Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit defines the competency required to determine client business requirements and verify the accuracy of the information gathered.

The following units are linked and form an appropriate cluster:

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

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

Application of the unit 

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Determine context of business need or problem

1.1. Establish the business problem  to be investigated including determination of system  boundaries, scope and the development methodology to be used

1.2. Choose information gathering method  and develop questions appropriate to business problem 

1.3. Develop objectives and identify expected outcomes to be achieved

1.4. Document the business problem 

1.5. Submit documentation  to appropriate person  for substantiation

2. Gather information

2.1. Use chosen information gathering method  to identify clients  of the system  and problems  they encounter

2.2. Record client  responses

2.3. Analyse gathered information to identify new system requirements  and establish problem  specifications

2.4. Document system requirements  and problems 

2.5. Analyse physical requirements and identify changes required to implement new systems

3. Confirm system specifications

3.1. Check documentation  to ensure it meets client  business needs

3.2. Submit documentation  to the client  for verification of accuracy and approval

3.3. Make changes to the documentation  as necessary as indicated by the client 

3.4. Submit documentation  to client  for final approval/sign-off

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• 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

Required knowledge 

• 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

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 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.

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

• Business current needs
• A client expectations brief
• Business objectives

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

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.

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:

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

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

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.

Problem  may be in reference to:

• business
• system
• application
• network
• people in the organisation; there may be a business need or opportunity that must be addressed

System  may include but is not limited to:

• network equipment
• cabling infrastructure
• application
• software
• business
• computers
• financial system
• management system
• information system

Information gathering method  may include but is not limited to:

• interviews
• questionnaires
• surveys
• focus groups or observation
• physical site surveys
• vendor offerings

Client  may include but is not limited to:

• internal departments
• external organisations
• customers
• individual people
• employees

Documentation  may include:

• ISO/IEC/IEEE/IETF/AS standards
• audit trails
• naming standards
• version control
• project management templates
• report writing principles

Appropriate person  may include:

• a supervisor
• teacher
• authorised business representative
• client

System requirements  may include but is not limited to:

• system functionality
• geography
• environment
• client user
• cost constraints

Unit sector 

Analyse and Design

Co-requisite units 

Competency field