Assignment Brief

BTEC Level 4-5 HNC/HND Diploma (QCF)

To be filled by the Student

Name of the Student :

Edexcel No : Registration No: Batch No:

Unit Assessment Information

Qualification : Higher National Diploma in Computing and Systems Development

Unit Code & Title : Unit 4 - Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation (PDIE - 16 – 001)

Assessment Title & No’s : Produce solution for a chosen Problem

Learning outcomes and grading opportunities:

LO 01: Be able to formulate a project.

Learning Outcomes LO 1.1 LO 1.2 LO 1.3 LO 1.4
LO 02: Be able to implement the project within agreed procedures and to specification
Learning Outcomes LO 2.1 LO 2.2 LO 2.3
LO 03: Be able to evaluate the project outcomes.
Learning Outcomes LO 3.1 LO 3.2 LO 3.3
LO 04: Be able to present the project outcomes.
Learning Outcomes LO 4.1 LO 4.2

Merit and Distinction Descriptor

M1 M2 M3 D1 D2 D3

Date Issued : Date Due :

Date of Submission:

Assessor : Date Assessed:

Internal Verifier (IV): Date of IV:

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 Statement of Originality and Student Declaration

I hereby, declare that I know what plagiarism entails, namely to use another’s work and to
present it as my own without attributing the sources in the correct way. I further understand
what it means to copy another’s work.

1. I know that plagiarism is a punishable offence because it constitutes theft.

2. I understand the plagiarism and copying policy of the Edexcel UK.
3. I know what the consequences will be if I plagiaries or copy another’s work in any of the
assignments for this program.
4. I declare therefore that all work presented by me for every aspect of my program, will be
my own, and where I have made use of another’s work, I will attribute the source in the
correct way.
5. I acknowledge that the attachment of this document signed or not, constitutes a binding
agreement between myself and Edexcel UK.
6. I understand that my assignment will not be considered as submitted if this document is
not attached to the attached.

Student’s Signature: …………………………… Date:………………

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 COMPUTING PROJECT

Project design, implementation and evaluation, this module aims to give you an opportunity to piece
together and apply knowledge that you have gained in many other modules of your HND in Computing
and Systems Development programme.

To achieve this end, you are expected to undertake an individual information system
development/Network System project of your own choice but with an applicability of real world
implementation within the given period of time.

You are expected to demonstrate your technical skills, project management knowledge, logical as well as
creative thinking by undertaking a disciplined work to cater for a real world scenario by developing a
suitable information system/Network system of acceptable scope. The work you undertake shall in some
way uplift an organisation or mankind in general.

While you have the freedom to select the project title, it is very important that you have obtained prior
approval from your supervisor regarding the proposed systems project well in advance to the
commencement of detail work. Also where appropriate obtain the necessary permission from your
intended client as well.

The project shall be of an implementation type of project and you shall demonstrate adequate amount of
work has been carried out on your own. You must give due credit for any material or code that makes part
of your system or report which was not created by yourself in order to avoid the risk of being caught for
plagiarism.

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THE MAJOR PROJECT TASKS

1) Background and Project justification (LO 1.1)

1.1 Briefly describe the motivation/need for such project (problem/ opportunity/ etc.)
1.2 Define the objectives of the project
1.3 Outline the scope of the intended information system/network system solution.
2) Undertake a literature review and feasibility study on your areas of interest. Provide initial critical
analysis of the outline specification. (LO 1.2)
3) Carry out a detail requirement analysis (LO 1.3)
3.1 Employ appropriate fact finding techniques to gather requirements
3.2 Use appropriate techniques to check for possible requirement conflicts, inconsistencies, and
incompleteness and resolve them
3.3 Create appropriate requirements models (such as Context DFD, Logical DFDs or Use case diagram,
Analysis Class diagram etc., if applicable) to help validate requirements.
3.4 Prepare the requirement specification of the system clearly documenting all the functional and
non-functional requirements and state any assumptions or constraints there therein.
4) Produce an appropriate project plan (LO 1.4) and submit it for the approval from the supervisors.
5) Project Planning & Methodology selection
5.1 Define the project scope, budget and schedule: use appropriate tools & techniques to achieve this
(Project management software, WBS, Gantt chart, critical path analysis etc. as appropriate) (LO 2.1)

5.2 Choose appropriate development methodology, tools and techniques to suit your system
development, and justify your selection decisions. (LO 2.2)

6) Implementation and Evaluation

6.1 For the agreed requirement specification create a design specification that communicates
architectural and detail design, justify your design decisions from that of alternative design
solutions/options (LO 2.2)

6.2 Use appropriate modelling techniques to capture and communicate your design (LO 2.2) (LO 2.3)

6.3 Carry out user interface design in accordance to good design practice (LO 2.2) (LO 2.3)

6.4 Code and implement/Build your system using appropriate software and hardware, networking
options. (LO 2.2) (LO 2.3)

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 6.5 Produce test plans with appropriate test cases to test all aspects of the system (LO 3.1)

6.6 Carry out complete system testing against the requirement specification; record test results and
rectify any errors and shortcomings in the developed system (LO 3.1) (LO 3.2)

6.7 Roll out the system and obtain user feedback (LO 2.3) (LO 3.1)

7) Critical appraisal and conclusion (LO 3.3)

7.1 Reflect on your own project work; critically appraise the system (how successful your solution?
Pitfalls, shortcomings etc.)

7.2 Identify possible future extensions of your system

8) Presenting and defending the project work

8.1 Record your project work in an appropriate format (refer Final Report Format) (LO 4.1)

8.2 Present your system and defend your own work (must be able to modify and explain your own
coding) (LO 4.1) (LO 4.2)

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 Project Proposal Format

Project Details

[Project Name, Student Names, Supervisor details]

Introduction

[Introduction to the project]

Background and Motivation

[Why is the project being undertaken? Describe an opportunity or problem that the project is to
address.]

Problem in brief

Objectives

[Specific & measurable objectives]

Scope

[What will be the end result of the project? Describe what phases of work will be undertaken.]

Resource requirements

[Hardware requirements, software requirements]

Project Deliverables

[Software Project Proposal, Final Document, other documents]

Project Time and Budget plan

[Describe the main project schedule and expenses: non-recurring & monthly recurring.]

References/ Bibliography

Approval Signatures

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 Final Report Format

Declaration

Abstract

Structuring of content

Table of Content, Lists of Figures, List of Tables, List of Acronyms (if applicable)

< Section wise report breakdown>

Introduction

Motivation, Objectives and scope

Analysis

Description of current system,

Outline of existing similar solutions with references,

Requirements, Relevant diagrams for the selected methodology

Design

Alternate solution evaluation, Selected solution description/justification,

User interface design, Relevant diagrams

Implementation

Implementation environment (hardware/software),

Code and module structure description,

Acknowledgement of any reused existing code

Evaluation

Test plan and results, User evaluation

Conclusion

Critical assessment of project, Future work

References

Format, all references cited in text

Appendices (possible things to include. not all)

Project plan, feasibility report, Project WBS, Schedule, Budget etc.

System documentation, Design documentation, User documentation,

Management Reports, Test Results, important code listing etc.

Word
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 Possible
Outcomes/Criteria for PASS Page Feedback
evidence
LO 1: Be able to formulate a project
1.1 Formulate and record possible outline project specifications Task 1.1,
Task 1.2,
Task 1.3
1.2 Identify the factors that contribute to the process of project Task 02
selection
1.3 Produce a specification for the agreed project Task 3.1,
Task 3.2,
Task 3.3,
Task 3.4

1.4 Produce an appropriate project plan for the agreed project Task 04

LO 2: Be able to implement the project within agreed procedures and to specification

2.1 Match resources efficiently to the project Task 5.1

2.2 Undertake the proposed project in accordance with the agreed Task 5.2,
specification Task 6.1,
Task 6.2,
Task 6.3
Task 6.4

2.3 Organize, analyse and interpret relevant outcomes Task 6.2

Task 6.3

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 Task 6.4
Task 6.7

LO3: Be able to evaluate the project outcomes

3.1 Use appropriate project evaluation techniques Task 6.5

Task 6.6
Task 6.7

3.2 Interpret and analyse the results in terms of the original project Task 6.6
specification
3.3 Make recommendations and justify areas for further Task 7.1
consideration Task 7.2

LO4: Be able to present the project outcomes

4.1 Produce a record of all project procedures used Task 8.1

Task 8.2

4.2 use an agreed format and appropriate media to present the Task 8.2
outcomes of the project to an audience.

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Grade Descriptor for MERIT Possible evidence Feedback
M1 identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions Report: effective background analysis
of the project domain with a sound
M1.1 effective judgement have been made justification for the need for this
project. Adequate research on similar
systems.
The proposed and developed
solution shall be an effective
answer for the client and user
requirements in a real world
scenario

M2 select/design and apply appropriate methods/ techniques Report: good understanding of the
various system development
M2.2 a range of methods and techniques have been applied methodologies with their merits and
limitation.
 Evidence of the use of
appropriate fact-finding
techniques (Interview questions,
questionnaires etc.)
 Complete and cross validated
models
M3 present and communicate appropriate findings Report: provides a logical, coherent
reporting of the project work
M1.3 the appropriate structure and approach has been used undertaken to the intended
audiences
 Proper referencing and credit
given to any use of existing
material
 Standard and appropriate report
format

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  Effective visual &oral
Presentation

Grade Descriptor for DISTINCTION Possible evidence Feedback

D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify Report: highlights the positives and
valid conclusions drawback/ limitations of the
student’s work
D1.4 Realistic improvements have been proposed against defined Identifications of viable future
characteristics for success enhancements or extensions from
that of the current work

D2 Take responsibility for managing and organizing The undertaken scope is delivered
activities according to the schedule

D2.2 Substantial activities, projects or investigations have been Evidence of time management (eg.
planned, managed and organized network diagram, critical path
analysis, tracking Gantt chart)
Proper Division of work (eg. WBS)
(Evidence must be provided in the
appendix section)

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Strengths: Weaknesses:

Future Improvements & Assessor Comment:

Assessor: Signature: Date: ____/____/______

Internal Verifier’s Comments:

Internal Verifier: Signature: Date: ____/____/______

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