ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

Qualification BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Computing

Unit number Unit 32: Quality systems in IT

Assignment title Quality in Amazon’s IT System Software Development

Academic Year 2018 – 2019

Unit Tutor Michael Omar

Issue date Submission date

IV name and date Dr. Doan Trung Tung

Assignment title Quality in Amazon’s IT System Software Development

Aim of the To provide learners with an understanding of the importance of the quality
assignment process as applied to IT-related systems development.

Amazon Inc. is an American international e- commerce company. It was started

by Jeffrey P. Bezos in the year 1994. Today, it is the world largest online retailer.
From a simple user’s point of view, Amazon is a Web-based application fulfilling
Specific three purposes:
requirements 1. Find general information about available books
(see Appendix for 2. Check the prices of books
assessment criteria 3. Purchase books to be sent home
and grade
descriptors) Amazon makes use of the latest information technologies to maintain, and
develop, its competitiveness including “big data” and cloud-based e-commerce
applications which are web-browser accessible and database-centred. It
develops these in-house using its extensive business analysis and computing
expertise in these areas.

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 You have been appointed as a senior systems analyst who also has particular
responsibility for ensuring that the company’s IT systems are developed, and
evolved, to the highest possible quality standards to ensure their cost-effective
development and maintenance. It is also one of your responsibilities to train
colleagues in your team about the importance of:
 quality,
 quality standards,
 quality assurance,
 quality in the development life-cycle,
 quality control documentation, and
 The role of project management tools and techniques in the production
of high quality IT systems.

Task 1 : (LO1: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3)

With reference to the web-site development aspect of Amazon’s IT system:

a) Briefly discuss the various SQA standards that are defined in respect of the
development of IT systems

b) Briefly discuss the risks associated with the development of an IT system

which has a database at its center.

c) Describe the systems development life-cycle (SDLC) as it applies to database

development, and then go on to explain how each phase of the life-cycle is
quality assured. Include an annotated diagram of the SDLC in your answer.

Task 2 (LO2: 2.1)

With reference to the web-site development aspect of Amazon’s IT system,

produce the following:

1) A software test plan (STP)

2) A software test description (STD)

3) A software test report (STR)

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 Task 3 (LO3: 3.1,3.2)

With reference to the web-site development aspect of Amazon’s IT system:

a) Explain the importance of project management to the production of high

quality IT systems.

b) Produce:

1) a Work Breakdown Structure,

2) a GANTT chart
3) a Critical Path Method

for Amazon’s web-site development project

1. You should write this assignment in the essay style, although a formal essay
structure will not be required.

2. You should use tables, diagrams and figures where appropriate and be sure to
give sources of information.
Student guidelines
3. You should include a list of references to all cited sources using the Harvard
referencing system.

4. You should use font Calibri size 12 with 1.5 spacing for your report.

Submission
Besides the soft copy, students are expected to submit hard copy of the report
requirements

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 APPENDIX 1: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA AND GRADE DESCRIPTORS

Merit grade:

Merit descriptors Indicative Evidence Assessor Achieved Internal

characteristics (Task comments/feedba (Yes/No) verifier
number, ck comment
other) s
M1 Identify and 1. Effective judgements All tasks
apply strategies to have been made.
find appropriate
solutions
2. An effective
approach to study
and research has
been applied
M2 Select/design 1. Relevant theories Task 2
and apply and techniques have
appropriate been applied
methods/techniques
2. The design of
methods/techniques
has been justified
M3 Present and 1. An appropriate All tasks
communicate structure and
appropriate findings method has been
used and technical
language has been
accurately used to
present the findings.

2. Communication has
taken place in
familiar and
unfamiliar contexts

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 Distinction grade:

Distinction Indicative Evidence Assessor Achieved Internal

descriptors characteristics (Task number, comments/feedba (Yes/No) verifier
other) ck comment
s
D1 Use critical 1. Conclusions have All tasks
reflection to been arrived at
evaluate own work through synthesis of
and justify valid ideas and have been
conclusions justified

2. The validity of results

has been evaluated
using defined criteria
D2 Take 1. Substantial activities All tasks
responsibility for have been planned,
managing and managed and
organising activities organised

2. Activities have been

managed
D3 Demonstrate 1. Self-evaluation has All tasks
convergent/lateral/ taken place
creative thinking
2. Problems have been
solved

This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose

Internal
Signature Date
Verifier 1

Internal
Signature Date
Verifier 2

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