100% coursework involving a portfolio of staged assessed items based around a case study scenario.

This will consist of:
A group mark derived from:
project management documentation; (learning outcome 2)
analysis and design documentation; (learning outcome1, learning outcome 2, learning outcome 3)
functioning prototype; (learning outcome1)
user documentation; (learning outcome 2)
presentations. (learning outcome 2) (10-15 minutes per person)

Each individual student grade will be derived from:
the group mark;
individual contribution to presentations;
peer group assessment;
tutor observation;
an individual report of 1500 words maximum containing a critical appraisal and evaluation of the process and product. (learning outcome 4)

Students will work in groups of four, (+/- 1 in special circumstances).
They will be presented with a brief scenario of a required computer based system.
Using appropriate tools and techniques, students will:
produce a detailed project plan;
carry out an investigation and analysis, including interviewing staff who will role play as the customers of the required product;
design an appropriate system;
implement at least a functioning prototype solution;
produce appropriate documentation;
make an interim and a final formal presentation of the process and product to the 'customers';
critically analyse and evaluate the process and the product.

A few lectures and tutorials will be used to present the module contents and organisation, the case study scenario, various aspects of communication and team working. The student groups will interview the staff who will role play in order to gain a more detailed insight into the requirements of the system. During the tutorial periods and in unsupervised study time the student groups will analyse, design and develop a working solution to the presented problem. A total of 36 hours will be timetabled.

Working knowledge of a CASE tool and a 4GL development environment

Appropriate hardware and software system to design, develop and document the required system.

Beginning Access 2007 VBA, Denise Gosnell, WROX, 2007 ISBN 978-0-470-04684-5
Mastering Systems Analysis and Design, Martin Hughes, MacMillan Press, 1999, ISBN13 978-0333748039
On-line tutorials for VBA.