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: 

Demonstrate an understanding of the capabilities of Geo-Information Systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116831  Demonstrate an understanding of the capabilities of Geo-Information Systems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Geographical Information Sciences 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  7 
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
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 will be useful to learners who wish to have a basic level of Geo Information literacy. This standard will be an entry-level education for someone entering the GIS field.

Learners credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Describe and explain the potential capabilities of Geo Information Systems.
  • Describe the potential application of spatial analysis.
  • Describe the limitations and risks associated with GI systems.
  • Identify and describe the costs associated with the use of Geo Information, spatial analysis and geo-information Systems. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Knowledge of geographical space and spatial relationships.
  • Knowledge of applications of geo-information output products.
  • Basic knowledge of GIS software functions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the potential capabilities of Geo Information Systems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Potential capabilities includes query indicate, locate, map, visualize, data warehousing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Geo-information systems Indicate-queries capability to identify the Attributes of a feature are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Geo-information systems feature location capability are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Geo-information systems map production capability are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Geo-systems capabilities to create different representations of the same data by changing the spatial attributes are and explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Spatial attributes includes but not limited to : colours, width, size, font, symbology, switching layers on and off etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Geo-information system used as a data warehouse are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the Potential Capabilities of Spatial Analysis. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Potential capabilities includes deriving new data by using existing data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Geo-information systems and their thematic representation capability are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Boolean queries combining attribute and spatial data are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Map Algebra concepts are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Map Algebra includes but not limited to assigning numerical values to pixels and using the numerical values in mathematical operations.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Spatial relationships and how they are used are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Spatial relationships includes but are not limited to intersection, proximity, adjacency, containment, buffering.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the limitations and risks associated with geo- information systems and data. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Data set combinations on different scales and the effect thereof with each other explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The effect includes but not limited to generalization, geographic displacement, and mismatched data sets.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Spatial data sets on an inappropriate scale and the effect thereof are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Data currency and the effect on decision-making are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Meta data and the importance there off are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Data completeness and the effect on decision-making are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Data accuracy and the effect on decision-making are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Thematic representations using nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio and the effect thereof are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Describe the costs associated with the use of geo information spatial analysis and systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The relationship between the various cost factors are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Cost factors include but not limited to people, software, hardware and data.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance and impact of the evolution of all the related components are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Components includes but are not limited to operating systems, application software, workstations, servers, storage capacity, network configuration, backup devices and acquired base data.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A Geo Information Implementation plan is compiled and incorporates all relevant cost components. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Costs components includes but are not limited to training, support, consumables, sourcing existing data, maintaining data, software ,hardware, capturing own data, upgrading of hardware and software, customisation.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The cost comparison between sourcing existing data and sourcing your own data are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Commercially off the Shelf application packages, the generic nature thereof, and the customisation needs involved to meet business requirements are explained. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation options
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard. This is a generic statement.
  • Basic computer literacy.
  • Basic geographical knowledge.
  • Basic numeracy and literacy. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Solve problems:
  • Boolean queries combining attribute and spatial data are explained.
  • Map Algebra concepts are explained.
  • Spatial relationships and how they are used are explained.
  • Thematic representations using nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio and the effect thereof are explained.
  • A Geo Information Implementation plan is compiled and incorporates all relevant cost components. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team/ group/ organisation or community:
  • Geo-information system used as a data warehouse are explained.
  • A Geo Information Implementation plan is compiled and incorporates all relevant cost components. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively:
  • Geo-information system used as a data warehouse are explained.
  • Geo-information systems and their thematic representation capability are explained.
  • Boolean queries combining attribute and spatial data are explained.
  • Map Algebra concepts are explained.
  • Spatial relationships and how they are used are explained.
  • The relationship between the various cost factors are explained.
  • The importance and impact of the evolution of all the related components are explained.
  • A Geo Information Implementation plan is compiled and incorporates all relevant cost components. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, organise and critically evaluate information:
  • Geo-information systems Indicate-queries capability to identify the Attributes of a feature are explained.
  • Geo-information systems feature location capability are explained.
  • Geo-information systems map production capability are explained.
  • Geo-systems capabilities to create different representations of the same data by changing the spatial attributes are and explained.
  • Geo-information system used as a data warehouse are explained.
  • Geo-information systems and their thematic representation capability are explained.
  • Boolean queries combining attribute and spatial data are explained.
  • Map Algebra concepts are explained.
  • Spatial relationships and how they are used are explained.
  • Data set combinations on different scales and the effect thereof with each other explained.
  • Spatial data sets on an inappropriate scale and the effect thereof are explained.
  • Data currency and the effect on decision-making are explained.
  • Meta data and the importance there off are explained.
  • Data completeness and the effect on decision-making are explained.
  • Data accuracy and the effect on decision-making are explained.
  • Thematic representations using nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio and the effect thereof are explained.
  • The relationship between the various cost factors are explained.
  • The importance and impact of the evolution of all the related components are explained.
  • A Geo Information Implementation plan is compiled and incorporates all relevant cost components.
  • The cost comparison between sourcing existing data and sourcing your own data are explained.
  • Commercially off the Shelf application packages, the generic nature thereof, and the customisation needs involved to meet business requirements are explained. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematics and language skills in the modes of oral and written presentations:
  • Geo-systems capabilities to create different representations of the same data by changing the spatial attributes are and explained.
  • Geo-information systems and their thematic representation capability are explained.
  • Meta data and the importance there off are explained.
  • Thematic representations using nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio and the effect thereof are explained.
  • A Geo Information Implementation plan is compiled and incorporates all relevant cost components. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically (showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others).
  • None 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Display an understanding of the world as a set of related systems:
  • Geo-information systems Indicate-queries capability to identify the Attributes of a feature are explained.
  • Geo-information systems feature location capability are explained.
  • Geo-information systems map production capability are explained.
  • Geo-systems capabilities to create different representations of the same data by changing the spatial attributes are and explained.
  • Geo-information system used as a data warehouse are explained.
  • Boolean queries combining attribute and spatial data are explained.
  • Map Algebra concepts are explained.
  • Spatial relationships and how they are used are explained.
  • Data set combinations on different scales and the effect thereof with each other explained.
  • Spatial data sets on an inappropriate scale and the effect thereof are explained.
  • Data currency and the effect on decision-making are explained.
  • Meta data and the importance there off are explained.
  • Data completeness and the effect on decision-making are explained.
  • Data accuracy and the effect on decision-making are explained.
  • Thematic representations using nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio and the effect thereof are explained.
  • The relationship between the various cost factors are explained.
  • The importance and impact of the evolution of all the related components are explained.
  • A Geo Information Implementation plan is compiled and incorporates all relevant cost components.
  • The cost comparison between sourcing existing data and sourcing your own data are explained.
  • Commercially off the Shelf application packages, the generic nature thereof, and the customisation needs involved to meet business requirements are explained. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49063   National Certificate: Geographical Information Sciences  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CETA 
    Core  58784   National Diploma: Geospatial Image Analysis  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2020-07-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.