All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Investigate implementation options for Information Technology (IT) solutions

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
258838	Investigate implementation options for Information Technology (IT) solutions
ORIGINATOR
SGB Computer Sciences and Information Systems
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-
FIELD			SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences			Information Technology and Computer Sciences
ABET BAND	UNIT STANDARD TYPE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Undefined	Regular	Level 5	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5	6
REGISTRATION STATUS		REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE	SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		2018-07-01	2023-06-30	SAQA 06120/18
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30		2029-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard.

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD

This Unit Standard is intended for people that are working as part of a team that is developing or supporting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems in a business environment. People credited with this unit standard will be able to: Discuss the factors that influence the implementation options of an IT solution. Compare different implementation methods currently used in the IT industry. Recommend implementation solutions for a specific context.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Communication at NQF Level 4 or equivalent. Mathematics at NQF Level 4 or equivalent. Computer Literacy at NQF Level 4.

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

The term given scenario covers up to 10 entities, fields and relational data table. The specification of the physical systems implementation model results in a document commonly known as an implementation specification, either being part of the systems design or solution roll-out documentation.

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Discuss the factors that influence the implementation options of an IT solution.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Environmental factors affecting different implementation options are explained using examples to clarify each factor.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

At least 3 environmental factors should be defined, which include but are not limited to: Computer equipment (hardware systems). Software (operating systems, application systems, DBMSs). Systems architecture(distributed, centralized). Networks (LANs, WANs, Internet).

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

System constraints affecting implementation options are discussed with examples of their effect.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

At least 3 system constraints should be defined, which include but are not limited to: Risks. Costs. Human Relations (Between humans: Users, staff, customers). Manpower. Time schedules.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

Reasons for selecting a computer system/solution are explained to reflect support for implementation options.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Reasons for selecting a computer system/solution should include at least 3 of the following, but are not limited to: Business considerations (competitive advantage, marketing, growth). Technology (state-of-the-art, cutting edge). Services (level of automated services provided). Strategic (long term planning). Integration (with legacy systems).

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

Conversion factors are interpreted to show how they affect implementation options.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

At least 3 conversion factors should be defined, which include but are not limited to: Staffing (changes in staff requirements). Procedural (changes in operating procedures). Data (changes in data formats, representations). Equipment (changes in hardware systems). Software (changes in software systems).

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Explore and compare different implementation methods currently used in the IT industry.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

Different computer system types are distinguished for use in the implementation purposes.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

At least 2 computer system types should be defined, which includes but is not limited to: Turn-key (purchased from outside vendor, including hardware/software). Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP: e.g. SAP). Custom built (outsourced to outside vendor). In-house (developed by organization staff).

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

Different implementation methods are examined to show how they are used in a computer system.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Implementation methods should include 3 of the following, but are not limited to: Direct (big-bang: total system all at once). Parallel (old and new systems running next to each other). Phased (new system implemented in a series of steps). Pilot (new system implemented at selected locations in the company). Staged (implement successive versions of the system).

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

The applicability of different Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC) models to different situations is demonstrated using examples.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

At least 2 situations should be demonstrated, which include but are not limited to: Dynamic environments, Static environments, Systems needing enhancements, packaged solution systems.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Recommend implementation solutions for a specific context.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

The factors affecting the implementation are analysed in order to recommend suitable solutions.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Factors include but are not limited to environmental factors, system constraints, reasons for selecting a computer system/solution, conversion factors: Environmental factors: Computer equipment (hardware systems), Software (operating systems, application systems, DBMSs), Systems architecture(distributed, centralized), Networks (LANs, WANs, Internet). System constraints: Risks, Costs, Human Relations (between humans: users, staff, customers), Manpower, Time schedules. Reasons for selecting a computer system/solution: Business considerations (competitive advantage, marketing, growth), Technology (state-of-the-art, cutting edge), Services (level of automated services provided), Strategic (long term planning), Integration (with legacy systems). Conversion factors: Staffing (changes in staff requirements), Procedural (changes in operating procedures), Data (changes in data formats, representations), Equipment (changes in hardware systems), Software (changes in software systems).