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.
Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:
Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes
AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM) Volume 1
AS/NZS 3000:2007
AS/NZS 3080:2003
AS/NZS 3084:2003
AS/NZS 3085.1:2004
AS/NZS IEC 61935.1:2006
AS/NZS IEC 61935.2:2006
AS/NZS ISO/IEC 14763.3:2007
AS/NZS ISO/IEC 15018:2005
AS/NZS ISO/IEC 24702:2007
cabling security codes and regulations
Environmental Protection Acts
OHS Acts
technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006.
Customer may be:
asset manager
contractor
network planner
nominated customer representative
project manager
service provider.
Equipment may include:
Core and Access network:
cellular mobile network
dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) network
gateway router
IP-Core Network
mesh network
multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) router
network server
optical network
satellite network
switching equipment
transmission equipment
worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) network
customer network:
alarms systems
IP private branch exchange (PBX)
IP PBX server
IP security systems
Internet protocol TV (IPTV)
LAN:
data switch
router
server
network management addition
PBX
session initiation protocol (SIP)-enabled UC system
video conferencing equipment
voice over internet protocol (VoIP) gateway
WiMAX CPE.
Upgrade may include:
network capacity upgrade
network major software upgrade
network services upgrade
network technology upgrade
system integration.
Hazards may include:
building debris
earth potential rise (EPR):
event at a site, such as an electrical distribution substation, may expose telecommunications personnel, users or plant to hazardous voltages
glass fibre
live power lines
manual handling
mud and water
natural gas and other gas build up
optical fibre cable may contain hazardous light
radio frequency (RF) equipment emitting radiation
remote power feeding services which operate at above telecommunications network voltage (TNV)
vermin.
Upgrade plan may include:
access and security arrangements
after hours access
contingencies
contingency plans
customers communication priorities
customers communications needs
downtime
installation of backup equipment
provision of temporary services
test plans
testing procedures
timing and disruption to services.
Support personnel may include:
help desk
IT support
network operations support
vendor backup.
Test equipment may include:
communication testers
frequency analysers
microwave link analysers
network analyser
protocol analyser
spectrum analysers
traffic analyser
transmission measuring sets.
Test may include:
ability to make and receive a call
configuration tests
diagnostic tests
programme checks
routing tests
software tests
switching tests
traffic measurement test
transmission tests.
Upgrade work may include:
commission of new system
installation of new additional equipment
installation of new software
integration of new equipment into existing system
provision of temporary service
removal of redundant equipment
test on new system.
OHS and environmental requirements may relate to:
decommissioning and isolating worksite and lines prior to commencement
identifying other services, including power and gas
personal protective clothing:
earmuffs
gloves
head protection
kneepads
masks
protective suits
safety boots
safety glasses
safe working practices, such as the safe use and handling of:
asbestos
chemicals
materials
tools and equipment
work platforms
special access requirements
suitable light and ventilation
environmental considerations:
clean-up protection
stormwater protection
waste management.
Progress of upgrade may include:
rate of deliverables against project timeline
risk management
timing.
Contingency plan may:
be developed as part of the upgrade planning and design
be escalated and referred to more specialist team
invoke partial upgrade to be continued at later stage
invoke reversion procedure to pre-update condition.
Documentation may include:
configuration details
implementation and testing procedures
network impact statement
software test results
system updates
test results and recommendations
upgrade details
vendor, equipment and enterprise specific details.

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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
analyse the implications of hardware and software upgrade on the remainder of the network
plan and identify the components of the upgrade process
prepare an upgrade plan and organise system backup
run test plan and analyse test results
implement upgrade and monitor progress of upgrade periodically using both vendor and enterprise specific monitoring tools
implement contingency plan
escalate problems encountered according to enterprise policy
analyse alarms and alarm conditions
review customer complaints to assess impact of upgrade.
Context of, and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
site where upgrade may be conducted
use of equipment, software, test and monitoring equipment currently used in industry
relevant regulatory, equipment, enterprise and vendor documentation that impacts on work activities.
Methods of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of the candidate performing upgrade
direct observation of the candidate performing tests and monitoring alarms
review of documents prepared by the candidate providing upgrade plan and assessing impact of upgrade taking into consideration customer feedback
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of upgrade, testing and monitoring procedures.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplaces and job role is recommended, for example:
ICTTEN4073A Cut over customer premises equipment major upgrades
ICTTEN4086A Undertake routine maintenance of the telecommunications network.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.