Students will prepare coursework which will develop their skills in gathering system requirements and developing a requirement specification which they will model using appropriate tools. The Proposal MUST be approved by the Module Tutor who will ensure that it is of the right level and will enable the student to meet the learning outcomes of the module. It must then be signed off by the Mentor who will confirm that it will be possible for the student to undertake the work outlined in the proposal as part of their role.

Management information requirements (CSF and KPIs)

Requirement gathering; developing data gathering techniques further.

Secondary research relating to data collection tools/ requirements gathering method.

MoSCoW analysis

Requirement Specification and validation (including security issues)

Persona analysis in relation to User Experience requirements, HCI issues

Storyboarding, wireframing, sequence diagrams, etc for prototyping in an agile framework

Requirements Life Cycle Management from inception to retirement

Legislation and standards



This module will support the development and assessment of the following Core Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours from the DTSP Apprenticeship Standard:

Knowledge

K5 A range of digital technology solution development techniques and tools.

K14 A range of quantitative and qualitative data gathering methods and how to appraise and select the appropriate method.

K18 Techniques of robust research and evaluation for the justification of digital and technology solutions.

Skill

S1 Analyse a business problem to identify the role of digital and technology solutions.

S3 Analyse a business problem to specify an appropriate digital and technology solution.

Behaviours

B5 Interacts professionally with people from technical and non-technical backgrounds. Presents data and conclusions in an evidently truthful, concise and appropriate manner.





This module will support the development and assessment of the following Specialist Route Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour from the DTSP Apprenticeship Standard:



Business Analyst

Knowledge

K37: Elicitation and Collaboration approaches, including how to prepare for and conduct elicitation activities and confirm the results.

K38: Approaches to Requirements Life Cycle Management including how to manage and maintain requirements and design information from inception to retirement of a product.

K41: Legislation and industry standards relevant to Business Analysis in the organisation and sector



IT Consultant

Knowledge

K34: Approaches to analytical and critical thinking to define business problems objectively and create value for the client.

K35: Questioning strategies and active listening to ensure all requirements are gathered.

COURSEWORK portfolio weighted at 100% (All Learning outcomes)
A Report (4000 words) comprising:

- evidence of requirements gathering including questioning techniques supported by research

- reference to legislation and standards
- analysis of business needs with priorities
- requirement specification
- models of database requirements using appropriate tools (where appropriate)
- models of interface design using appropriate tools
- discussion relating to requirements management



Assessing the following Core KSBs from the DTSP Apprenticeship Standard:

Knowledge

K5 A range of digital technology solution development techniques and tools.

Skill

S1 Analyse a business problem to identify the role of digital and technology solutions.

S3 Analyse a business problem to specify an appropriate digital and technology solution.

Behaviours

B5 Interacts professionally with people from technical and non-technical backgrounds. Presents data and conclusions in an evidently truthful, concise and appropriate manner.





This module will support the development and assessment of the following Specialist Route Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour from the DTSP Apprenticeship Standard:



Business Analyst

Knowledge

K37: Elicitation and Collaboration approaches, including how to prepare for and conduct elicitation activities and confirm the results.

K38: Approaches to Requirements Life Cycle Management including how to manage and maintain requirements and design information from inception to retirement of a product.

K41: Legislation and industry standards relevant to Business Analysis in the organisation and sector



IT Consultant

Knowledge

K34: Approaches to analytical and critical thinking to define business problems objectively and create value for the client.

K35: Questioning strategies and active listening to ensure all requirements are gathered.

The module will be delivered in a Blended Learning Mode consisting of face to face, online and guided learning sessions.



Teaching sessions will blend theory and practical learning and most importantly where possible contextualised in your workplace as part of your apprenticeship. Learners will be introduced to curriculum concepts and ideas and will then be able to apply theory to practical examples. In addition, students will be provided with a range of resources for independent study such as case studies, academic papers and industry case studies. There will be a mixture of practical and theoretical formative (mock or practice) exercises which will help students build knowledge and confidence in preparation for summative (formal) assessment.



The delivery will be delivered as follows:



Module Launch week: 12 hours.

There will be a module launch session consisting of up to 12 hours face to face contact time devoted to developing your understanding of the core purpose and assessment of the module. Learners will be presented with details of how the learning will be structure and how to access to the learning materials for the remainder of the module.



Structured Learning Sessions: 15 hours

Following the module launch week you will have a further 15 hours of contact time as a class with the module team. This will typically be as 10 x 1.5-hour online classes which will be a combination of activities including lectures, demonstrations, discussions, tutorials and seminars. Some sessions are likely to be in flipped classroom style, where you will be expected to watch online recordings, read materials or respond to practical activities in preparation for active engagement with problem solving in the online session.



1:1 Progress Checks: 1 hour

As a Blended Learner understanding your progress can be a challenge so you are allocated an hour of 1:1 time with your tutor (typically 3 x 20 minute). Some of these may be in small groups if appropriate. These sessions may be used to discuss key topics, troubleshoot salutations, review working drafts etc.



Guided Independent Learning: 178 hours.

The module leader will provide resources through the virtual learning environment which will include videos and presentations as well as links to useful websites and other resources. Additional academic learning will be achieved through reading around the subject area, module tutors will suggest useful texts, though many others will be suitable and can be found in our e-library. You should also draw on the expertise in your workplace via your workplace mentor and other colleagues. If you require help understanding any of the concepts, you should contact your module tutor for assistance.

As an apprentice you are constantly developing your Digital Skills as part of your substantial role, and this applies to the development of the knowledge for your modules too. In some cases, there will be a significant cross over between the module content and in others less so, depending on the nature of your workplace duties, this will have direct impact on to the number of Independent Learning required.



Within the Independent learning time you will be expected to complete your assignments, as a guide a typical module assignment should take around 60 hours to complete.

APPLY ELICITATION AND COLLABORATION APPROACHES TO CRITICALLY ANALYSE AND PRIORITISE THE REQUIREMENTS OF AN IT ORGANISATION FOR IMPROVEMENT OF A BUSINESS FUNCTION IN AN ORGANISATION

EVALUATE, SELECT AND USE A RANGE OF INDUSTRY STANDARD TOOLS TO DEFINE, COMMUNICATE, MANAGE AND MAINTAIN THE REQUIREMENTS

DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE AND CRITICAL UNDERSTANDING OF LEGISLATION AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS RELEVANT TO BUSINESS ANALYSIS IN AN ORGANISATION AND SECTOR

All texts and electronic resources will be updated and refreshed on an annual basis and available for students via the online Study Links resource platform. All reference materials will be collated and curated and aligned to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion indicators.



Optional Texts:



Bryman and Bell (2018), Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press



Cadle, J.¿et al.¿(2021)¿Business Analysis Techniques: 123 essential tools for success. Swindon: BCS Learning & Development Limited.



Cairns and Cox (2008), Research Methods for Human–Computer Interaction, Cambridge University Press



Charles, et al. (2014) Strategic Management: Theory: An Integrated Approach, United States: Cengage Learning.



David Beckham¿et al.¿(2021)¿Business Analysis Techniques, 3rd Edition. BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.



Howitt (2019), Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology: putting theory into practice, Pearson.



Sunders et al. (2018), Research Methods for Business Students, Pearson Education Limited

The Internet¿and office software
Modelling tools such as QSEE Superlite

This module introduces you to the processes of eliciting, defining and managing the requirements relating to a business function. Approaches to elicitation including collaboration, questioning strategies and critical thinking will be discussed and used to define, confirm and manage the requirements.