This module is the precursor to the Honours Project module which leads to the End Point Assessment, it is not possible to progress to the Honours Project module without submitting m authorised ethics submission for the project and successfully completing the Gateway Submission. Gateway is an assessment of your ability to meet all the apprenticeship outcomes on the assumption that you complete the final 30 credits of the degree by successfully completing the Honours Project. The gateway submission collateral should be a development and completion of the level 5 Summative Reflection action plan.



It is expected that the Honours Project will meet all the specialist apprenticeship KSBs of the apprenticeship standard. (all be it that it is accepted that some will be met in a more in-depth way than others) The proposal must be approved by both the course team and your employer and must show how the outcomes will be met and how the employer and University will provide the resources to complete the work.
Although it will not be assessed, the project cannot be approved until all ethics documentation has been signed off.





The module will include a recap and further depth investigation of report writing, evaluation and reflection, Research Ethics, Primary and Secondary research skills.



Project context and scope. The IT project initiation phase and the project charter. Environmental analysis and stakeholder involvement. Agreeing goals and deliverables and establishing terms of reference. Identifying and analysing critical success factors. Negotiating for resources. Producing a project charter that is agreeable to all stakeholders;


Project management processes. Risk, change and quality management policies. Project management methods (e.g., AGILE methods, Extreme Programming, Waterfall, Prince2, TDD), documentation and reporting standards. Risk analysis and contingency planning. Monitoring risk and change in the project plan.



Project management tools. Choosing and using a project management package (e.g., MS Project). Work breakdown structures and outlines, Entering schedule data into a project management package. Interpreting resource data in a project management package, producing project reports and maintaining the project plan



Project estimating. Evaluation and choice of estimating method. Manipulating effort and duration. Ways of overcoming estimating problems and improving estimating accuracy.



Project scheduling. Producing and issuing a baseline plan, use of bar charts, resource histograms and precedence networks. Adjusting the plan and manipulating resources and tasks. Scheduling `non-linear’ project models




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

Knowledge

K3 Principles of estimating the risks and opportunities of digital and technology solutions.

K4 Techniques and approaches involved in creating a business case for new digital and technology solutions. For example, journey, product and capability mapping and value chains.

K6 The approaches and techniques used throughout the digital and technology solution lifecycle and their applicability to an organisation’s standards and pre-existing tools.

K13 Principles of data analysis for digital and technology solutions.

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

K15 Principles of estimating cost, and time resource constraints within digital and technology solutions activities.

K17 Reporting techniques, including how to synthesise information and present concisely, as appropriate to the target audience.

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

K19: Relevant legal, ethical, social and professional standards to a digital and technology solution. For example, Diversity, Accessibility, Intellectual Property, Data Protection Acts, Codes of Practice, Regulatory and Compliance frameworks.

K20: Sustainable development approaches as applied to digital and technology solutions such as green computing.

Skills

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

S2 Identify risks, determine mitigation strategies and opportunities for improvement in a digital and technology solutions project.

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

S5 Apply relevant standard processes, methods, techniques and tools. For example, ISO Standards, Waterfall, Agile in a digital and technology solution project.

S6 Manage digital and technology solutions projects. For example: identifying and resolving deviations from specification, applying appropriate Project Management methodologies.

S11 Determine and use appropriate data analysis techniques. For example, Text, Statistical, Diagnostic or Predictive Analysis, to assess digital and technology solutions.

S13 Report effectively to colleagues and stakeholders using the appropriate language and style, to meet the needs of the audience concerned.

S14 Research, investigate, and evaluate innovative technologies or approaches in the development of a digital and technology solution.

S15 Apply relevant legal, ethical, social and professional standards to a digital and technology solution.

Behaviours

B3 Acts with integrity with respect to ethical, legal and regulatory requirements ensuring the protection of personal data, safety and security.

B4 Commits to continuous professional development; maintaining their knowledge and skills in relation to developments in digital and technology solutions that influence their work.

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

B7 Maintains awareness of trends and innovations in the subject area, utilising a range of academic literature, online sources, community interaction, conference attendance and other methods which can deliver business value.

B8 Champions diversity and inclusion in their work ensuring that digital technology solutions are accessible.



This module will support the development and assessment of the following Specialist Route Knowledge, Skills and

A project proposal weighted at 100% (4000 words) Learning Outcomes 1,2 & 3.



Assessing the following KSB:

K3 Principles of estimating the risks and opportunities of digital and technology solutions.

K6 The approaches and techniques used throughout the digital and technology solution lifecycle and their applicability to an organisation’s standards and pre-existing tools.

K13 Principles of data analysis for digital and technology solutions.

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

K17 Reporting techniques, including how to synthesise information and present concisely, as appropriate to the target audience.

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

K19: Relevant legal, ethical, social and professional standards to a digital and technology solution. For example, Diversity, Accessibility, Intellectual Property, Data Protection Acts, Codes of Practice, Regulatory and Compliance frameworks.

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

S13 Report effectively to colleagues and stakeholders using the appropriate language and style, to meet the needs of the audience concerned. S14 Research, investigate, and evaluate innovative technologies or approaches in the development of a digital and technology solution.

S15 Apply relevant legal, ethical, social and professional standards to a digital and technology solution.



Project Proposal Approval (Ethics Sign Off and Project Sign Off by Employer and training Provider) Learning Outcome 4


Gateway Submission Learning Outcome 5

Gateway Submission – a submission of evidence and a completed review demonstrating meeting the gateway requirements of the apprenticeship. The evidence presented including that of the proposed project must demonstrate how the apprentice will meet the KSBs that will be assessed by the professional discussion.

evidence sources may include:

workplace documentation/records, for example workplace policies/procedures, records

witness statements

annotated photographs

video clips (maximum total duration 10 minutes); the apprentice must be in view and identifiable.

module assignment work where workplace evidence in not available

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:



First Semester Module Launch week: 6 hours

There will be a module launch session consisting of up to 6 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.



Second Semester Module Launch week: 3 hours

There will be a module launch session consisting of up to 3 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: 8.5 hours

Following the module launch week you will have a further 7.5 hours of contact time as a class with the module team. This will typically be as 5 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.

A minimum of 1 hour should be allocated to undertaking the Gateway assessment.





1:1 Progress Checks: 3 hours

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 9 x 20 minutes). These sessions may be used to discuss key topics, troubleshoot solutions, review working drafts etc.



Guided Independent Learning: 79 hours.

This time is allocated to you producing your proposal and preparing your gateway submission.

1. Formulate a business case for a complex digital technology solution in your specialist area, including estimation of both costs and benefits.

2. Create a project plan meeting appropriate legal, ethic and professional considerations and investigate, select and justify the selection of appropriate methods, methodologies or approaches to be used.

3. Perform a critical risk analysis recognising the factors of cost, time, resource constraints, quality and contractual obligations.

4. Complete an ethics submission meeting the required level for the proposal project

5.Demonstrate that your project and broader portfolio of activities meet the requirements of Gateway for your Apprenticeship

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.



Williams, K. (2018), Planning Your Dissertation (Pocket Study Skills), Red Globe Press; 2nd edition.

Burton, H, M. (2021), Your First Research Paper: Learn how to start, structure, write and publish a perfect research paper to get the top mark, Independently published.

Dawson, C. (2015) Projects in Computing and Information Systems: A Student's Guide. 3rd edition. Pearson Education. ISBN: 9781292073460

Schwalbe, K. (2018) Information Technology Project Management. 9th edition. Course Technology Inc. ISBN: 978-1337101356

Robson, C. (2016) How to do a Research Project: A Guide for Undergraduate Students. 2nd Edition. Wiley. ISBN: 978-1118691328

This module requires you to propose the project that will be implemented in the Honours Project module and is the basis for your End Point Assessment. Following an initial briefing on the proposal requirements you will be allocated a supervisor to work with to help you and your work-based mentor to shape your project to ensure that it meets the apprenticeship requirements as well as that of a sound academic Honours Project.

The module also requires you to complete your gateway review, as it is not possible to progress to the Honours Project module without successfully demonstrating that once you have completed the project you will have evidence to show how you are able to demonstrate the full set of Apprenticeship Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours.