Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives At the completion of this subject students should know all stages in the process of developing an information system, the roles and responsibilities of clients, system users and developers in a system development project; understand how information systems are developed, the levels of abstraction at which a system can be described and the role of tools, techniques and methods in the development of an information system; be able to plan and manage the full range of activities in an information systems development project, work productively in a team and communicate effectively with clients and system users; appreciate how to work productively in a team, the applicability and limitation of using particular approaches to certain problem areas, and their social, ethical and professional obligations in designing, maintaining or advising on information systems.
Synopsis Students work in project groups (no more than six people) on a system development project for a client who may be either internal or external to Monash. In general, projects involve all aspects of the system development life cycle. Project management aspects of system development are stressed. To fulfil the requirements of the subject, the team must produce a negotiated product (usually including a project proposal, a project plan, a system specification, user documentation and some software) and perform project management activities to ensure the project is delivered on time. Students will be required to maintain a diary of work performed. Each member of the team must demonstrate a significant contribution to the team effort, a sense of responsibility for the project outcome and for developing skills for interaction with the client. Weekly seminars will be given by department staff and guest lecturers covering a range of topics appropriate to professional practice. Attendance at these seminars and at weekly meetings with a supervisor, group meetings and client meetings is mandatory. A student in part-time or full-time employment in the computer industry may, with the agreement of all affected parties, introduce appropriate materials from his or her employment as part of the assessment for this subject. Assessment will be based on participation in the seminar series, two seminar presentations, quarterly supervisor's reports, evaluation of the final product by two assessors other than the supervisor, and peer assessment of each team member's contribution.
Assessment Practical work: 100%