Web Design & Development BSc (Hons)

Module CM0571 - Professional Software Engineering Practice

(20.00 Credits)

SYNOPSIS OF MODULE
The principal aim of the module is to connect the principles of project management and software engineering to the completion of a small project. The intention is to integrate the teaching of project management with students’ other studies. To this end the students will be taught the fundamentals of project management and apply these principles to a small group project.

A further aim of the project is to ensure that the students can determine how various skills in project management and software engineering combine to meet a successful outcome in a commercial and economic context..

The rationale is to ensure the students can see the skills required in the workforce (and in their continuing education), and apply those skills to complete both a project and achieve a level of understanding of employer requirements in the subject area.
The first summative assessment is group work consisting of a presentation to the assessors of the group’s project proposal (students will have to defend their proposal and justify decisions taken). The printed version of the proposal will gain marks for completeness and presentation. The proposal will include an audit of the group’s current skills including up-to-date CVs. Combined, the marks for this element will be 40% of the module.

The second summative assessment is a presentation and demonstration of the finished project during which students will justify the decisions made throughout, explain their rationale etc. The demonstration will be assessed individually regarding each element of the system. A proportion of the marks will be awarded for the student’s ability to answer questions in an appropriate and in-depth manner. Combined, the marks for this element would be 60% of the module.

Feedback will be given for all summative assessments at the time of the assessment and in writing at a later date.

The Learning Outcomes for the module are:

1. To apply appropriate project management tools to a project
2. To work effectively in a group to plan, manage and achieve a successful project outcome that meets appropriate ethical, social, legal and professional standards
3. To create a professional and effective project proposal (including a skills audit), incorporating both project management and software engineering principles, and displaying a clear understanding of the commercial and economic issues
4. To present information both in writing and orally in a concise professional manner
5. To apply risk management to a project.



INDICATIVE READING LIST OR OTHER LEARNING RESOURCES
Recommendations for purchase by students
None

Books
Hughes R. Cotterell M., (2009) Software Project Management 5th Edn. McGraw-Hill.

Marshall, L/ and Rowland, F. (2006) A guide to learning independently. 4th edn.

Gilb T., (1988) Principles of Software Engineering Management. Addison-Wesley.

Kloppenborg. T. J.,(2009) Project Management: A Contemporary Approach . Cengage

Reiss G. (2007) Project Management Demystified 3rd Edn. New York:Taylor & Francis.

Cadle J. and Yeates D., (2007) Project Management for Information Systems 5th Edn. Prentice Hall

Journal Articles
None
Journals and Newspapers Titles
Students are strongly recommended to regularly review professional publications for example:- Computer Weekly, Computing, The Computer Bulletin, Project Manager Today

Databases and Websites
None



OUTLINE SYLLABUS
The module consists of two main complementary components:
• Project management including project costing, risk management, and an understanding of the commercial and economic issues behind projects.
• Project system construction
The module will also include academic writing and referencing in support of the business justification of the project proposal.

Project management will cover the tools and techniques which the students can then use to organise and control the project to be undertaken.

The project proposal will incorporate software engineering aspects (learnt in other modules) to demonstrate complete management techniques which could then be applied to various projects. The proposal will include an audit of the group’s current skills including up-to-date CVs, and demonstrate the correct use of academic writing and referencing.

The system construction will take place outside of class time, with regular meetings and support from tutors to assist in the successful completion of the project.



AIMS OF MODULE
The principal aim of the module is to connect the principles of project management and software engineering to the completion of a small project. To this end the students will be taught the fundamentals of project management and from there will complete a small group project.

A further aim of the project is to ensure that the students can determine how various skills in project management and software engineering combine to meet a successful outcome in a commercial and economic context.



LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. To apply appropriate project management tools to a project
2. To work effectively in a group to plan, manage and achieve a successful project outcome that meets appropriate ethical, social, legal and professional standards
3. To create a professional and effective project proposal (including a skills audit) incorporating both project management and software engineering principles , and displaying a clear understanding of the commercial and economic issues
4. To present information both in writing and orally in a concise professional manner
5. To apply risk management to a project.



PRE-REQUISITES
CG0048 Programming 2
CM0432 Systems Analysis
or their equivalent.




CO-REQUISITES
None


DISTANCE LEARNING DELIVERY
N/A
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LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGY
Lectures and seminar/workshop sessions form the delivery of the module.

The first weeks will be spent studying the tools and techniques of project management with a focus on production of a project proposal. This will incorporate software engineering skills learnt on other modules and their application to the project to be undertaken.

Following the production of the project proposal the students will work on producing a system to meet their proposal, guided by tutors in seminar/workshop sessions.

The final weeks will be spent with the students preparing to present:
• their projects
• the rationale behind their work
• the outcome
and demonstrating the system constructed. The system will be constructed with both group and individual elements so a proportion of the marks will be allocated to individuals



ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK STRATEGY
a Summative assessment and rationale for tasks
The first summative assessment is the written group project proposal, the document the students will use to control and manage their project. In their group the students will present and defend their proposal to tutors. Marks will be awarded to students for the presentation and completeness of the project proposal document, for the content of the presentation and their defending of their proposal. The proposal will include a skills audit and the production of individual CVs which will assist students in obtaining placements.
For the second summative assessment the students will demonstrate their finished project to tutors and will be marked on their work, their presentation of their work, their defence of decisions and justifications thereof. This assessment will include individual and group marks.

b. Additional formative assessment – detail of process and rationale

Students will gain feedback every week at meetings regarding their progress, with advice and support provided as necessary.

c. Indication of how students will get feedback and how this will support their learning

Feedback on both assessments will be given verbally immediately following assessment with further written feedback provided at a later date. Feedback on the proposal is specially designed to feed forward into the second component of assessment, the project itself.



IMPLICATIONS FOR CHOICE
None

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