SAQA 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).
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different options are identified and compared in terms of their suitability for a given scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A suitable solution is recommended for implementation within a specific context. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Solution includes computer system types and implementation methods:
  • Computer system types: 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).
  • Implementation methods: 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).
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Performance of all elements is to be carried out in accordance with organisation standards and procedures, unless otherwise stated. Organisation standards and procedures may cover: quality assurance, documentation, security, communication, health and safety, and personal behaviour. An example of the standards expected is the standards found in ISO 9000 Certified Organisations.
  • Performance of all elements complies with the laws of South Africa, especially with regard to copyright, privacy, health and safety, and consumer rights.
  • Performance of all elements is to be completed within the context of a workplace environment. All activities must comply with any policies, procedures and requirements of the organisations involved, the ethical codes of relevant professional bodies and any relevant legislative and/ or regulatory requirements.
  • Performance of all elements is to be completed within the normal range of time and cost that would be expected in a professional environment
  • Knowledge of industry standards & models in the ICT services field like ITIL & CoBiT. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made by:
  • Understanding the given scenario before doing the recommendation.
  • Ensuring the solution recommended is intended for the given scenario. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively by:
  • Ensuring the solution recommended is intended for the given scenario. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise, and critically evaluate information by:
  • Understanding the given scenario before doing the recommendation.
  • Ensuring the solution recommended is intended for the given scenario. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written text, by:
  • Using application software to complete the recommendation for implementation, supported by diagrams as necessary. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by:
  • Using application software to complete the recommendation for implementation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exists in isolation, by:
  • Understanding the inter-relationship of the solution with others related systems before recommending an implementation option. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Definitions:
  • DBMS: Database Management System.
  • ERP: Enterprise Resource Planning.
  • LAN: Local Area Network.
  • SAP: Product name: integrated business application software.
  • WAN: Wide Area Network. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Fundamental  63909   National Certificate: Business Analysis  Level 6  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Elective  63769   National Certificate: Business Analysis Support Practice  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Elective  83026   National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
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    4. Atvance Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    5. BEE Clinic Pty Ltd 
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    10. EYETHU NATIONAL COMPUTER COLLEGE PTY LTD 
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    18. K Boneng Consulting Services P 
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    20. Metanoia Ratings PTY LTD 
    21. MINDWORX CONSULTING GAUTENG PTY LTD 
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    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.