National Occupational Standards in
Archaeological Practice

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AF1 Develop information systems compatible with the needs of users

AF1.2 Identify and recommend improvements to information systems

Performance Required

This will involve:

1. Regularly monitoring the performance and function of the existing information systems
2. Matching the requirements of users against the information systems' capabilities, and identifying any problems
3. Encouraging users to provide suggestions on improvements
4. Consulting suitable information system specialists to assist in the identification of improvements
5. Identifying and evaluating options for improvement
6. Identifying accurately the resources required for the desired improvement
7. Consulting users on the feasibility and acceptability of implementing options
8. Proposing recommendations within the agreed timescale

Occupational Context

1. Systems' capabilities
   • storing information
   • preparing information
   • processing information
2. Improvement
   • in function
   • in capacity
   • in cost effectiveness
   • in validity and reliability
3. Feasibility with regard to:
   • specific user needs
   • organisational capacity

Knowledge Requirements

You need to know and understand how to:

• Encourage users to provide constructive suggestions
• Evaluate the options and select one
• Develop a specification for the improvement of the information system

You need to know about:

• The current performance and capability of the existing information system, and how they are monitored
• The requirements of users
• The range of options for improving the information system
• The timescales and financial requirements for improvements

Required Skills

You should demonstrate:

• Statistical analysis of financial information
• Interpretation of organisational objectives (project proposals, mission statements, etc)

Evidence Required

You should provide evidence that you can iIdentify and recommend improvements to information systems

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

• identify and recommend improvements to 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: 31/7/2010
This page last updated: 27/7/2007 16:17