48471 ICT Analysis

Requisite(s): (48240 Design Fundamentals AND 48260c Engineering Project Management AND (120 credit points of completed study in C10061 Bachelor of Engineering Diploma in Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in C10062 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Arts in International Studies Diploma in Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in C10063 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Arts in International Studies OR 120 credit points of completed study in C10065 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Business OR 120 credit points of completed study in C10066 Bachelor of Engineering Science OR 120 credit points of completed study in C10067 Bachelor of Engineering OR 120 credit points of completed study in C10073 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Science OR 120 credit points of completed study in C10074 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Science Diploma in Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in C10075 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Medical Science OR 120 credit points of completed study in C10076 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Medical Science Diploma in Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in C10078 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Biotechnology OR 120 credit points of completed study in C10079 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Biotechnology Diploma in Engineering Practice))

This problem-based subject focuses on the specification and analysis of assigned, complex Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) projects. Formal, plenary sessions of lecture/tutorials are used to teach project theory whereas problem-based learning is used for the specification and analysis of the assigned projects. Problem-based learning requires students to participate and take the initiative in researching topics not necessarily dealt with by formal sessions but required by the project. In this subject, it is the students' responsibility to work out what they need to learn.

Students learn to deal with the analysis phase of the ICT project lifecycle – planning; specification and analysis; architecture and high-level design. In the subsequent design subject (48481), students learn to deal with the development phase of the ICT project lifecycle – low-level design; implementing/building the product; plus associated testing.

Skills gained include: teamwork; the use of technical planning strategies; experience in the use of standards and industry best practices; formal project specification; system performance analysis; reliability analysis; project risk abatement strategies; quality assurance factors including the quality of product and quality of process; system architecture development; system build and integration strategies; formal project development processes; assessment of managerial, financial, ethical and social issues; verification and validation; and user interfacing issues.

Students are organised into large groups of typically 15 to 20 students per group. Each group is then usually subdivided into teams of about three or four. A team will focus on one component of the group assignments. Group subdivision, structure and overall project management is decided by the group members.

There are usually three group assignments: Assignment 1 is often the draft of the analysis deliverable, which allows students to prepare and plan for the actual deliverable; Assignment 2 is often the actual deliverable. In Assignment 3, students are usually required to review and critique another group's actual deliverable, which may be used in the subsequent design subject, for development and implementation purposes.

Assessment: This subject is usually assessed by a series of assignments and a quiz.