Higher Nationals
Assignment Brief – BTEC (RQF)
Higher National Diploma in Computing
Student Name/ID Number
Unit Number and Title
Unit 9: Software Development Lifecycles
Academic Year
2021 - 2022
Unit Tutor
Assignment Title
Assignment 1
Issue Date
Submission Date
IV Name & Date
Submission Format
This should be written in a concise, formal business style using single spacing and font size 12.
You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs and subsections as appropriate, and all
work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard referencing system.
Please also provide a bibliography using the Harvard referencing system.
Unit Learning Outcomes
LO1 Describe different software development lifecycles.
LO2 Explain the importance of a feasibility study
Assignment Brief and Guidance
You have just been recruited into a software development company BKSoftware. There is a lot
of professional discussion going on about optimal development methodology, lifecycle models.
Some employees prefer new methods, some employees favor different methods for different
projects. As a new hire, considered argument neutral, it is your responsibility to prepare a
presentation on:
1. Software development life cycle overview, showing 7 stages of SDLC.
2. Create a presentation describing two iterative software lifecycle models and two
sequential software lifecycle models. Go on to show how to manage risk in each of these
models.
3. The waterfall model is highly appreciated by many of your colleagues, evaluating its
application to a large-scale development project.
4. Then to ensure that this is all clear produce a discussion, illustrated by an example, as to
why a particular lifecycle model might be chosen for a particular development
environment. Make both sides of the discussion clear and detailed.
For the second part of this, there has been much discussion over the quality of some
specifications put to the company for development and the issue of feasibility has come to the
fore.
Your next task is therefore to explain the importance feasibility studies can have on the whole
development process. To this end you will have to produce a document that includes all of the
following:
1. An assessment of the impact different feasibility criteria has on a software investigation.
2. A straightforward explanation of the purpose of doing a feasibility report on a potential
software development.
3. A discussion of the different components that make up a feasibility report.
4. A description of how alternative technical solutions can be compared effectively.
Pass
Merit
LO1 Describe different software development lifecycles
P1 Describe two iterative and
M1 Discuss, with an example,
two sequential software
why a particular lifecycle model
lifecycle models.
is selected for a development
P2 Explain how risk is managed
environment.
in these models.
LO2 Explain the importance of a feasibility study
P3 Explain the purpose of a
M2 Discuss the components of
feasibility report.
a feasibility report.
Distinction
D1 Assess the merits of applying
the Waterfall lifecycle model to
a large software development
project.
D2 Assess the impact of
different feasibility criteria on a
software investigation.
P4 Describe how technical
solutions can be compared.
LO3 Undertake a software development lifecycle
P5 Undertake a software
investigation to meet a business M3 Analyze how software
need.
requirements can be traced
P6 Use appropriate software
throughout the software
analysis tools/techniques to
lifecycle.
carry out a software
M4 Discuss two approaches to
investigation and create
improving software quality.
supporting documentation.
LO4 Discuss the suitability of software behavioral design
techniques
M5 Analyze a range of
software behavioral tools
and techniques.
P7 Discuss using examples the
suitability of software
M6 Differentiate between
behavioral design techniques
a finite state machines
(FSM) and an extended FSM,
providing an
application for both.
D3 Evaluate the process of
undertaking a systems
investigation with regards to its
effectiveness in improving
software quality.
D4 Present justifications of
how data driven software
can improve the reliability
and effectiveness of
software