CTS-D Job Task Analysis

Duties and Tasks Knowledge Skills and Abilities Tools, Equipment, and Resources

A Conducting a Needs Assessment

Identify decision-makers and
1 stakeholders

Contractual relationships Ability to ask probing questions RACi Chart

Ability to differentiate between decision-makers
Client organizational structure
and stakeholders
Ability to work as part of a team or lead a team
Attention to detail
Interpersonal skills
Verbal communication skills
Written communication skills
ability to document findings
ability to liaise with clients and end-users
Ability to coordinate with project team
Ability to create a stakeholder registry

2 Identify skill level of end users

AV components Ability to ask probing questions Examples of documentation from other projects
AV terminology Interpersonal skills RACi chart
AV trends Listening skills Stakeholder registry
Networking Verbal communication skills
knowledge of AV systems Written communication skills
Client Expectations Ability to assess user skill levels
ability to document findings

3 Educate AV clients
Accessibility Ability to communicate ideas clearly Case studies
AV products Computer skills Industry reports
AV systems Public speaking Trade shows
AV trends Verbal communication skills Vendor demonstrations
Building Management Systems (BMS) Written communication skills Vendors
Networking ability to define system functionality White papers
Regulatory issues Ability to apply training techniques
knowledge of other disciplines
(mechanical, electrical, plumbing, etc.)
knowledge of AV design methods

Page 1 of 11
CTS-D Job Task Analysis

Duties and Tasks Knowledge Skills and Abilities Tools, Equipment, and Resources

A Conducting a Needs Assessment

Review client technology
4 master plan

AV systems Computer skills Client standards

Basic fiscal planning terminology Verbal communication skills Summary of existing Client AV systems
Equipment life cycles Written communication skills Network topology
Structured cabling systems Ability to interpret symbols and abbreviations Codes (e.g., building, electrical, safety, fire, accessibility)
Ability to document potential equipment or policy
Sustainability issues
conflicts
Basic networking equipment,
connectivity, and terminology

5 Identify client expectations

Accessibility Ability to ask probing questions Architecture models and photographs
Audio components Ability to document findings from client meetings Computer
AV control components Ability to restate client expectations Examples of other installations
AV furniture Verbal communication skills Recorder
AV market forces and trends Written communication
AV over IP
AV services (e.g., software,
conferencing, storage, streaming,
digital signage)
Basic AV and IT networking
Conferencing components
Content encryption techniques
Digital rights management
Display image attributes
Interactive technologies
Redundancy
Sensory communication (e.g., ear, eyes)
Video and display components
Video formats (e.g., HDTV, 4K, UHD)
Visual acuity (e.g., relationship between
font size, screen size, and viewing
distance)

Page 2 of 11
CTS-D Job Task Analysis

Duties and Tasks Knowledge Skills and Abilities Tools, Equipment, and Resources

A Conducting a Needs Assessment

6 Identify scope of work

Ability to compile research into a project narrative
Audio components Client meeting minutes
or proposal
Ability to determine what other trades, professions
AV control components Client research
or vendors are needed
Video components Ability to provide clients with budget estimates Computer
Basic drafting skills Cut sheets
Basic math Program report checklists/templates
Technical writing skills
Written communication skills

B Coordinating with Other Professionals to Develop Project Documentation

Review A/E (architectural and
1 engineering) drawings

Architectural details that impact AV Ability to calculate room dimensions CAD software
Architectural drawing symbols Ability to document review comments Computer
AV architectural impacts (e.g., stage
height, size of screen vs. seating
arrangements, viewing angles, viewing Ability to mentally visualize based on drawings Construction drawings
distances, height of screen, ceiling
soffits)
Drawing conventions Math skills Construction specifications
Drawing scale Scale ruler
Scientific calculator

Page 3 of 11
CTS-D Job Task Analysis

Duties and Tasks Knowledge Skills and Abilities Tools, Equipment, and Resources

Conducting a with
B Coordinating Needs Assessment
Other Professionals to Develop Project Documentation
Coordinate with
2 architectural/interior design
professionals
Accessibility Ability to be diplomatic and flexible Ability to utilize reference materials
AV architectural impacts (e.g., stage
height, size of screen vs. seating
arrangements, viewing angles, viewing Ability to calculate area Architectural/interior design documentation
distances, height of screen, ceiling
soffits, acoustics)
Ability to visualize spatial relationships from
AV equipment capabilities CAD Software
drawings
AV maintenance requirements Verbal communication skills Calculator
AV systems operational requirements Written communication skills Computer
Construction materials Review documentation
Construction practices Scale rulers and measuring devices
Equipment space and access
Site survey documentation
requirements
Ergonomics
Lighting levels
Signage requirements

Coordinate with mechanical

3 professionals

Equipment mounting technologies Ability to calculate heat loads Acoustician

Ability to identify conflicts between mechanical
Mechanical components Building codes
and AV equipment
Ability to identify unwanted sources of mechanical
Proper air flow CAD Software
noise
Calculator
Computer
Manufacturer specifications
Mechanical drawings
Reflected ceiling plan drawings
Review documentation
Scale rulers and measuring devices
Site survey documentation

Page 4 of 11
CTS-D Job Task Analysis

Duties and Tasks Knowledge Skills and Abilities Tools, Equipment, and Resources

Conducting a with
B Coordinating Needs Assessment
Other Professionals to Develop Project Documentation
Coordinate with structural
4 professionals

Equipment clearance/safety issues Ability to calculate AV equipment load Building codes

Ability to identify conflicts between structural and
Equipment mounting techniques CAD Software
AV equipment
Equipment mounting technologies Ability to select appropriate mounting hardware Calculator
Structural loads Computer
Structural mounts Manufacturer specifications
Types of mounting hardware Reflected ceiling plan drawings
Review documentation
Scale rulers and measuring devices
Site survey documentation
Structural drawings

Coordinate with electrical

5 professionals

AC power phases Ability to calculate conduit size Calculator

Electrical regulatory requirements Ability to calculate electrical power loads Electrical codes
Electrical safety Ability to create a AV conduit riser drawing Electrical drawings
Ability to identify conflicts between electrical and
Electrical terminology Reference materials
AV equipment
Electromagnetic interference Ability to use Ohm's Law Review documentation
Emergency power Site survey documentation
Grounding/earthing
Power management technology

Coordinate with lighting

6 professionals

Ambient light control Ability to calculate contrast ratios CAD software

Ability to identify conflicts between lighting and AV
Attributes of luminaries Calculator
equipment
Color Rendering Index (CRI) by
Computer
application
Lighting color temperature by
Lighting cut sheets
application
Lighting control protocols Lighting drawings
Lighting fixture types Reference manuals
Maximum allowable light levels at the
Reflected ceiling plan
screen
Room lighting levels by application Review documentation
Site survey documentation

Page 5 of 11
CTS-D Job Task Analysis

Duties and Tasks Knowledge Skills and Abilities Tools, Equipment, and Resources

Conducting a with
B Coordinating Needs Assessment
Other Professionals to Develop Project Documentation
Coordinate with IT and
7 network security professionals

Conferencing Ability to calculate bandwidth IP standards

Ability to communicate requirements to IT
Encryption standards IT drawings
professionals
Ability to identify AV transport methodology
Fiber optics Networked device spreadsheet
requirements
IT terminology Ability to identify network switch requirements Review documentation
Network addressing Ability to identify network topology requirements Site survey documentation
Ability to identify power over Ethernet (PoE)
Networking terminology
requirements
Ability to identify quality of service (QoS)
Structured cabling
requirements
Telephone systems
Wireless network systems

Coordinate with acoustical

8 professionals

Acoustic isolation from adjacent spaces Ability to apply inverse square law Acoustical reports

Ambient noise Architectural/interior design drawings

Audio components Ability to calculate speaker coverages Noise ordinances
Sound masking requirements Ability to determine speaker placement Review documentation
Basic math and physics of sound (e.g., wavelengths,
Speech intelligibility metrics Site survey documentation
frequency, logarithms) skills
Sound masking drawings

Coordinate with life safety

9 and security professionals

Ability to communicate requirements to life safety

Electronic security systems Codes
professionals
Ability to communicate requirements to security
Equipment network requirements Reference materials
professionals
Ability to design systems that integrate with the life
Fire alarm systems Review documentation
safety system
Ability to design systems that integrate with the
Mass notification systems Site survey documentation
security system
Physical security issues

Page 6 of 11
CTS-D Job Task Analysis

Duties and Tasks Knowledge Skills and Abilities Tools, Equipment, and Resources

Conducting AV
C Developing a Needs Assessment
Designs

1 Create draft AV design

Ability to apply Inverse Square Law and logarithmic
Accessibility Audio design software
calculations
Analog signal properties (frequency,
wavelength, amplitude, phase, Cable specifications and guidelines
bandwidth)
Audio and video compression Ability to calculate contrast ratio CAD software
Audio components Ability to calculate projector throw distances Computer
AV control components Ability to calculate required amplifier power Manufacturer contacts
AV furniture Ability to calculate screen brightness/contrast ratio Reference manuals

AV market forces and trends Ability to calculate speaker coverages Scope of work
AV over IP Ability to calculate video bandwidth Specification sheets
AV services (e.g., software,
conferencing, storage, streaming, Ability to calculate viewing angles and distances User and installation manuals
digital signage)
AV signal types (e.g., control protocols,
Ability to determine image size for application
content, data)
AV timing (e.g., Genlock, video sync,
Ability to determine performance criteria
audio sync)
Basic AV and IT networking Basic drafting skills
Basic principles of RF and IR Basic math and physics skills
Cable types and attributes
Conferencing components
Content encryption techniques
Digital rights management
Display image attributes
EDID management
Interactive technologies
Loudspeaker coverage patterns
Microphone polar patterns
PAG/NAG/NOM
Properties of sound and light
Redundancy
Sampling rate
Sensory communication (e.g., ear, eyes)
Signal bandwidth
Signal distance limitations
Video and display components
Video formats (e.g., HDTV, 4K, UHD)
Visual acuity (e.g., relationship between
font size, screen size, viewing distance)

Page 7 of 11
CTS-D Job Task Analysis

Duties and Tasks Knowledge Skills and Abilities Tools, Equipment, and Resources

Conducting AV
C Developing a Needs Assessment
Designs

2 Confirm site conditions

Accessibility Ability to calculate conduit capacity Building codes
Electrical systems Ability to identify construction restrictions Camera
Equipment mounting Ability to identify infrastructure requirements Communication device
Ability to identify sources of potential electrical,
Image aspect ratios visual, structural, mechanical, RF/Wi-Fi, and Flash light
acoustic interference
Seismic considerations Ability to read drawings Floor plans
Signal limitations Ladders
Light meter
Measuring devices
Network riser
PPE
Reflected ceiling plans (RCP)
Site map
SPL meters

Produce AV infrastructure
3 drawings

Accessibility Ability calculate conduit fill ratio Architectural drawings

Architectural terminology Ability to calculate heat loads Building codes
Architectural/engineering drawing
Ability to calculate power loads CAD software
symbols
AV drawing symbols Ability to calculate projector throw distances Computer
Construction abbreviations Ability to calculate viewing angles and distances Drafting supplies
Construction practices Ability to calculate weight loads Electrical drawings
Equipment mounting Ability to convert measurements Floor plans
Ability to convert measurements Furniture plan
Ability to determine equipment mounting heights Reflected ceiling plans (RCP)
Ability to direct the production of CAD drawings Scale rulers
Ability to read construction drawings Structural drawings
Attention to detail skills

Page 8 of 11
CTS-D Job Task Analysis

Duties and Tasks Knowledge Skills and Abilities Tools, Equipment, and Resources
C Developing
Conducting AV Designs
a Needs Assessment
4 Produce AV system drawings
Accessibility Audio design software
Analog signal properties (e.g.,
Ability to apply Inverse Square Law and logarithmic
frequency, wavelength, amplitude, Cable specifications and guidelines
calculations
phase, bandwidth)
Architectural terminology Ability to calculate contrast ratio CAD software
Architectural/engineering drawing
Ability to calculate projector throw distances Client branding guidelines
symbols
Audio and video compression Ability to calculate required amplifier power Client network standards
Audio components Ability to calculate screen brightness/contrast ratio Computer
AV control components Ability to calculate speaker coverages Manufacturer contacts
AV drawing symbols Ability to calculate video bandwidth Printer/plotter
AV furniture Ability to calculate viewing angles and distances Reference manuals
AV over IP Ability to create schematic diagrams Scope of work
AV services (e.g., software,
conferencing, storage, streaming, Ability to determine image size for application Specification sheets
digital signage)
AV signal types (e.g., control protocols,
Ability to produce custom furniture details User and installation manuals
content, data)
AV timing (e.g., Genlock, video sync,
Basic math and physics skills
audio sync)
Basic AV and IT networking
Basic principles of RF and IR
Cable types and attributes
Conferencing components
Construction abbreviations
Construction practices
Content encryption techniques
Digital rights management
Display image attributes
EDID management
Equipment mounting
Ergonomics/human factors
Interactive technologies
Loudspeaker coverage patterns
Microphone polar patterns
Redundancy
Regulatory requirements
Signal distance limitations
Video and display components
Video formats (e.g., HDTV, 4K, UHD)
Visual acuity (e.g., relationship between
font size, screen size, and viewing
distance)

Page 9 of 11
CTS-D Job Task Analysis

Duties and Tasks Knowledge Skills and Abilities Tools, Equipment, and Resources
C Developing
Conducting AV Designs
a Needs Assessment
Finalize project
5 documentation

AV delivery models Ability complete bill of materials CAD software

Ability to compile data Feedback from other responsible parties
Ability to conduct quality assurance (QA) Project specifications from other professionals
Ability to specify performance criteria Tender documentation
Ability to write a project narrative
Ability to write project specifications
Technical writing skills

D Conducting Project Implementation Activities

Participate in project
1 implementation
communication
Construction contractual relationships Ability to be diplomatic and flexible Computer
Construction processes Attention to detail Construction drawings
Construction roles and responsibilities Verbal communication skills Construction forms
Construction terminology Written communication skills Construction specifications

Conduct system performance

2 verifications

Audio and video theory Ability to apply troubleshooting strategies Audio analyzer

Signal levels Ability to document AV issues or non-conformances Audio generator

Ability to identify common audio problems Colorimeter
Ability to identify common IT/IP problems Computer
Ability to identify common video problems Distance measuring tools
Ability to test equipment Impedance meter
Ability to verify proper cable management Level (spirit level)
Light meter
Multimeter
Real time analyzer
Scope of work
SPL meter
Standards
System performance specification
System schematic diagrams
Test pattern generator
Testing software

Page 10 of 11
CTS-D Job Task Analysis

Duties and Tasks Knowledge Skills and Abilities Tools, Equipment, and Resources

a NeedsImplementation
D Conducting Project Assessment Activities
Conduct project close out
3 activities

Customer expectations Ability to identify changes that impact scope As-built drawings/drawings of record
Design intent of the system Ability to obtain client sign-off Contract
System operation Ability to provide operational training Project close-out documentation
Ability to provide technical training Scope of work
Attention to detail
Conflict resolution skills
Verbal communication skills
Written communication skills

Page 11 of 11