Unit of competency details

Version 

Comments 

ICAWEB404A

This version first released with ICA11 Information and Communications Technology Training Package version 1.0

Element 

Performance Criteria 

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.

1. Benchmark website performance

1.1 Review client  performance expectations from specifications  and business requirements 

1.2 Test administration and maintenance requirements  against specifications and business requirements

1.3 Establish performance benchmarks from specifications and business requirements

1.4 Ensure performance benchmarks are tested

1.5 Record measured performance benchmarks against specifications

2. Track website performance

2.1 Measure actual website performance against performance benchmarks in key areas and record outcomes

2.2 Establish procedures and policies  for maintaining stability of actions and processes related to the website

2.3 Identify faults or suggest improvements to the website

2.4 Implement improvements according to business requirements and organisational policy and procedures

2.5 Establish automatic fault reporting procedures and processes

2.6 Monitor and maintain website security measures

2.7 Implement administration and maintenance schedules

2.8 Establish preventative maintenance and administration indicators and ensure an alert system  is enabled

2.9 Track user activities and make changes to policies or procedures, depending on findings

3. Tune performance

3.1 Compare actual website performance against benchmarks over an appropriate period and make changes based on inconsistencies

3.2 Record performance inconsistencies and incorporate learning into revised policy and procedures

3.3 Use diagnostic and software  tools to identify and correct website faults

3.4 Plan and action preventative maintenance on a regular basis, to ensure continuous and consistent performance of website

3.5 Complete and record fault correction and maintenance reports

4. Initiate and monitor performance improvement

4.1 Establish a mechanism for capturing client initiatives to assist in identifying maintenance or administration process performance problems

4.2 Review security tools and procedures and conduct improvements where necessary

4.3 Document and implement maintenance schedules

4.4 Review maintenance and administration documentation  according to policy and procedures, in order to identify areas for performance improvement

4.5 Update the website on a regular basis, including information, links, multimedia links and back-end software

4.6 Provide a timely and appropriate response to client to provide improvement or maintenance suggestions

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the ability to:

• maintain website performance against benchmarks
• ensure that website meets specifications
• identify and rectify faults where performance criteria are not met
• implement scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance
• effectively monitor and tune website performance.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure access to:

• web servers and websites
• technical requirements
• web-traffic diagnostic tools, including timing tools to gauge website response times
• appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Testing the website under different conditions of load is essential to understanding how it behaves from the client's perspective. Thus, testing tools should include some way of simulating traffic from numerous users.

Operations must be according to organisational policy and procedures.

Managing the performance of a website should be done under competent supervision where there is a clearly defined range of contexts for ensuring that ongoing demands on the site are met.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified 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:

• verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of policy and procedures related to website performance, with theoretical knowledge of security issues
• observation of candidate maintaining website performance against benchmarks
• review of supporting documentation of the candidate’s ability to manage website performance.

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.

Client  may include:

• employees
• external organisations
• individuals
• internal departments.

Specifications  may include:

• current system functionality
• technical requirements
• user problem statement.

Business requirements  may include:

• customer
• inventory
• payroll
• supplier
• tax requirements of the organisation.

Requirements  may relate to:

• application
• business
• network
• people in the organisation
• system.

Policies  may include:

• awareness raising policy
• forensic procedures
• incident response procedures
• network intrusion detection systems
• training.

System  may include:

• hardware
• software components that run a computer.

Software  may include:

• commercial
• customised software
• in-house
• packaged.

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.