Staffordshire University & APIIT

MSc Software Engineering and MSc in IT Management

Software Engineering Support Environments

COURSE WORK ASSIGNMENT – ‘UK Systems’ Case Study

Rationale:

The theoretical processes of software engineering and the effectiveness of software

engineering support tools are often modified by operational constraints. This assignment is
an opportunity for you to examine the way in which organisations develop software and to
reflect on the reasons for this, to analyse its effectiveness and make recommendations.

Task:

You are required to analyse and propose a software development process that may be
suitable for the organisation in the case study supplied for the company ‘UK Systems’. You
must look outside any individual job and at the whole process. The report should be clearly
structured and analyse the effectiveness of the software development process and the
support tools you propose. You are welcome to make assumptions where information has
not been supplied and these assumptions should be clearly stated. It will be necessary to
describe the organisation’s activities in more detail than is given in order to put the software
development process into context.

Notes:
1) You are encouraged to discuss the topics you are considering including with your tutor,
during the course.

2) It is expected that your report will include correctly referenced academic materials to
relate your findings to the theory.

3) Word count: approximately 3,000 words. This is kept low to encourage you to be very
clear about the relevant factors. Appendices may be used for diagrams/charts if required.

4) Marks are available as follows:

Detailed explanation of the Software Development process 10%
Outline of the Software Development Methodology recommended 5%
Description of the Tools Available to various staff 20%
Critical analysis of the effectiveness of the Tools 40%
Conclusion and/or recommendations 20%
Academic Referencing 5%

http://www.mountaingoatsoftware.com/topics/scrum