NATIONAL CERTIFICATE (VOCATIONAL)

NQF LEVEL 3

INTEGRATED SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT TASK

PROGRAMME ISAT:

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER SCIENCE 2011 2013

This document consists of 17 pages.

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ISAT

-2PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION 1. Practical purpose and value of the ISAT to the workplace

The purpose of the Information Technology and Computer Science ISAT is to test students ability in applying skills, knowledge, values and attitude in a combination of hardware and software products and services that people use to manage, access, communicate and share information (data). 2. Scope of the ISAT

The ISAT comprises Systems Analysis and Design and Programming modules, which the student(s) must have gained knowledge from the class environment or studying environment that is related to Information Communication and Technology.

The ISAT project is divided into stages to allow a well oriented process for information systems development. The project is divided into stages to help students understand the fundamental concepts and procedures to be followed when planning a project for IS development.

An estimated timeframe is provided to guide the students and the lecturers on how much time is needed to start and finish the project. 3. ISAT overview
Task Task 1: Initial / Business study Task 2: Preliminary investigation Duration for the task 2 days 5 days Total marks for tasks 28 39

Task 3: Systems Analysis and Requirements definition

5 days

37

Task 4: Systems Design and requirements specification

6 days

43

Task 5: Systems Coding and Implementation Task 6: Compiling Documentation Total number
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10 days 2 days 30 days

67 36 250

ISAT

-3PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

4.

Resources requirements

Access to a computer with the following programs: 1. Word processor such as MS Word. 2. Microsoft Project or Microsoft Visio or Smart Draw software. 3. Microsoft Visual Basic Express or Microsoft Visual Basic.NET. 5. Assessment

The lecturer will evaluate the following during the assessments: 4. Time management did the student(s) meet all the deadlines? 5. Utility value Is your solution appropriate in the context of the given scenario? 6. Do the different tasks of development correlate and lead to the final solution as a continuous process? 7. Does the system deliver the functionalities as required and specified by the users?

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ISAT

-4PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

SECTION 2: INSTRUCTION TO LECTURES Guidelines for the demonstration of the project (information system) The lecturer will schedule dates and times for demonstrations. About 30 minutes per project will be allowed for demonstration. The lecturer must prepare and equip the computer lab with the required tools and software programs that will ensure successful demonstration or presentation by students. The lecturer can use a test strategy provided in the technical manual as a guideline and ask the student(s) to perform parts of or all of the test strategy. The lecturer may request the student(s) to execute other additional test procedures to make sure that the entire program is working correctly. The lecturer can use the mark sheet for Task 3 as a guideline and allocate marks accordingly during the demonstration. As part of the demonstration, the lecturer will identify random pieces of programming code (excluding the 10% recycled code) in the project. The student must then explain the purpose and working of the randomly selected code to the lecturer. This is done to ensure that students did the coding themselves. A similar type of procedure will be followed during the external moderation. If the student cannot explain the code used in the project, no marks can be awarded to the student for the project. The lecturer will evaluate the following: Time management did the student(s) meet all the deadlines? Utility value Is your solution appropriate in the context of the given scenario? Do the different tasks of development correlate and lead to the final solution as a continuous process? Does the system deliver the functionalities as required and specified by the users?

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ISAT

-5PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

SECTION 3: ASSESSMENT TOOLS A Marking Guideline is provided in a separate document to assist with the marking of Task 4 and must not be provided to students. MARKING GRIDS FOR TASKS 1 6 NOTE: The students must be provided with these marking grids when they start with the project to guide them of what is needed and how they will be assessed. The students must clearly identify their evidence by entering their name on these marking guides in the space provided. Consult and use the marking guideline provided for Task 4 in conjunction with the Marking Grid to assess student performance in this task.

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ISAT

-6PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Student Name ..

Task 1: Business Study / Initial Study The Business Case is articulated

Reason(s) for the organizations embarking on this project. The project description is well articulated. The solution addresses key business issues. Stakeholders are identified. Cost estimation and estimated time-frame is discussed. Measures to avert productivity loss during development and the transition are discussed. A minimal number of risks are discussed. The criteria to measure the success and failure of the project are articulated. Other alternatives are discussed.

4 3 3 4 2 3 4 3 2

Total Mark

28

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Mark obtained

Possible mark

ISAT

-7PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Student Name:.
Possible Mark 4 No description. 3 1 The learner did not do much research and the project is not scoped. 4 0 No information was provided for project staffing. 3 3 2 2 Mark obtained

Task 2: Preliminary Investigation Criteria

The student described the problem in his/her own words: (No task definition = 0) 4 3 1 0 Clearly described and The description is clear The description is vague, No description. unambiguous clearly but with minor leaving the reader unsure states where the student shortcomings. of what the purpose is will go and what needs to Still evidence of redundant Little evidence of be done. information. identifying redundant Identified all redundant information. information. Investigation clearly defines/explains key areas pertaining to the topic (No evidence of investigation = 0) 3 2 1 0 Comprehensive Shows good insight and understanding into all key areas of the topic. Less comprehensive Shows some insight in minor shortcomings some of the key areas. Shows some insight in most of the key areas of the topic. Project scoping was done in accordance with the problem statement 4 3 2 The project is not well scoped as it lacks certain aspects of project scoping, however some descriptions is given. 1 The learner showed little knowledge of project staffing, and no examples have been provided. Comprehensive Less comprehensive description of the project description of the project is articulated, and shows is articulated, and shows rigid researched not much rigidity of information. researched information. The process to Staffing the project was undertaken 3 The learner showed clear understanding of staffing the project, and provided examples. 2 The learner showed partial understanding of project staffing, however no examples were provided. Evaluation of systems development approaches 3 The learner investigated different systems development approaches, and made suitable choice for his/her project. Systems constraints and risks are identified 2 Systems constraints and risk are identified. The risks are practicable and well researched.

Project scoping and constraints identification

Research and Investigation

Problem statement

1 The learner did not do thorough research of systems development approaches, yet a choice was made.

1 Systems constraints are not well articulated and the systems risks are not identified.

Fact-finding techniques are evaluated and chosen, suitable for the project 2 The learner investigated different data gathering techniques and made a choice on the ones suitable for the project, and provided reasons for the choice. Copyright reserved 1 The learner showed little understanding of data gathering techniques, and did not provide any example or reasons for this task.

ISAT

-8PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Task 2: Preliminary Investigation Criteria (continued)

Feasibility study conducted (No feasibility study = 0 marks) 10 8 6 3 Feasibility study includes Feasibility study Feasibility study Feasibility technical, operational, includes at least four includes only two study includes organizational, schedule, aspects. aspects. only one legal and economic aspect. aspects. Time frame for development and implementation recommended (No time frame = 0) 4 Most appropriate time frame for scenario and well-motivated. 3 Appropriate time frame recommended but not always well motivated. 2 Time frame inappropriate or not motivated.

Feasibility study

1 Feasibility is totally irrelevant.

1 Time frame totally inappropriate and not motivated. 4

Initial developmental costs are estimated and shown (No recommendation = 0) 4 An estimated budget is shown, articulating appropriate costs for development and maintenance. 3 Appropriate recommendation that includes at least few aspects of the budget is shown. 2 Appropriate recommendation that includes at least 2 aspects. 1 Recommendation inappropriate or only includes one aspect.

Total: 39

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Possible Mark 10 4

Mark obtained

ISAT

-9PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Student Name:. Task 3: Systems Analysis Criteria

Fact-finding is conducted with recommended techniques 3 3 2 Fact-finding techniques Fact finding methods are The description of fact finding are described described with less detail techniques is provided but with appropriately and are but shows good vague or incomplete. suitable for the project. understanding. Sample of questions from participants 3 2 1 Short, clear and correct A sample of appropriate The questions are vague, with clear questions relating questions is provided. The less knowledge on the process to the system are questions are less than 7. of questioning or fact finding. provided. More than 7 Three or two questions are (seven) questions are asked. provided. 1 Only listed no description.
Possibl e Mark Mark Obtaine d

Perform fact-finding

0 No sample of questions provided.

Current systems analysis against proposed system analysis

Demographical statistical data is conducted 2 1 0 Identified all the necessary Identified most of the necessary No description. demographical data according to demographical data according to project. project. Analysis of current systems is undertaken 6 4 3 1 Entities and processes are Entities and processes are Few appropriate Entities are identified for analysis on the identified for analysis on the entities are defined analysed, current system, against the current system, against the and analysed on the yet not proposed system. More than proposed system. Less than 5 current system, but appropriate 5 entities and processes are entities and processes are with vague to the identified. identified, but not in great explanation. project. detail. User requirements specification URS 4 3 Appropriate user Appropriate user requirements requirements are defined. are defined, however less than More than five are defined. five. Systems requirements specifications SRS 4 Appropriate system requirements are defined. More than five are defined. 3 Appropriate systems requirements are defined, however less than five. 2 Few vague system requirements are defined, only two are defined. 0 No description.

2 Few vague user requirements are defined, only two are defined.

1 No user requirement s are defined.

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ISAT

-10PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Task 3: Systems Analysis Criteria (continued)

Detailed Project development time plan 8 6 A chart (Pert or Gantt) is A chart is provided provided showing all tasks showing activities and dates accordingly. with respective dates. Detailed development time and CBA 4 A chart is provided showing activities with not so clear dates. 2 A chart is provided but not with all the activities of the project, and less dates. 0 No chart provided for the project.

Possible Mark

Mark Obta ined

Cost Benefit Analysis with NPV and ROI 7 5 The learner tabulated a The learner tabulated the correct and well calculated CBA table with all the CBA of the project showing amounts needed for NPV all the amounts used and and ROI analysis. The those to be used for amounts provided are maintenance for the project. appropriate though to the The CBA shows the profit or project. loss analysis of the project over the specified period of 6 years.

3 The learner showed little knowledge in the CBA analysis And provided vague amounts that may be related t the project.

1 The CBA analysis is provided, though the amounts are inappropriate and profit/loss analysis is displayed.

Total:

37

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ISAT

-11PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Student Name:..
Possible Mark Mark Obtained

Task 4: Design and Specification Criteria

NO diagrams = 0 for all of the diagrams section The ERD diagram is created appropriately and effectively 8 5 The ERD diagram is created The ER-diagram is created with and all the appropriate some entities identified and entities are shown with the correct relationships shown, yet correct relationships and few cardinalities. cardinalities.

3 The ER diagram is shown with not many entities and the inappropriate relationships and no cardinalities.

Design and requirements specification

Description of Input (No description = 0) 5 3 All the inputs are clearly Most of the input described in described in terms of user terms of user input and other input and other sources of sources of input input

1 The description of the input is vague or incomplete

Processing : The description of the processing must show clearly how and where processing and manipulation was done to get the desired output e.g. Calculations of data or decisions required (No description = 0) 5 3 1 Good, clear and correct Descriptions clear in most Descriptions not clear or description in all instances instances. Good effort but room incomplete/incorrect in most for improvement. Not always instances correct Identification of Output (No identification = 0) 5 3 1 Identified all the required Identified most of the required Identified less than 50% of the output output required output The Process Flow diagram is created appropriately and effectively 8 5 3 The process diagram shows The process flow diagram is The diagram is inappropriate but has the correct steps and correct, yet with minor some processes that are correct. stages to be followed when shortcomings and some registering a student. inappropriate steps.

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ISAT

-12PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Task 4: Design and Specification Criteria (continued)

Illustration of Graphical User Interface = GUI input 4 3 Appropriate components Appropriate components in all instances where in most instances where required. Substantiated required. Choices not choices where required. always substantiated.

Possible Mark

Mark Obtained

2 Appropriate components in less than 50% of instances where required. Choices not substantiated. 2 Appropriate output components identified in less than 50% of instances where required. 1

1 Not done/not appropriate components in all instances.

Illustration of Graphical User Interface = GUI Output 4 3 Appropriate output components identified in all instances where required. Appropriate output components identified in most instances where required.

1 Not done/not appropriate output components identified in all instances.

Illustration of Graphical User Interface = GUI Design 2 Design appropriate to age level, computer literacy level, visual aesthetics. Design inappropriate to age level, computer literacy level, visual aesthetics. 2 2

Context sensitive help available (+ appropriate tool tip text included = 2) otherwise 1 mark

TOTAL MARK

43

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ISAT

-13PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Student Name: ..
Possible Mark Mark Obtained

Task 5: Systems Coding & Implementation Criteria

NO Database = 0 for all of the database section The Database is created appropriately and effectively 3 2 Table designs appropriate. Table designs are incomplete. Table designs speak of an Not enough tables to store data efficient solution. as per intended solution. Database relationships: (No relationships = 0) 3 2 1 0 Primary keys and foreign At least one effective At least one Default database keys key in related tables and appropriate effective used / Database effective and relationship. relationship created relationships inappropriate appropriate. Referential Referential Integrity is / Referential to intended solution. Integrity is enforced in all enforced integrity not the relationships. enforced Database Data Types ( Default Data Types used = 0) 2 1 Appropriate Data Types used. Data types used are inappropriate. Eg Currency used to store Text. Database Forms Created ( No Forms = 0) 2 1 One Form for each database table / Form Only one form / Form not modified ( No Header or modified appropriately ( Header, Footer, Layout ) No Footer) Database Queries Created ( No Queries = 0 ) 2 1 Query makes use of one or more tables. Query makes use of one table only. Database Reports Created ( No Reports = 0 ) 3 2 1 Two or more reports created and Two or more reports created / Only one report created / report makes use of (SUM, MIN, Report makes use of existing Report does not make use of MAX, AVERAGE, COUNT), query. existing queries. NB: Evaluate the source code if the program does not compile or execute. All Variables named appropriately / according to Naming Conventions (No Naming Convention = 0) Use of Data Structures ( Including Primitive Data Types (Integer, String etc), Abstract Data Types(Arrays, Lists, Queues ) 4 3 2 1 Used appropriate and Used appropriate Appropriate and most Inappropriate or ineffective use of data most effective data and most effective effective use of data structures structures to solve the data structures in structures in less than problem in all instances most instances 50% of the instances

1 The database consists of only one table / The tables contained are not appropriate to the intended solution.

Create Database

Programming Solution

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ISAT

-14PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Task 5: Systems Coding & Implementation Criteria (Continued)

Use of Selection Structures (IF, ELSEIF, CASE) 4 3 Used appropriate and Used appropriate and most effective most effective selection selection structures to structures in most solve the problem in instances all instances

Possible Mark

Mark Obtained

2 Appropriate and most effective use of selection structures in less than 50% of the instances

1 Inappropriate or ineffective use of selection structures

Use of iteration structures. (For, Do While, Do Until) 4 Used appropriate and most effective repetition structures to solve the problem in all instances 3 Used appropriate and most effective repetition structures in most instances 2 Appropriate and most effective use of repetition structures in less than 50% of the instances 1 Inappropriate or ineffective use of repetition structures

Programming Solution

Use of algorithms or other programming techniques for manipulating data. (Eg Bubble Sort, Binary Search, Multithreading) 4 3 2 1 It works correctly. It works correctly. Not Effort made but it does None used or exceeds Appropriately used always appropriately not work properly. more that 10% of code and adds value to the used or does not really Inappropriately used. solution add value to the Not relevant to the solution solution Use of Modular programming (parameter passing) (Functions, Sub/Procedures) 5 4 2 Excellent interaction/ Proficient/appropriate Limited use of communication use of modules/functions or between modules/functions or other sub-procedures. modules/classes. other sub-procedures Limited parameter Includes parameter with small flaws. passing passing Includes parameter passing between modules/ functions or other sub-procedures but not always appropriate or correct. Complexity of Algorithms/Code 4 Advanced Skilled

1 No use of modules/functions or other sub-procedures. No parameters passed 5

2 Intermediate Basic

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ISAT

-15PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Task 5: Systems Coding & Implementation Criteria (Continued)

Solution algorithms (does the code work correctly?) 4 2 1 All solution algorithms used in Most of solution algorithms used in Less than 50% of solution solving problem are solving problems are appropriate algorithms used in solving appropriate and effective. No and effective. problem are appropriate and logical errors. Few logical errors. effective. All the results of processing Many logical errors. are correct. Data Validation Techniques Input (No Validation = 0) Input validated at Design Time or Run Time 5 3 2 1 Complete validation of Most input validated Less than 50 % of input Little validation on all input. validated / Controls only Input validated at Design Controls/Components Time (eg: Masks) Error/Exception Handling (No Error Handling = 0) 3 2 1 Excellent exception handling Exceptions minimized by the use of Exception minimized by the by the use of selection selection structures and try, catch use of selection structures structures and try, catch statements. No Feedback given to only. No Feedback given to the statements. Proper Feedback user. user. given to user. Program Compiles Successfully Run Time Errors 3 2 No run time errors. All the Some of the options produce errors options are executed when executed successfully Output 3 2 Program gives correct as well as appropriate output in all cases. Logical Flow of Events 2 Program gives correct and appropriate output in most cases.

Possible Mark

Mark Obtained

Programming Solution

2 1 Only one of the options can be executed successfully 3

1 Program gives correct and appropriate output in less than 50% of the cases. . 1 3

Easy to navigate between Screens, Appropriate Navigation between screens difficult/inappropriate. menus to ease navigation. No menus to help navigate. Coding commented to explain the purpose thereof Coding indented and presented in format to enhance readability

2 2

67

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ISAT

-16PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Student Name:
Possible Mark 1 1 1 1 1 1 Mark Obtained

Task 6: Documentation and General Evaluation - Criteria

Title sheet Table of contents Introduction to the project (genre) Project scope and limitations are clearly described User input requirements/formats Output/reports produced (screen dumps included) Detailed instructions and walk-through (0 = not done) 3 2 1 All the steps to be followed when Most of the steps to be followed Only a few of the steps to be using the program clearly when using the program clearly followed when using the program indicated and supported by indicated and some screen is indicated. No screen dumps. screen dumps where required. dumps where required. Not Not well structured. Not Well structured with a logical always well structured and not formulated well. flow. Well formulated easy to always a logical flow. Not always understand. formulated well Hardware required to run program (1 mark each up to max of 3 marks) Hard drive space, memory, CPU, special devices Give list List: Software requirements listed Installation instructions given List of required files User troubleshooting clearly described Time Management: (0 = always late, work was never done) 5 4-3 2-1 All deadlines met all 4 tasks Met 4 out of 3 deadlines or Met only two deadlines or and all the required work were submitted on time but some of submitted on time but most of the done. the work was not done. work was not done. Correlation of Tasks 5 4-3 2-1 All tasks correlate with each Some tasks correlate with each Tasks do not correlate with each other. other. other. Utility Value 5 4-3 2-1 The solution is a working system The solution is a system that can Some parts can be applied in the that can be applied in a real be applied in a real situation with real situation situation some fine tuning Project Deliverables 5 Systems able to deliver all functionalities as required/specified by users 4-3 Systems delivered limited functionalities as required/specified by users 2-1 Systems was unable to deliver all functionalities as required/specified by users Total:

User Guide

3 1 1 1 1

General Evaluation

36

GRAND TOTAL: 250

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ISAT

-17PROGRAMME: Information Technology and Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

SECTION 4: RECORD OF PERFORMANCE College: Campus: Students Surname and First Name/s: Students ID Number: Lecturers Surname and Initials: Date of conclusion of assessment: TASKS Task 1: Initial / Business study Task 2: Preliminary investigation Task 3: Systems Analysis and Requirements definition Task 4: Systems Design and requirements specification Task 5: Systems Coding & Implementation Task 6: Documentation & Evaluation Total Percentage ASSESSMENT GRID MARK ALLOCATION
28 39 37 43 67 36

STUDENTS MARK

250 100%

COMPETENCE LEVEL INDICATORS 5-Point Achievement Rating Scale 4 3 2 (70-79%) (50-69%) (40-49%) Competency Level Indicators Rating Outstanding Highly Competent Competent Not Yet Competent Not Achieved

5 (80-100%) Rating Code 5 4 3 2 1 Students competence level: Students signature: Lecturers signature: Date:

1 (0-39%) Marks % 80 100 % 70 79 % 50 69 % 40 49 % 0 39%

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NATIONAL CERTIFICATE (VOCATIONAL)

NQF LEVEL 3

INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS

INTEGRATED SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT TASK

PROGRAMME ISAT:

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER SCIENCE 2011 2013

This document consists of 9 pages.

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ISAT Instructions to Students -2PROGRAMME: Information Technology & Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

BACKGROUND This ISAT tests students ability in applying skills, knowledge, values and attitude in a combination of hardware and software products and services that people use to manage access, communicate and share information (data).

The ISAT comprises Systems Analysis and Design and Principles of Computer Programming modules, which the student(s) must have gained knowledge from the class environment or studying environment that is related to Information Communication and Technology.

The table below gives a summary of the six tasks in this ISAT:
Task Task 1: Initial / Business study Task 2: Preliminary investigation Task 3: Systems Analysis and Requirements definition Task 4: Systems Design and requirements specification Task 5: Systems Coding and Implementation Task 6: Compiling Documentation Total number Duration for the task 2 day 5 days 5 days 6 days 10 days 2 days 30 days Total marks for tasks 28 39 37 43 67 36 250

INSTRUCTIONS: The student should hand in all the documentation after the demonstration has taken place at least 48 hours after, however ONLY when the lecturer has (re)assessed the project. Students should adhere to timeframes The demonstrations must be done electronically on the computer in the computer lab. The student(s) must execute his/her computer program and show all the features of the program to the lecturer for evaluation. The student(s) must hand in the electronic copy of the project that was demonstrated. The lecturer will use this copy to allocate any outstanding marks in order to finalise the mark.
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ISAT Instructions to Students -3PROGRAMME: Information Technology & Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Scenario 1
Background of the study Monument FET College has 5000 students at the five campuses across the country. Monument FET College would like to increase the intake of students at the current campuses and expand to two other provinces. The college management IT/IS strategic planning session has decided that it needs to design and develop a new information system that will be able to manage the expansion as well as the influx of students to the college. The college management and its functional department managers have instructed the IT/IS department to embark on the process of systems development and implementation of the state-of-the-art technology across all campuses with the use of the cloud computing technology. The college management has also approved an estimated budget of R2, 500 000 (R2, 5m) to develop and maintain the proposed systems for the next six years. Problem statement Monument FET College has grown extensively in the last three years, and projections for the next three years indicate that student enrolment will increase by 33%. The College currently has five campuses with future plans to open two more campuses. The current IT network set up allows for the sharing of few resources between the campuses, thus hampering other extensively needed sharing and communication between campuses. The college currently uses a manual system for student registration, were all students (new and old) have to complete an application form for admission, which will later be captured by the admin staff and thereafter filed by the registrar. The current registration process is tedious and time consuming as it takes two months to process all the application forms to be captured and filed. Students must fill in their personal details, residential addresses and postal addresses, parents or guardian details, and also fill in the courses details. The subjects are filled in by the Head of Department of respective departments. Incomplete forms are not captured thus delaying the process of finalizing class registers and the registration process. The disintegration of the current systems at the college does not allow students to inquire or register at the other campuses, rather than were they are attending. The college management has decided to implement the concept of cloud computing to revamp the IT/IS infrastructure for all campuses. The college has contracted your organization to design, develop and implement a new technology infrastructure that would be able to meet the expansion and large enrolments expected at the college. You have been appointed as the Project Manager/Systems Analyst for this project. Use this information and your knowledge to plan, co-ordinate, manage, design and develop and include an analysis presentation that will resemble the optimum solution for the problem experienced at the Monument FET College. Use a combination of methodologies of Rapid Application Development (RAD), Joint Application Development (JAD) and Structured Analysis, which is based on the concept of Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to develop a new system for Monument FET College.

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ISAT Instructions to Students -4PROGRAMME: Information Technology & Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Task 1: Project initiation / Business study

Information: Business case refers to the reasons, justifications for a project. A business case should be comprehensive, yet easy to understand, and it should describe the project clearly, proving the justification to proceed and estimate the projects financial impact. NB: The summary report must not have less than 150 words. 1. Prepare a Business case for any of the scenario chosen, using the following questions/points as your guideline. a. b. c. d. e. f. Why is the organization doing or embarking-on this project? What is the project about? How does the solution address key business issues? Who are the internal stakeholders and external stakeholders of the project? How much will it cost and how long will it take? Will the organization suffer productivity loss during the transition (manual to computerized)? g. h. What are the risks of doing the project? What are the risks of NOT doing the project? How will we measure the success of the project? How will we measure the failure of the project? i. What alternatives do we have? (2 days- 28 marks)

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ISAT Instructions to Students -5PROGRAMME: Information Technology & Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

NOTE: For this stage, submit a business case documentation consisting of the contents based on answers from the questions above.

Task 2: Preliminary Investigation

Use the following guidelines to prepare your preliminary investigation documentation. NB: Use the information from the business case to draft your project scope. 1. Understand the problem or opportunity associated with the scenario. a. Summarise the problem statement in your own words, and provide a clear understanding of what the problem is with the current system. b. 2. Identify and discuss the critical objectives of the proposed project.

Define the project scope and constraints. a. Summarise the scope of the entire project, beginning with the current situation leading to the proposed system. Give an ideal picture or logic view of what is to be done within the project, and what is NOT to be done within the project. b. Identify the people who will be involved in the project, termed staffing the project and assign tasks and responsibilities to each. Evaluate and choose a suitable systems development approach for the project e.g. Waterfall approach, Parallel approach or Prototyping approach, etc. Identify the constraints and risks that may be encountered within the project development time. (E.g. budget, short time-frame, etc.) Investigate the different techniques or methods of gathering data and choose the ones most suitable to your project.

c.

d.

e. 3.

Conduct feasibility study and evaluate different feasibility options. a. Conduct FIVE feasibility options with regard to your project, to determine its value and significance. b. Evaluate the following feasibility options against your project. i. Economic feasibility ii. Technical feasibility iii. Organizational feasibility iv. Operational feasibility v. Schedule feasibility

4.

Estimate an initial project development time and costs. a. Provide an initial development plan and the estimated cost for the project. b. Provide an estimation of the timeframe that it will take to complete the project and also the amount needed to finance this project. (5 days- 39 marks)

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ISAT Instructions to Students -6PROGRAMME: Information Technology & Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Task 3: Analysis and Design

The overall objective of system analysis stage is to understand the proposed project to ensure that it will support the business requirements, and build a solid foundation for the later stage and systems development. Use the following guideline to plan the documentation required for this stage. 1. Perform fact-finding a. From the methods or techniques of data gathering investigated in Stage 1 conduct fact-finding based on the JAD/RAD principles. b. Provide a sample of questions presented to participants and their details as reference to the fact-finding process. Investigate the demographical statistics of the participants (users and managers) within the IS development project. (E.g. number of female/ male participants, race or ethnicity, level of knowledge on computer literacy).

c.

2.

Conduct an analysis of the current system against the analysis of the proposed system. a. Conduct a systems analysis of the current systems and the proposed systems focusing on the identification of Who, What, Where, When, How, and Why is involved in the system. b. The analysis on the above must be based on people (users), processes, networking & communication, data & information, use-interfaces and system architecture relating to the current/proposed system. Identify and list all the users requirements with r egard to the proposed system. (User Requirements Specification - URS). Identify and list all the system requirements with regard to the proposed system. (System Requirements Definition - SRD).

c.

d.

3.

Provide a detailed project development time-frame and development cost. a. Provide a detailed project development plan showing all the activities /tasks to be undertaken within the project with their start date and end date, including slack time if allowed. i. (Use Microsoft Visio, MS Project or other software programs to illustrate the Gantt chart or Pert Chart) b. Calculate and tabulate a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) showing the Net Present Value (NPV) of the project, against the possible Return on Investment (ROI) of the project. Use the budget amount approved by the management as the total money for the project, and with the other amounts provided from your own discretion. The CBA/ROI must show the cost of development, operational, maintenance and benefits or losses (if any) through a period of 6 years. (5 days- 37 marks)

c.

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ISAT Instructions to Students -7PROGRAMME: Information Technology & Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Task 4: Design and Requirements Specification

The overall objective of system analysis stage is to understand the proposed project to ensure that it will support the business requirements, and build a solid foundation for the later stage and systems development. Use the following guideline to plan the documentation required for this stage. NB: Use Microsoft Visio or other drawing programs to draw the diagrams below. 1. Illustrate the proposed system using structured analysis or Object-Oriented analysis models. a. b. Draw an Entity Relationship Diagram to illustrate a logic view of the database. Draw a I-P-O Chart showing the el`ements listed below : Inputs With descriptions in terms of user inputs and other sources of inputs Processing Indicate where and how the processing or the manipulation of data will be done Output Identify all the required outputs c. 2. Draw a Process Flow Diagram/Flowchart for Registering a new student.

Draw or illustrate the system-interface for your application. a. b. The user-interface forms/screens need not be coded. The forms or screens may be showed as a layout of drawings by hand or be plotted using Microsoft Visual Studio.NET.

3.

Prepare an updated project development plan. a. Provide an updated project development plan, if there were any changes to the schedule. (6 days- 43 marks)

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ISAT Instructions to Students -8PROGRAMME: Information Technology & Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Task 5: System Coding & Implementation

The overall objective of system coding stage is to write the programming code that will implement the solution. This includes coding the GUI that was planned in Task 4, creating the appropriate algorithms and data structures, debugging and testing the solution. Use the following guideline to plan the documentation required for this stage. NB: Use Microsoft Access to implement the database design. Use Microsoft Visual Basic Express / Microsoft Visual Basic.NET 2005 for the coding. 1. Create the Database a. Use MS Access and create the appropriate and necessary data structures to store and organise the data. ( Use ERD and IPO created in TASK 4 as guides) 2. Code the Interface a. b. Code the GUI (created in Task 4) using Visual Basic Express or Visual Basic.NET. Code the solution using Visual Basic Express or Visual Basic.NET, according to the requirements and specifications planned in the previous tasks. Marks will be awarded according to the functionality (Algorithms and Calculations) of the code, together with general readability of the code, use of comments, Good programming practices (Naming Conventions, Code re-use, Implicit and Explicit Conversion/Data Types etc). c. Error Handling Ensure that the program is able to accommodate Error/Exception handling. Input should be validated wherever deemed necessary and should an error occur the program should be able to deal with the error in an acceptable manner without abruptly terminating (crashing). d. Ensure that the program is Tested and Debugged properly. Marks will be deducted if the program does not compile. Apply a test strategy to ensure that the program is able to perform without compromising integrity of the data, functionality of software. Compile a list of some test data that was used to test the program. 3. Evaluate the program a. Evaluate your program. Did you apply good programming practices? Are the controls/components named correctly, is the code commented and easy to read. Did you use naming conventions? Are the variables and data types used appropriate? Are the functions and sub-procedures, which are used appropriate? b. Compile an executable program for evaluation. (10 days- 67 marks)

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ISAT Instructions to Students -9PROGRAMME: Information Technology & Computer Science, Level 3

2011 2013

Task 6:Documentation & General Evaluation

The overall objective of this stage is to compile all the documentation that was generated throughout the development together with creating a user manual for the program/system. Use the following guideline to plan the documentation required for this stage. 1. The following guidelines can be used to create a user manual for the program/system. a) Title sheet and table of contents. b) Background to the project. Here the history of the development of the project should be described. c) How to use the software detail depends on the complexity of the software and the user-friendliness of the GUI. Screen Dumps can be included to show the user what each form(s) can perform. d) Scope and limitations of the program/system. e) PC Requirements f) Hardware requirements for the program. (Eg: hard drive space, memory space, CPU, special input devices, etc.) g) Software required in addition to the program itself. (Eg: Operating system version, etc.) h) Installation instructions. i) Detailed instructions for the user and a walk-through of the program. j) Input required. The exact format of the input should be specified, particularly if formatted input is being used, for example a date. k) Output/reports produced. l) Troubleshooting for potential problems m) References and acknowledgements, especially where third party software or algorithms/functions and coding is used. 2. Your lecturer will then conduct a general evaluation based on: a. Time-management. Did you meet all deadlines as per the project plan? b. Correlation of tasks. Do the tasks flow into each other? c. Utility value. Does the proposed solution have a real value in terms of implementation in a real world environment? d. Overall Project Deliverables. Did the final end product (program/system) meet the requirements as set out in Task 2? (2 days- 36 marks)
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