Course Title: Gather data to identify business requirements
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2012
Course Code: COSC6108C
Course Title: Gather data to identify business requirements
School: 650T TAFE Business
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5300 - Diploma of Information Technology
Course Contact : Chandra Nannegari
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 1657
Course Contact Email:chandra.nannegari@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Name: Paul Lewis
Office Phone: +61 3 9925 1615
Email: paul.lewis@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 30
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify, analyse and document business requirements. Students will work in teams to design a small business database, and then test their design in a modern database management system (DBMS).
This unit is delivered using a blend of classroom based and self-paced learning activities.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
ICAICT509A Gather data to identify business requirements |
Element: |
1. Identify key information sources |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Identify information repositories across the business |
Element: |
2. Gather data |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Use a wide range of information-gathering techniques |
Element: |
3. Prepare data analysis for review |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Analyse group and individual responses to clearly define business priorities |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative classroom based activities.
Learning activities will include laboratory-based sessions on a variety of topics as shown in the weekly breakdown. Learning activities will generally consist of practical computer exercises based on teacher handouts. Students should attend all sessions.
Students will also be expected to undertake work on a small database project and other activities for homework.
The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated/real workplace environment.
We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.
Teaching Schedule
| ||||
| Week | Week Commencing | Topics | Assessment | Competencies Delivered |
| 0 | 25th Jun 2012 | Pre-training review: |
ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
|
| 1 | 2nd Jul 2012 | Sources of data. Database requirements. Basic ERDs 1:M relationships & foreign keys |
Project teams decided | ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
| 2 | 9th Jul 2012 | Business documents & business rules. More on ERDs: M:N relationships & bridging tables | TASK 1 - Class Exercises | ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
| 3 | 16th Jul 2012 | Gathering data. Referential integrity. Data entry for 1:M and M:N relationships | TASK 2 - Project Proposal due | ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
| 4 | 23rd Jul 2012 | Gathering data. Conceptual, logical & physical models. Building up complex ERDs. | TASK 1 - Class Exercises | ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
| 5 | 30th Jul 2012 | STUDENT STUDY WEEK | No classes / SAB open | |
| 6 | 6th Aug 2012 | Analysing data. Redundancy, dependencies & normalisation | TASK 2 - Project Stage 1 due | ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
| 7 | 13th Aug 2012 | Analysing data. More on normalisation. Database design improvements. | TASK 1 - Class Exercises | ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
| 8 | 20th Aug 2012 | Documenting data structures. Data dictionaries. Class work on project | TASK 2 - Project Stage 2 due | ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
| MID-SEMESTER BREAK (27th Aug - 31st Aug 2012) | ||||
| 9 | 3rd Sep 2012 | DBMS Integrity constraints. Types of indexes. Class work on project | ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
|
| 10 | 10th Sep 2012 | Data validation rules. Class work on project | TASK 2 - Project Stage 3 due | ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
| 11 | 17th Sep 2012 | Database queries & forms. Class work on project | TASK 1 - Class Exercises | ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
| 12 | 24th Sep 2012 | Database forms and reports. Class work on project & database documentation | TASK 1 - Class Exercises | ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
| 13 | 1st Oct 2012 | Security in a multi-user DBMS. Database backup & recovery procedures. | TASK 2 - Project Stage 4 due | ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
| 14 | 8th Oct 2012 | Final class work on project. Revision for Final Test | ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
|
| 15 | 15th Oct 2012 | Practical Test conducted | TASK 3 - Final Test | ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
| 16 | 22nd Oct 2012 | Project submission & demonstrations Course & assessment feedback |
TASK 2 - Final Project due |
ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
| 17 | 29th Oct 2012 | Re-submission of work if required | ICADBS502A ICAICT509A |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Stephens, R (2009), Beginning Database Design Solutions, Wiley, ISBN: 978-0-470-38549-4
This text is available free of charge as an e-book via the RMIT Library Website. |
References
Another very good introductory text suitable for this course is: |
|
A more advanced text used in semester 2 courses is: |
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Students must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of competency to be deemed competent.
A range of assessment methods are used to assess practical skills and knowledge, for example:
- direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
- review of authenticated documents from the workplace or training environment
- demonstration of techniques
Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.
Assessment Tasks
You are required to complete 3 tasks. You must successfully complete all 3 tasks to be deemed competent in this unit.
TASK 1 - Class Exercises (Due Dates: Refer to Teaching Schedule)
For this assessment task you will be expected to complete a variety of exercises which you have performed in the classroom and demonstrate these on a regular basis. These exercises will cover all elements of this competency from gathering data to designing and testing small databases.
In order to be deemed competent in this task you will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of areas including the following key areas:
• Skills in gathering and analysing data to determine requirements
• Ability to produce ERDs for a wide variety of scenarios
• Ability to create Access data structures to test your designs
• Ability to normalise your tables to store data effectively
• Ability to create objects such as forms and reports
• Documentation of security and recovery procedures
All files must be created individually and submitted or demonstrated to your teacher. Work should be submitted either on the day the exercise is completed, or at the beginning of the next class, as per the Teaching Schedule. You will be expected to retain soft copies of any documents submitted. In some cases printouts may be required.
TASK 2 - Database Project (Due Dates: Refer to Teaching Schedule)
For this assessment task you will be asked to plan and develop a small business database for an on-line business from scratch in consultation with key stakeholders. You will work in a team to manage this project efficiently.
Project Proposal (Team): Initial draft of proposal outlining and/ or including
o Area of business operations & scope of database project
o Key business processes such sales, ordering & stock control
o Any key business rules & particular database requirements
o Any issues requiring further clarification from key stakeholders
o Broad outline of timeline for project stages, including simple Gantt chart
o Team member responsibilities & communication plan
o Sample data or business documents, such as Web forms & reports
Project Stage 1 (Individual):
o First draft of ERD created in Visio with Access Relationships
Project Stage 2 (Individual):
o Updated ERD & Access Relationships
o Some sample data inserted into tables in Access
Project Stage 3 (Team):
o ERD and Relationships for whole group
Project Stage 4 (Team):
o Data dictionary finalised
o Data entry completed
Final Project (Team):
o Final version of database, including forms and reports
o Final project documentation, including security & recovery procedures
TASK 3 - Final Test (Conducted: Week 15)
For this assessment task you will be asked to develop data models and design data structures, forms and reports for some simple scenarios under test conditions. The task will be open-book, and you will be able to develop and verify your designs on your computer.
You will also be questioned on the key concepts and techniques used in gathering data, and you will need to be able to analyse simple data and determine database requirements.
Some knowledge of security and data recovery concepts and procedures will also be required.
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
Submission Requirements
Assessment tasks need to be submitted via Blackboard.
You should:
- Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date. If your performance in the assessment is affected by unexpected circumstances, you should consider applying for Special Consideration. Information on the process and application forms is available at http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ls0ydfokry9rz website.
- Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
- When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of work for assessment is available on blackboard.
Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10.
Marking Guide (Competency):
Vocational Education and Training (VET) is based on current industry needs and the focus on preparing you for the workplace. Because VET courses are informed by practical application of knowledge and skills, they are based on a system known as ‘competency based training’ (CBT).
So when you are assessed in VET it is about whether you are competent to do the job, as well as having a firm grasp on the knowledge and skills required to do that job, as opposed to traditional curriculum based education settings that are often based on knowledge retention.
You need to demonstrate you are competent in each element of the unit of competency you are studying.
You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you whether you are competent or not and how well you are performing. Once competent in all elements of the unit you receive a competency grading.
Please refer to the Final Grades table below.
Marking Guide (Grading):
After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit; this gives you the opportunity to have the level of your performance formally recognized against industry standards and employability skills.
The grading is according to the following criteria:
1. LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE, INITIATIVE, ENTERPRISE AND PERFORMANCE OF WORK TASK
We are looking for a high level of ability to complete all tasks independently as per the specifications given to in class. You should endeavour to demonstrate a high level of initiative in your approach to planning and developing viable and feasible Websites for the various business scenarios investigated.
2. DEMONSTRATED BREADTH OF UNDERPINNING KNOWLEDGE AND A WILLINGNESS TO CONTINUE LEARNING
We are looking for depth of understanding of the key concepts and knowledge required in planning and developing a variety of business Websites. You should be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of feasibility concepts and the HTML and CSS you have learnt in all assessment tasks.
3. TECHNIQUES & PROCESSES, TECHNOLOGY SKILLS AND PROBLEM SOLVING
We are looking for appropriate use of the latest techniques in HTML and CSS to produce effective business Websites as per client requirements outlined in a feasibility study. You should aim to consistently demonstrate your skills in each assessment task.
You also need to be able to overcome the various problems which that can arise in developing a business Website, in particular page layout problems. You will need to demonstrate a degree of perseverance, and be able research possible solutions via the Web.
4. WORK ORGANISATION, PLANNING AND SELF MANAGEMENT
You should aim to attend all class sessions and save your solutions to all exercises and assessment tasks you have completed, for example on your home drive or USB device. An organised folder structure is highly recommended.
It will be very advantageous to prepare for and review class materials using suggested resources, such as the recommended textbook or Websites indicated by your teacher.
We also expect to see ongoing progress your portfolio of documents for the project, full utilisation of Blackboard as per course guidelines and timely submission of all assessment tasks.
5. COMMUNICATION, PEOPLE NETWORKING, LANGUAGE AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND TEAMWORK
We expect to see contributions to relevant discussions in class and with your team members. For the project in particular you will need to work effectively in a team, and manage your work to ensure timely completion and client approval. You should therefore also liaise with your client on a regular basis throughout the project.
Final Grades Table:
CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment
Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview