This module explicitly focuses on significant elements required for the achievement of the STAFFORDSHIRE GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES.

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,
- design an appropriate system considering relevant security issues
- 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.

In addition lectures will cover the technical aspects of analysis, design and development, the theory and practice of collaborative working, global and cross cultural collaborative projects. Appropriate discussion of ethical, legal and social implications is expected.

A CASESTUDY weighted at 70% learning outcomes 1-4
A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF COLLABORATIVE SOFTWARE weighted 30% learning outcome 5 (final assessment)

The coursework involves 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)

Critical evaluation of collaborative software (learning outcome 5)

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

Lynda.com online training library

Global Project Management: Communication, Collaboration and Management Across Borders, Jean Binder, Ashgate Publishing Co (2007). ISBN-13 978-0566087066

None

1. Apply analysis, design and development knowledge, skills and techniques to solve a real world information processing problem, taking into account relevant legal, ethical and social issues.
(ANALYSIS; APPLICATION; PROBLEM SOLVING)

2. Overcome the challenges of working in a team under pressure to deliver a fully-documented solution and to formally present this.
(COMMUNICATION)

3. Elicit detailed requirements information and analyse this to solve a presented problem.
(ANALYSIS; COMMUNICATION; PROBLEM SOLVING)

4. Reflect on the process and final product to produce a critical evaluation. (REFLECTION)

5. Critically evaluate the use of collaborative working software in a global environment.
(KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING)

The first six weeks of the module will be used to present the case study scenario, the organisation of the groups and various aspects of communication and team working including the use of collaborative software. The student groups will interview the staff (who will role play as customers of the required product) via arranged tutorial sessions. In supervised and unsupervised study time the student groups will analyse, design and develop a working solution to the presented problem.