The aim of this module is to support professional and academic development through both self-directed research and enquiry as an individual and member of a full team. Case study topics will focus on industry and individual careers present. More specifically the module will cover topics of:

Project based topics
Working as a team
Project Management in the IT world
Collaborative Working
Agile methods
Requirements Analysis
Global Issues
Enterprise – review, analysis, and understanding of business main issues
Economic issues
Entrepreneurship and innovation – Review of projects to identify and specify opportunities
Version Control
Professional Bodies, Ethics and Codes of Conduct relevant for the computing professional
Legal and ethical issues for IT Projects
Accessibility and Inclusion
Careers, aspirations and realities

BCS / TechSkills / Employability elements:

The module will explore practical elements of system modelling
Working within a team setting with both team and individual role allocation
Commercial and business issues in relation to a case study and the associated working roles
Associated economic issues within systems development
Elements of both project management and planning
Legal, social, ethical and professional issues will be addressed within a case study setting

GROUP REPORT - Written Report - You will write a report identifying, with examples, the approach to address problems within the case study in order to develop analysis, research and teamwork-based skills in the context of individual roles and team-based activity (and employability). As part of your work, you must discuss professional practice, industry expectation, and clear consideration of career mapping to the provided case study. Marks will be allocated – Problem analysis 20%, Research 20%, Teamwork 20%, Employability aspects 20%, and Professional Practice 20%.

GROUP PRESENTATION - Recorded Presentation – Students will record a 10-minute presentation outlining the key parts of the project undertaken with reference to team dynamics, individually focused. roles, and the wider focus of professional practice and career knowledge developed. Marks will be allocated – Information on Individual role 20%, Teamwork aspects 40%, and Professional Practice 40%.

To show application and to develop specific areas you will work individually and within groups in workshops and tutorials in an approach where case studies and simulation drive the learning process. Formative feedback will be given on a regular basis in class to help student development with teamwork and adaption of roles within. Group discussions will take place in these sessions as well so both the simulation and assessment development progress is explored.

1. Explain the role that information and communication technologies play in a business environment.

Knowledge & Understanding
Communication

2. Select appropriate computing solutions to solve and support business problems.

Application & Problem-Solving
Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

3. Explain team and individual roles within a case study / simulation environment, and complete work following an industry-based focus.

Personal Development & Entrepreneurship
Research Skills

Appropriate hardware and software development environments to design, develop and document the required case study system.

Fielding, P. J. (2025), How to Manage Projects: Essential Project Management Skills to Deliver On-time, On-budget Results: 173 (Creating Success series), Kogan Page Publishing

Vaz, N. (2021), Digital Business Transformation: How Established Companies Sustain Competitive Advantage from Now to Next, Wiley; 1st edition

Nizhebetskyi, D. and Dawson, A. (2022), Practical Project Management: Proven Framework That Great Project Managers Use in the Real World, Independently Published

Kogon, K. and Blakemore, S. (2024), Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager (Updated and Revised Edition), BenBella Books

Newton, R. (2024), Project Management Step by Step: How to Plan and Manage a Highly Successful Project, Pearson Education

This module will introduce to you real-world computing problems that exist in the business world. Case studies are extensively used in order you work within a team to investigate a problem and look to find best solutions from several options. In doing so you will develop both project management and research-based skills which will benefit you throughout your course. To help in your learning you will be provided accepted theory and approaches that you will attempt to put into practice. You will work within realistic teams with dedicated roles and will experience real world activities and tasks. Part of the module also focuses on careers and the requirements to gain the knowledge of background requirements within industry.