Service and Delivery
Knowledge Element: PC architecture and Operating System details
Definition of Knowledge Element:
Understand the hardware architecture of a typical IBM style PC along with knowledge of current and past BIOS configurations and Operating System functions
A very brief summary of the Knowledge:
In most cases, external equipment is connected to a PC through a pre defined input output route such as USB. Some devises still use older serial interfaces such as RS232. Parallel interfaces are often made to other equipment through interfaces such as PCI. The BIOS provides the most basic description of the PC operations and the Operating System then supports as system of drivers to handle individual items that are connected to the PC. Drivers then interface with the software that supports the external device
A summary of expert opinion:
The knowledge named 'PC architecture and Operating System details' is considered to be very important.
In addition, the knowledge is thought to be very difficult to replace, it is learned with a study experience balance, and Between 7% and 30% of Group are Experts.
It is also quite specialised knowledge, and quite frequently changing knowledge.
See Parameter table below for more detail.
Risk:
This knowledge element has a risk value of 7.12, whilst the average risk for the whole knowledge structure is 4.862. Consult the RISK page for more details.
This knowledge is one of the higher risk items in the knowledge structure. Its risk value of 7.12, can be compared with the average risk for the highest ten percent of the knowledge, of 7.412 and the average risk for the whole map stated above.
The average risk of the prerequisite family of this knowledge node is 5.162 (adjusting for nodes with few members of the prerequisite family).
This figure for the average risk of the prerequisite family is in the top ten percent of high risk for this knowledge study.
The average normalised prerequisite family risk of the whole map 2.122, whilst the average for the top ten percent family risk is 5.152.
Knowledge linked by learning dependency:
| Customer Services | ||||
| PC architecture and Operating System details | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Networks | Detailed PC architecture | Detailed PC OS | Installing PC hardware | Installing software |
Postrequisite knowledge implies that PC architecture and Operating System details must be understood before for a person can gain a full understanding of the knowledge listed in the top row of the Linked Knowledge table.
Prerequisite knowledge (bottom row in the Linked Knowledge table), is knowledge that should be understood before a full understanding of PC architecture and Operating System details is possible.
This node has a prerequisite family consiting of 13 nodes, including the direct prerequisite knowledge shown above.
Parameters assigned for PC architecture and Operating System details.
| Identifier | Name | Value | Clarifier | Weight | Study Mean |
P1 |
Importance |
7.0 |
very important |
1.0 |
6.34 |
P2 |
Recovery |
8.0 |
very difficult to replace |
1.0 |
3.38 |
P3 |
Study-Exp |
5.0 |
learned with a study experience balance |
1.0 |
3.46 |
P4 |
Known By |
1.0 |
Between 7% and 30% of Group are Experts |
-1.0 |
2.80 |
P6 |
Specialised |
6.0 |
quite specialised knowledge |
1.0 |
5.05 |
P7 |
Stability |
2.0 |
quite frequently changing knowledge |
-0.7 |
6.41 |
People Involved with PC architecture and Operating System details:
| Person | Expert | Capable | Responsible | N S Jones | --- |
Yes |
--- |
S P Evans | --- |
Yes |
Yes |
E N Roberts | --- |
Yes |
--- |
|---|
Computed Similarity
The most similar nodes to PC architecture and Operating System details are Diagnose faults and Site survey.
The most dissimilar node to PC architecture and Operating System details is Organise Accommodation.
Computer generated Options for Action:
Options for Action are computer generated ideas for the development of a particular knowledge area that an analyst or manager may wish to consider. The options generated for PC architecture and Operating System details are listed below.
Option Class is :- Increasing Knowledge Accessibility
This option is :- Making sources of expertise visible and experts contactable
This briefly involves :- A directory of staff along with their areas of expertise and their contact details would fulfil this need. However, a paper directory may not be easy to produce and distribute and all experts may not be contactable anytime. A more appropriate version of this idea could be implemented through an intranet.
Option Class is :- Staff development
This option is :- Work structure training such as an apprenticeship or work shadowing scheme
This briefly involves :- Although an apprenticeship or work shadow scheme can be seen as an inefficient staffing option, it remains the best way to pass on important and complex corporate knowledge. It can also be seen as a way to reduce the risk that such knowledge will be lost to an organisation.