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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2016 - 2017

Module Title The Systems Development Life Cycle
Module Code CB
School Open Education

Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorMr Seamus FoxOffice NumberD114
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 20
Pre-requisite C2, CT1, HS1, MS001
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description

A module which provides students with an understanding of the theory and practice associated with the development of Information Technology-based applications and solutions.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe systems that exist within a variety of organisations.
2. Demonstrate the stages of the systems development life cycle.
3. Critique a system proposal.
4. Describe how a feasibility study on a proposed system is carried out.
5. Evaluate the techniques used by a Project Manager to schedule activities and resources.
6. Translate data requirements into a database design using a data modelling technique
7. Translate system requirements into a system design using a process modelling technique
8. Contrast the different options for sourcing the development of an information system
9. Describe the features of Extreme Programming, Agile Methodologies, Scrum
10. Summarise common problems with Information Systems Projects and the Risk Analysis Process



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Tutorial21Face-to-face tutorials are held in DCU on Saturdays and Virtual Classroom tutorials on weekday evenings according to the timetable
Online activity16Interaction with tutor and fellow students
Independent Study469Reading, study, research and problem solving
Total Workload: 506

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

DEGREE LEVEL B: SYSTEMS PLANNING (CB).
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Unit 1: Systems Development Life Cycle the Systems Development Life Cycle
SDLC Models, Traditional (Sequential) SDLC Model, Traditional SDLC Stages, Methodical Approach To Systems Development, Agile SDLC Models, Agile SDLC Stages (High-Level View), Choosing The Right SDLC Methodology, What Is A System? Who Is Involved In The Systems Development Process? What Is A Subsystem? Summary.

Unit 2: Types of Information Systems Transaction Processing Systems (TPS)
Batch & On-Line TPS,Management Information Systems (MIS), Decision Support Systems (DSS), Requirements For Information Systems.

Unit 3: Systems Planning Systems Planning
Initiating Development Projects

Unit 4: Feasibility Study Feasibility Study
What Benefits Will The System Provide? Deciding The Feasibility Of A System, Reporting Back To The I.T. Executive, Terms Of Reference, Example Terms Of Reference For A Personnel Records System For A Multinational Organisation.

Unit 5: Communication Different Types of Communication
Participation of Users in Systems Development, interviewing, meetings, Making a Presentation, Written Reports, Manuals and Technical Writing.

Unit 6: Project Management Project Management
Project Planning, Critical Path Analysis, Measurement Of Software Development Effort, Project Monitoring, Computerised Tools For Project Management, Organisation Of The Systems Development Resources, Risk Management.

Unit 7: Risk Analysis
Risks associated with the technical feasibility of a project, Risks associated with developing a project, Classic Planning and Project Management Errors of a project, Risks associated with implementing a new system, Perspectives on problems with information system projects, Example from a developer's perspective, The cost of poor requirements, Stakeholder analysis, Professional and ethical responsibility

Unit 8: Systems Analysis, what Is Systems Analysis?
Why Is Systems Analysis Necessary? What Does The Systems Analyst Do? Fact-Finding Techniques, Scoping The System.

Unit 9: Data Modelling Entity-Relationship Modelling
Entity, More Than One Occurrence, Uniquely Identifiable, There Must Be Data, of Interest To The System, The System Itself Does Not Appear As An Entity, Study The Documents Used In The System, Attributes, Relationships, Identifying Relationship Cardinality, A Technique To Identify Relationships, Checklist For An E-R Diagram, Computerised Tools, Relational Mapping Rules, Integrity Constraints, Data Dictionary, Operations On Tables & Constraint Violations, Is The Data Analysis Section Complete? Normalisation, Three Stages of Normalisation, Summary.

Unit 10: Process Modelling Data Flow Diagrams
Three Levels of Diagram, Example Of A D.F.D. Summary of D.F.D.’S Computerised Tools, Other System Description Techniques, Control Structures, Language Restrictions, Summary Of Process Modelling, Combining the Data And Process Models, Functional Specification, Summary.

Unit 11: Systems Design , What Is Systems Design?
Systems Architecture, Issues Surrounding The Choice Of Relational Database, Sub-Systems, Interfaces, Usability, Security, Prototyping, Summary.

Unit 12: Building the Required System Teams Involved
Structure of Development Teams, Development Environment, Development Schedule, Controlling Changes, Documentation used, Quality Assurance, Walkthroughs, Summary.

Unit 13: Testing the Developed System Types of Testing Teams
Structure of Testing Teams, Environment Requirements, Testing Schedule, Documentation Used, Tracking System, Testing Phases Multi-User Testing, Education & Training, Summary.

Unit 14: Implementing the new system, setting up the production environment.
Conversion Strategies, Conversion Period, People Involved, Summary

Unit 15: Maintaining and enhancing the new system post-implementation review
Live Issues, Controlling And Managing Changes, Releasing The New Version of The System, Summary .

Unit 16: Other Approaches to Systems Development Outsourcing
Offshore Development, Purchasing Off-The-Shelf Solutions, Bring In External Resources, Summary.

Unit 17: Developing Management Systems Types of Management Information Systems
Systems Planning, Feasibility Study, Systems Analysis, Systems Design, Systems Build, Testing A Mis, Implementing The New Management System, Summary.

Unit 18: Agile Methodologies Agile Methodologies.
The Agile Manifesto, Scrum, Roles, The Sprint, Backlogs – Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog ,Meetings, Outcome – Potentially Shippable Product Increment .

Unit 19: Extreme Programming What Is XP?
Values of XP, Principles of XP, Practices of XP, Corollary Practices, XP and Scrum.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment50% Examination Weight50%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    None
    Programme or List of Programmes
    CSSECert in Software Sys & Entrepreneurship
    ISBSc in Management of Info Tech/Info Syst
    ITBSc in Information Technology
    ITSDiploma/BSc in Information Technology
    Archives: