Research Project / Third Year Project

The primary aim of this module is to engage learners in the comprehensive completion of a substantial project involving both research and development components. Participants are tasked with creating a fully functional software application tailored for either desktop computing or mobile devices.

Learners will present and document their procedural approach. The overarching goals of this module encompass the application of acquired knowledge within the programme and the creation of an application from its inception. Learners are expected to devise a comprehensive project utilizing selected technology, and subsequently navigate through the iterative stages of research, design, implementation, and analysis of the finalized product. Furthermore, they are anticipated to present their work to a cohort of their peers for evaluation and critique.

Overview and Introduction

Project Management and Submission

• Overview of software project management methodologies, including Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid approaches. Discussion of project scope, objectives, and stakeholder management
• Techniques for creating project plans, defining milestones, and allocating resources. Introduction to project management tools such as Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and critical path analysis
• Setting deadlines
• Techniques for gathering, documenting, and prioritising software requirements
• Introduction to use cases, user stories, and requirement traceability

Brainstorming and Mindmapping

• Best practices for effective communication and collaboration within software development teams
• Introduction to collaboration tools such as version control systems (e.g., Git), issue tracking systems, and communication platforms
• Teamwork to analyse proposed applications
• Research tools and methodologies

Software Design

• Principles of software design, including modularization, abstraction, and coupling
• Exploration of architectural patterns such as MVC (Model-View-Controller) and microservices

Quality Assurance and Maintenance

• Techniques for ensuring software quality throughout the development lifecycle
• Introduction to software maintenance processes, including bug fixing, feature enhancements, and version control

Project Presentation and Demonstration

• Presentation Skills
• Preparation and delivery of a final project presentation and demonstration
• Showcase of the software solution developed during the module, highlighting key features, functionality, and contributions from team members
• Project reporting the software process