Application Development Methods: Unit 1 Group Project ✓ Solved

APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT METHODS 2 Unit 1 Group Project

The company Education Information Systems (EiS) is an information and management company that specializes in the creation and care of large-scale educational information and technology systems. EiS has implemented and managed systems ranging from pre-K to 12th year primary school systems, and is developing larger scale systems to facilitate collegiate, graduate, and post-graduate educational institutions.

By utilizing the new system supplied by EiS, this will allow the educational institutions to move forward with the latest in software development, adapt as the needs change, as well as keep a history of past data to ensure that the students and faculty have the best chances of success in the ever-changing world of online learning.

At the start of the requirement phase of the project, the discussions will involve business stakeholders, IT personnel, project designers, vendors, and finance personnel to gather information. This will include interviews with a select group of participants who will answer a survey to gather insights about the project. Sample questions will address the project's potential solutions, cost of implementation, risk factors, and user accessibility issues.

System components and design requirements must be finalized based on elicitation results that address the needs of the Education Information System, which is concerned with management and large-scale information systems in education. Required components include hardware, software, and user interfaces.

The proposed methodology for managing the application development process effectively will utilize the Spiral Model. This methodology, known for its flexibility and continuous risk assessment, allows for iterative development through successive prototypes, ensuring that potential risks are managed throughout the development lifecycle.

Implementing a complete features and trade-off analysis will help define the final deliverables, integrated with a detailed timeline and dependencies. System architecture will be aligned with these requirements, ensuring that the architecture supports operational effectiveness and user accessibility.

The technical design document will contribute significantly to clarity in project implementation, while a design review checklist and a systematic testing and deployment schedule will ensure quality assurance throughout the project stages.

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction

The development of application systems in the educational domain involves meticulous planning and methodical execution. Education Information Systems (EiS) is at the forefront, aiming to provide scalable and efficient information systems for educational institutions. The need for a robust application development methodology is critical in delivering a solution that is both functional and user-centric, addressing the evolving requirements of stakeholders.

Overview of the Company and the Business Case

Education Information Systems is dedicated to providing comprehensive management solutions tailored to educational institutions. By implementing systems that facilitate data sharing, secure storage, and user-friendly interfaces, EiS fosters an environment conducive to learning and teaching. The company strives to adapt its technological offerings to meet the demands of contemporary educational structures and to enhance the academic experiences of students and faculty alike.

The need for reliable information systems in academia is paramount. Educational institutions face the challenge of managing vast quantities of data, including student records, course materials, and faculty information. EiS's systems are designed to not only handle these requirements but also to provide insights and analytics that drive educational excellence.

Application Requirement Elicitation Strategy

Requirement elicitation is a fundamental step in software development that informs project direction and scope. The strategy developed by EiS involves a comprehensive approach that combines interviews and surveys with active stakeholder participation. Essential stakeholders, including faculty, students, and administrative staff, will be engaged through structured interviews designed to extract valuable insights about user needs and system inefficiencies.

Critical questions guiding this elicitation process will include: What challenges are faced by users? What are the specific functionalities expected of the new system? How will the proposed solutions address these needs effectively? These questions will drive discussions, ensuring that all perspectives are considered and integrated into the application requirements.

System Components and Design Requirements

To develop a system that meets the educational sector's demands, a clear understanding of necessary hardware, software, and interface elements is crucial. The proposed system will leverage modern technologies encompassing various hardware configurations suitable for an educational environment. Network infrastructure will include Local Area Networks (LANs) to facilitate efficient inter-device communications.

Software applications will comprise user-friendly graphic interfaces and robust databases, ensuring that users can access necessary information with ease. Moreover, the interface designed for the Educational Information System (EIS) will focus on user engagement, simplifying navigation to enhance the user experience significantly.

Methodology for Application Development Process

The Spiral Model, chosen for its iterative nature, supports continuous enhancement of the application throughout its development lifecycle. This methodology emphasizes the incorporation of stakeholder feedback at all stages, ensuring that:

1. The initial requirements are re-evaluated, and adjustments are made as necessary based on ongoing feedback.

2. Prototypes facilitate discussions that lead to informed decisions regarding design and functionality.

3. Prototype iterations help in mitigating potential risks associated with each phase of development.

Engaging stakeholders at each spiral phase will enhance project ownership and reduce resistance to change, fostering a collaborative environment where innovation can thrive.

Milestones and Deliverables

Establishing clear milestones is essential for tracking project progress and ensuring timely deliverables. Each phase of development, from requirement gathering to testing, will have defined timelines and associated tasks. The charting of these milestones allows project managers to monitor the project's trajectory and address any issues that may arise promptly.

System architecture aligning with the overall project requirements will bolster operational functionality. The architecture will be designed with scalability in mind, allowing for easy enhancements as educational demands evolve over time.

Testing and Deployment

Testing forms a critical part of the deployment strategy, ensuring that the final product is reliable and meets user expectations. An organized testing phase, inclusive of user acceptance testing (UAT) and performance evaluations, will precede the system's launch.

Deployment will then occur in a staged manner, allowing for real-time adjustments based on stakeholder feedback and system performance metrics post-launch.

References

  • Alvarado, D., Bailey, E. I., & Carver, W. R. (2018). U.S. Patent No. 9,880,592. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  • Collins, N., Theurich, G., Deluca, C., Suarez, M., Trayanov, A., Balaji, V., & Da Silva, A. (2015). Design and implementation of components in the Earth System Modeling Framework. The International Journal of High Performance Computing Applications, 19(3).
  • Davis, W. S., & Yen, D. C. (2018). The information system consultant's handbook: Systems analysis and design. CRC Press.
  • Guanfu, S., & Ershun, Z. (2018). Research and Development of Components Geographic Information Systems. Journal of Image and Graphics.
  • Walls, J. G., Widmeyer, G. R., & El Sawy, O. A. (2015). Building an information system design theory for vigilant EIS. Information Systems Research, 3(1), 36-59.
  • Software Engineering | Requirements Elicitation. (2018, April 09). Retrieved from [Insert URL]
  • Johnstrom, H., & Markkula, J. (2018). User-Centered Design in Software Development: Experiences from the Field. Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development, 6(1), 4.
  • Laureate Education (2019). Educational Technology and Online Learning in Higher Education. Baltimore, MD: Laureate Publishing.
  • Brown, A., & Smith, J. (2020). Implementing Agile Methodologies in Educational Software Development. International Journal of Educational Technology.
  • Jones, B., & Robinson, C. (2021). The Role of Feedback in System Design. Journal of Information Technology Education: Innovations in Practice.

Related Assignments