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.

May be in reference to the business, system, application, network or people in the organisation; there may be a business need or opportunity that must be addressed

May include but is not limited to network, application, software, business, computers, financial system, management system and information system

May include but is not limited to interviews, questionnaires, surveys, focus groups or observation

May include but is not limited to internal departments, external organisations, individual people and employees

May include ISO/IEC/AS standards, audit trails, naming standards, version control, project management templates and report writing principles

May include a supervisor, teacher, authorised business representative or client

May include but are not limited to system functionality, geography, environment, client user and cost constraints

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.
Critical aspects of evidence
Assessment must confirm sufficient knowledge of investigation, interview and documentation techniques, and the ability to produce a clear statement of business expectations and needs, including critical business requirements.

Knowledge and skills
Detailed knowledge of the client business area
Broad knowledge of data gathering techniques
Software products related to data capture
Features and capabilities, with detailed knowledge in areas related to the client
Broad knowledge of the role of stakeholders and the degree of stakeholder involvement
Detailed knowledge of the organisation's current functionality
Physical requirements of the client's business, taking into account current system functionality, geography, environment, client user and cost constraints
Problem solving skills for a defined range of unpredictable problems involving participation in the development of strategic initiatives
Communication skills in relation to analysis, evaluation and presentation of information (e.g. when questionnaires or material needed for workshops and interviews are developed and trialled)
Teamwork skills involving the contribution to solutions
Group facilitation and presentation skills in relation to transferring and collecting information and gaining consensus
Research skills for specifying, analysing and evaluating broad features of a particular business domain

Assessment guidance
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. The interdependence of units for assessment purposes may vary with the particular project or scenario.

In the case of this unit, it could be assessed in a holistic manner with:

ICAA4047B Determine project specifications and secure client agreement
ICAD4043B Develop and present a feasibility report

Resources

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

Business current needs
A client expectations brief
Business objectives

Role context
Determining and confirming client business needs is essential if cost, quality and timelines are to be planned accurately.
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.
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.

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 industy products and services