31257 Information System Development Methodologies
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 31269 Business Requirements Modelling
Anti-requisite(s): 31092 Information Systems Development Approaches
Recommended studies:
knowledge of the software development life cycle and systems modelling techniques
Description
Successfully designing and developing information systems is complex and difficult. A number of techniques and approaches have been developed but there are no 'silver bullet' solutions to the problems that plague IT development projects. This subject introduces students to a number of different methodologies and provides them with the skills they need to identify their strengths and weaknesses in key areas. These issues are of critical importance to those wishing to successfully manage software projects.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Analyse key aspects of a number of Information System development methodologies to develop business Systems. (B.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Explain that different methodologies target different aspects of Information System development, such as requirements gathering, project management or cross-organisational development. (C.1) |
| 3. | Evaluate development methodologies and articulate their underlying philosophies to solve organisational Information System problems. (D.1) |
| 4. | Illustrate a methodology, or aspects of different methodologies to substantiate the suitability of particular circumstances. (D.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs and cultural perspectives, establish priorities and goals, and identify constraints, uncertainties and risks (social, ethical, cultural, legislative, environmental, economics etc.) to define the system requirements. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
- 1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline.
- 2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
- 2.4. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
- 3.3. Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
Teaching and learning strategies
Students will learn through a combination of classes and tutorials where they will engage in collaborative learning activities as well as online discussions with their peers. Students will form teams to investigate information systems development methodologies with reference to case studies.
Information Systems (IS) Development Methodologies is supported by slides, tutorial work and case studies on Canvas and a textbook for this subject. Students are required to access and use the weekly pre-class materials as a sense making exercise attempting to create questions and explanations that will be used in class. The slides include directions on how to solve different problems arising out of the system at different times. Questions arise from discussions and experiences, these are proposed and discussed in tutorial groups. In class the lecturer explains the complex background for each topic based on these Canvas materials and encourages students to use their sense making to clarify their interpretations through verbal feedback.
Tutorials follow the class, in which students form teams. Each week, fifteen minutes is spent to discuss feedback on the assessment tasks. Students work in teams and are given questions based on a case study. They are required to use design thinking approach to define the problem and are encouraged to come up with solution ideas that they present to their peers and educators. Students are expected to critique and evaluate each other’s responses. This imparts peer feedback on a weekly basis so that students learn from one another.
Tutorial activities and assessment tasks are based on collaborative activities which require decision making skills.
Content (topics)
- Information System Development Life Cycle
- Techniques and Tools
- Information System Development Methodologies
- Framework for evaluating methodologies
- Comparison of some methodologies
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Review Quiz
| Intent: | To ensure pre requisites are well understood and ensure appropriate and tailored feedback is provided to enable catching up where required. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and C.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 5% |
Assessment task 2: Project Report Part A
| Intent: | To ensure that the choices of an ISD project can be argued and justified. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | Report A should not be more than 1000 words. |
| Criteria: | Assessment details and marking criteria can be found in Canvas. |
Assessment task 3: Review Quiz 2
| Intent: | To ensure that students are up-to-date and provide appropriate and tailored feedback to enable catching up where required. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and C.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 5% |
Assessment task 4: Project Report Part B
| Intent: | To ensure that a professional analysis and development report of an ISD project can be produced. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | Report B should not be more than 2000 words |
Assessment task 5: Project Presentation
| Intent: | To ensure that a professional oral presentation can be delivered to describe the work done in an ISD project and to be able to defend design choices if required |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Length: | 15 minutes |
Assessment task 6: Final Exam
| Intent: | To ensure that ISD knowledge is adequate to partake in a development team and to be able to follow standard development templates if required. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 90 minutes |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Recommended texts
Pressman, R.S. and Maxim, B.R. Software Engineering: A practitioner's Approach. Ed.9. McGraw Hill, 2020.
References
Baltzan,P.,Lynch,K. and Fisher,J.(2020). Business Driven Information Systems. 7th ed. McGraw-Hill.
Whitten,J.L. and Bentley, L.D. Systems Analysis and Design Methods. 7th ed. McGraw-Hill.
Avison, David and Fitzgerald, Guy (2006). Information Systems Development: Methodologies, Techniques and Tools, 4th ed., McGraw-Hill.
Other resources
Online support for this subject will be via Canvas at https://canvas.uts.edu.au/