of units for assessment purposes may vary with the particular project or scenario. Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICAB4060B Identify physical database requirements
ICAB4061B Monitor physical database implementation
ICAB4136B Use structured query language to create database structures and manipulate
ICAS4108B Complete database back-up and recovery
ICAS4125B Monitor and administer a database

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Determine performance benchmarks from a database code structure
Apply solutions to improve database performance
Interpret available information and request clarification where needed
Take responsibility for outputs in work and learning situations

Additionally, an individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of a broad knowledge base incorporating some theoretical concepts
Apply solutions to a defined range of unpredictable problems
Identify and apply skill and knowledge areas to a wide variety of contexts, with depth in some areas
Identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources
Take responsibility for own outputs in relation to specified quality standards
Take limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others
Maintain knowledge of industry products and services