IDCS -Compulsory - Practical Project

 Introduction

• All work must be additional to any work produced during the course or as assignments.

• Group projects are acceptable; however, groups should not be larger than 3 persons.

• A minimum of 240 hours work is required and group projects must be increased pro rata.

• Projects must be appropriate and tutors must counsel and supervise candidates, especially in the selection of projects in the first instance.

• Projects must be selected in accordance with the rules that apply to the topic in which the candidate is majoring.

Project Guidance

The aim of this module is to provide students with practical experience in the application of the subjects studied as electives. All work done for a project MUST BE ADDITIONAL to any work done during the course or as assignments. The project requires a minimum of 240 hours work, more if it is a group project.  

The following rules should apply to the selection of a project. If a student majors in:  

Computer Programming - then the project will be a programming project using one of the languages studied.

Internet and Multimedia - then the project will be based around the development of an interactive Web site incorporating multimedia techniques.

E-Commerce - then the project will be to build an operational E-Commerce Web site.

Computer Technical Support - then the project will be to build a small network and set up the software on it.  

For those candidates who have chosen not to major in any area they may chose one of the above for their project or agree a project with their supervising tutor which will then be approved by the Regional Moderator.  

Each of these projects will include designing, developing, testing, implementing and documenting the solution. Emphasis should be placed on the realism of the project. As far as possible a "live" working situation should be created, with monitoring of time used, standards and deadlines.  

General Principles  

Students who are employed may present a "live" project, or part of a project, which meets a need of the employer. This may render some of what follows in this section, 1.2, unnecessary or inapplicable; if there is any doubt as to the acceptability or scale of such a project, advice should be sought.  

The projects are not of a systems analysis nature which means that the requirements and constraints must be provided. The emphasis is on design, structure and implementation as much as on any coding required. Students must make a bona fide attempt at each element of a project but it is not stipulated that every element should reach a pass mark.  

Projects must be appropriate. If a project is found not to be practicable it should be abandoned at the earliest possible moment.  

The formal start of the project should be an agreed statement of requirements along with a system specification. The formal end of the project is a fully documented and working system.

Candidates should produce a plan for their project, indicating the effort and elapse time they expect to spend on each activity. The plan should be assessed and approved by the project supervisor and a work record maintained to show progress against the plan. This will enable both the candidates and their tutor to assess how they are progressing and any potential problems that might arise relating to the final submission date for the project.  

Group projects are acceptable, however groups should not be larger than 3 persons. Within a group project, although some division of labour might be sensible, each student will still be marked for each element. It will often be the case that students within a group will receive different marks for the project. Where there is a sub-division of work, this must be specified in detail.  

The project requires a minimum of 240 hours of work from each student, and group projects must be increased pro rata.  

The project should not demand any particular equipment or technique. Students should be free to produce solutions using what is familiar/available to them in their environment.

General Objectives  

These General Objectives will be assessed at each stage of the project they affect. For example, documentation and testing start at the very beginning of the project and continue to the end.

A. Overall design resulting in specifications from which the solution can be developed.

B. Design and development of solution.

C. Documentation, including User Guide.

D. Design and implementation of all appropriate testing.

E. A formal presentation of the project.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives relate to the nature of the project and are described under the notes for each topic.

Assessment Framework

Marks should be awarded against each objective in line with the following matrix:

This framework should be applied to all projects. Note the importance it places upon documentation and thorough testing. These activities must be carried out properly if the candidate is to reach credit level. In arriving at the final mark, the following guidelines will be taken into account.

Is the project output adequate for the qualification?

If the answer is no then the mark awarded must be less than 40%.

Is the project output of average attainment for the qualification?

If the answer is yes then the mark awarded should lie in the range 40% to 59%.

Is the project above average for the qualification?

If the answer is yes then the mark should be between 60% and 69%.

Is the project output well above average going on to excellent for the qualification?

If the answer is yes then the mark should be between 70% and 85%.

Does the project meet the specified requirements fully and show evidence of effort, initiative or investigation beyond the guidelines given?

If the answer is yes then a mark of 85% or above should be awarded.

Computer Programming

For candidates who are majoring in Computer programming the project must be a programming project using one of the languages studied. The aim will be for the candidate (or group of candidates, not more than three) to develop a working program or system.

It is important that all the objectives are covered in the development. In particular attention must be paid to the documentation of the program(s) and the testing which has been carried out to demonstrate that the system is working as it should.

Specific Objectives

Objective A: Overall design resulting in specifications from which solution can be developed.

A.Produce an outline project specification giving brief statements of the input, output and processing requirements. This should state the scope and limitations of the proposal, including a planned distribution of workload where the project is a group one.

B. From the outline specification, design a realistic work plan giving details of the timing and system development cycle, together with a task allocation if a group project.

C.Design and document the input, output and file/database specifications using appropriate standard forms and agreed procedures.

D.Identify and document program specifications or other appropriate software items, eg spreadsheets, SQL queries and reports, to be produced.

F.Identify and document all other system procedures, including communication methods between software and non-computer procedures.

G.Produce a preliminary, language independent design, using an appropriate method for each program or other software item in the system.

Objective B: Design and development of solutions. 

B1. Refine the preliminary design to produce working software, using appropriate agreed project standards.

B2.Demonstrate the use of validation, printing, screen dialogue, file updating, sorting and two-dimensional table handling, at least once in the project.

B3.Demonstrate that the coding corresponds to the design.  

Objective C: Documentation: including User Guide.

C1.From the very beginning of the project, prepare and maintain continuous, well-organised documentation as necessary throughout the project development.

C2.Produce a complete set of system documents to include the original system and program specifications in Objective A together with those in Objectives C3 and C4 below.

C3.Design and produce a complete user guide to include at least:

• A full description of the system.

• Loading and starting the system.

• Step-by-step instructions on using the system.

• User input and file/database and screens layouts.

• Output displays, files and print layouts.

• Scope and limitations.

• Error messaging and recovery procedures.

• Hardware requirements.

• Glossaries and indices as necessary

C4. Design and produce a complete maintenance programmer's guide to include at least:

• Program design and algorithms.

• Annotated source code listings.

• Glossary of variables or data dictionary.

• Test plan and data.

• Expected and actual results.

• Trouble-shooting procedures.

• Review and future possible enhancements.

Objective D: The design and implementation of all appropriate testing. 

D1.Produce a complete system outline test plan.

D2.Document detailed testing for all elements of the system, including proposed off-line and on-line tests, sets of appropriate test data and expected results.

D3.Carry out all tests as planned, carefully collating and documenting all appropriate test results.  

Objective E: A formal presentation of the project.

E1.Plan and present a verbal and visual demonstration of the development and operation of the system.

E2.Demonstrate an understanding of all general aspects of the system and a detailed knowledge of its elements. For students undertaking group projects, each must participate in the presentation and be able to give a similar account of his or her own units within the development.

E3. Operate any element of the system competently.

Assessment

Assessment will be carried out by allocating marks to the project against each objective with the weighting as indicated in the Assessment Framework.

It is important that all elements required are present and marks will only be allocated to the degree to which each given objective is satisfied.

Internet and Multimedia

For candidates who are majoring in Internet and Multimedia then the project will be based around the development of an interactive Web site incorporating multimedia techniques. The aim will be for the candidate (or group of candidates, not more than three) to develop a usable interactive Web site.

It is important that all the objectives are covered in the development. In particular attention must be paid to the documentation of the Web site and the testing which has been carried out to demonstrate that the system is working as it should.

Specific Objectives 

Objective A: Overall design resulting in specifications from which solution can be developed.  

A1.Produce an outline project specification giving brief statements of the input, output and processing requirements. This should state the scope and limitations of the proposal, including a planned distribution of workload where the project is a group one.

A2.From the outline specification, design a realistic work plan giving details of the timing and system development cycle, together with a task allocation if a group project.

A3.Design and document the input, output, format and access/navigation structure of the Web site.

A4. Identify and document any necessary software items which need to be developed.

A5. Identify and document all other system procedures, including communication methods between software and non-computer procedures.

A6.Produce a preliminary, language independent design, of the Web site.  

Objective B: Design and development of solution.  

B1. Refine the preliminary design to produce working software, using appropriate agreed project standards.

B2. Demonstrate the use of navigation, recording Web site access and input data handling.

B3. Demonstrate that the Web site corresponds to the design requirements.  

Objective C: Documentation: including User Guide

C1.From the very beginning of the project, prepare and maintain continuous, well-organised documentation as necessary throughout the project development.

C2.Produce a complete set of system documents to include the original Web site specifications in Objective A together with those in Objectives C3 and C4 below.

C3.Design and produce a complete user guide to include at least:

• A full description of the system.

• Loading and starting the system.

• Step-by-step instructions on using the system.

• User input and file/database and screens layouts.

• Output displays, files and print layouts.

• Scope and limitations.

• Error messaging and recovery procedures.

• Hardware requirements.

• Glossaries and indices as necessary.

C4. Design and produce a complete maintenance programmer's guide to include at least:

• Web site structure and navigation

• Annotated HTML listings

• Test plan and data

• Expected and actual results

• Trouble-shooting procedures

• Review and future possible enhancements

Objective D: The design and implementation of all appropriate testing.  

D1.Produce a complete Web site test plan.

D2.Document detailed testing for all elements of the system, including navigation, user enquiries, input data and responses along with sets of appropriate test data and expected results.

D3. Carry out all tests as planned, carefully collating and documenting all appropriate test results.  

Objective E: A formal presentation of the project.  

E1. Plan and present a verbal and visual demonstration of the development and operation of the Web site.

E2. Demonstrate an understanding of all general aspects of Web site development and a detailed knowledge of its elements. For students undertaking group projects, each must participate in the presentation and be able to give a similar account of his or her own units within the development.

E3.Operate any element of the Web site competently.  

Assessment  

Assessment will be carried out by allocating marks to the project against each objective with the weighting as indicated in the Assessment Framework.  

It is important that all elements required are present and marks will only be allocated to the degree to which each given objective is satisfied.  

E-Commerce  

For candidates who are majoring in E-Commerce then the project will also be based around the development of an interactive Web site. It will however incorporate the necessary facilities to support E-Commerce. The aim will be for the candidate (or group of candidates, not more than three) to develop a usable E-Commerce Web site.  

The detailed objectives for this unit are the same as those for Internet and Multimedia, with special attention being paid to the security of the E-commerce function.  

Computer Technical Support  

For candidates who are majoring in Computer Technical Support the project will be to build a small

network and set up the software on it. The aim will be for the candidate (or group of candidates, not more than three) to develop a working network.  

It is important that all the objectives are covered in the development. In particular attention must be paid to the documentation of the network and the testing which has been carried out to demonstrate that the system is working as it should.

Specific Objectives

Objective A: Overall design resulting in specifications from which solutions can be developed

A1.Produce an outline project specification giving brief statements of the network structure, facilities and software requirements. This should state the scope and limitations of the proposal, including a planned distribution of workload where the project is a group one.

A2.From the outline specification, design a realistic work plan giving details of the timing and development process, together with a task allocation if a group project.

A3.Design and document the hardware and software requirements.

A4.Identify and document all other system procedures, including communication methods between software and non-computer procedures.

A5.Produce a schematic diagram of the network and connected computers indicating the function of each component.

Objective B: Design and development of solutions of solutions.

B1.Build network in line with specification.

B2.Install software.

B3.Demonstrate that the system corresponds to the design.  

Objective C: Documentation: including User Guide.  

C1.From the very beginning of the project, prepare and maintain continuous, well-organised documentation as necessary throughout the project development.

C2.Produce a complete set of system documents to include the original system and network specifications in Objective A together with those in Objectives C3 and C4 below.

C3.Design and produce a complete user guide to include at least:

• A full description of the network.

• Loading and starting the network.

• Step-by-step instructions on using the system.

• Scope and limitations.

• Error messaging and recovery procedures.

• Hardware requirements.

• Glossaries and indices as necessary.

C4. Design and produce a complete network maintenance guide to include at least:

• Specification of all hardware on the network.

• List of all network and operating software required (with version numbers).

• List of parameter which can be modified to tune the system.

• Test plan and data.

• Expected and actual results.

• Trouble-shooting procedures.

• Review and future possible enhancements.

Objective D: The design and implementation of all appropriate testing. 

D1.Produce a complete system outline test plan.

D2.Document detailed testing for all elements of the system, including proposed off-line and on-line tests, sets of appropriate test data and expected results.

D3.Carry out all tests as planned, carefully collating and documenting all appropriate test results.  

Objective E: A formal presentation of the project, 

E1.Plan and present a verbal and visual demonstration of the development and operation of the system.

E2.Demonstrate an understanding of all general aspects of the system and a detailed knowledge of its elements. For students undertaking group projects, each must participate in the presentation and be able to give a similar account of his or her own units within the development.

E3. Operate any element of the system competently.  

Assessment  

Assessment will be carried out by allocating marks to the project against each objective with the weighting as indicated in the Assessment Framework.  

It is important that all elements required are present and marks should only be allocated to the degree to which each given objective is satisfied.