Elements and Performance Criteria

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 but is not limited to:
hardware and software components that run a computer or network
Fault finding tool
For networking: Ping, trace route, Telnet, protocol analysers, operating system tools, mapping tools, the OSI layered model
For programming: Trace, debug, break points, compilers
For systems analysts: There are no specific tools for systems analysts, they are the conduit between the implementers (programmers or net workers) and the users. They may have to review design criteria after user feedback to improve system performance or rectify faults in design or implementation
Problem may be in reference to:
problems with the business
system
application
network
people in the organisation
Solution may include but is not limited to:
new hardware
hardware upgrades
new software
software upgrades
user training
business processes
implementing a new system

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 choose the best fault finding method for a situation/scenario, and apply it in a structured, methodical manner.

To demonstrate competency in this unit the person will require access to:
System to be diagnosed
Diagnostic and fault finding tools
Technical and system documentation
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Troubleshooting and fault finding are universal competencies used by most IT practitioners and operate at all stages of the systems life cycle. These activities apply procedures for localizing and diagnosing equipment or system malfunctions or anomalies, typically by systematic examination progressing from higher to lower levels of assembly.

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.

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.
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 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.

Competency in this unit can be assessed in a live environment provided the assessor has a prior knowledge of the outcome, or in a simulated or fire walled environment.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
ICAS4109B Evaluate system status
ICAT4242B Perform unit test for a class

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