The lecture hours will mainly be used for discussing advanced themes, methodologies, techniques, and tools for ISD. Lectures are not intended to cover the detailed technical matters that will be required for the production of the reports and prototype; this material has been covered in an introductory way in the prerequisite courses (and students are assumed to possess such knowledge).

You should refer to your previous course notes, the recommended references, and material placed on Moodle. Some of the lectures will give brief reviews or provide you with further information about managing (and surviving!) ISD projects. As third year students we expect you to be able to organise your time effectively, to go and find out information you need if you do not already possess it, and to be able to have reports and other material ready when required.

However, the tutor and I will give you some assistance in doing so during our weekly meetings and whenever you ask for advice or assistance. The focus of this course will be a group project to develop a real-world information system, proceeding from the problem definition stage through to creating a prototype system. Students will work in groups of 4 - 6.

In the first instance, students will form themselves into groups; if necessary, the lecturer will move students between groups or add students to a group sized less than 6 members. Each group will analyse, specify, design, and partially prototype an application system for a local business. The business will be located by the group, and the project will be agreed to by the lecturer.

The project will run according to a strict timetable of deliverable parts of the final report. Effective project management of the systems design study itself, and success in meeting deadlines with professional looking materials and presentations are essential. Draft copies of the appropriate report sections required by the timetable are prepared and presented both in written and oral form by the group to the lecturer, tutors, and the class. Structured walkthroughs are done at all stages to elicit and encourage peer review of the prototypes you develop. While MS Access is provided, the technology used for the prototype is up to the group, but must be demonstrable in presentations and agreed to by the lecturer. Class attendance is expected.

Attendance at group presentations is particularly important; roll will be taken and participation will be part of your grade. The course notes provided are not comprehensive, with additional material covered in class. You are responsible for all material covered in class. Failure to maintain professional behaviour—including attendance at meetings with lecturer and tutor—will result in a loss of course marks. Failure to attend class presentations by student groups will result in a loss of marks.