National Occupational Standards in
Archaeological Practice

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AF1 Develop information systems compatible with the needs of users

AF1.1 Identify the needs of users of information systems

Performance Required

This will involve:

1. Identifying the existing information systems
3. Identifying the types of users of the information systems
4. Estimating the numbers of users of the information systems
5. Identifying the ways in which the current information systems are used
6. Identifying the current and future requirements of users and reviewing them with relevant people
7. Identifying and assessing the conflicting requirements of users
8. Providing users with opportunities to discuss their requirements, and seeking clarification on any issues.

Occupational Context

1. Information systems
   • computerised
   • manual
2. Users
   • current users
   • potential users
3. relevant people
   • users: internal to organisation, external in field
   • supervisors / managers / advisors
   • maintenance and support staff

Knowledge Requirements

You need to know and understand how to:

• Design valid questionnaires
• Conduct user surveys

You need to know about:

• The different types of users of information systems, and their broad objectives
• How to estimate the numbers of users of information systems
• The likely benefits of user surveys, and their limitations
• Who the people are with whom results should be reviewed
• The likely conflicting requirements of users
• The methods that can be used to communicate with users, and those that have proved successful in the past
• The types of issues likely to be raised by users

Required Skills

You should demonstrate:

• Needs Assessment
• Survey and questionnaire design
• Interviewing technique

Evidence Required

You should provide evidence that you can identify the needs of users of information systems

The candidate should be questioned, based upon the documentation provided, to explore how they

• identify the needs of users of information systems.

Evidence Rules

The candidate should have been involved in developing procedures for and using information systems over a period of time within a working context.

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Today's date: 21/11/2008
This page last updated: 27/7/2007 15:17