Course Title: Gather data to identify business requirements

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2013

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: Joyce Liang

Email: joyce.liang@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
1.2 Review current organisational documentation
1.3 Develop critical questions to elicit information from key stakeholders using a mixture of open and closed questions

Element:

2. Gather data

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Use a wide range of information-gathering techniques
2.2 Review reports and other data sources for business information
2.3 Confirm business-critical factors relating to current and future directions of
the organisation with stakeholders

Element:

3. Prepare data analysis for review

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Analyse group and individual responses to clearly define business priorities
3.2 Document data analysis for review according to organisational standards


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


The nominal hours associated with this are a guide only and represent the total teaching time and student effort required to successfully complete the course. This may include not only scheduled classes but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
 

Week Week Commencing Topics Assessment Competencies Delivered 
1 8th Jul 2013

Pre-training review:
• RPL
• LLN as required

Familiarisation with:
• Program
• Services/facilities
• Other students
• Teacher(s)
• Where to get support
• Student responsibilities
• Course requirements
• Course support documents
• Pre-reading
• Blackboard

Overview of assessment requirements:
• Grading
• Plagiarism
• Appeals
• Extensions
• Feedback
• Privacy
• Submission requirements
• Resubmission policy

Introduction to DB Design:
• Course introduction & overview
• Relational database concepts
• Introduction to Access 2010
• Web forms & data entry

   ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A
 
2 15th Jul 2013

Key sources of data. Database requirements. Basic ERDs 1:M relationships & foreign keys

  ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A 
3 22nd Jul 2013 Business documents & business rules. More on ERDs: M:N relationships & bridging tables TASK 1 - Project Specs issued
TASK 1 - Project Teams selected
ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A 
4 29th Jul 2013 Gathering data. Referential integrity. Building up complex ERDs   ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A 
5 5th Aug 2013 Developing questions. Conceptual, logical & physical models. Forms & subforms TASK 1 - Project Proposal due ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A 
6 12th Aug 2013 Analysing data. Data types. Redundancy, dependencies & normalisation   ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A 
7 19th Aug 2013 DB requirements. More on normalisation. Database design improvements. TASK 1 - Project Stage 1 due ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A
8 26th Aug 2013 Groupable data, data Integrity & data validation. Review of forms & reports   ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A 
MID-SEMESTER BREAK (2nd Sep - 6th Sep 2013 inclusive)
9 9th Sep 2013 Bridging tables & data entry. Reports with grouping. Class work on project TASK 1 - Project Stage 2 due ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A 
10 16th Sep 2013 Documenting data structures. Data dictionaries. Class work on project   ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A 
11 23rd Sep 2013 Intro to SQL Server. Authentication. Class work on project & documentation TASK 1 - Project Stage 3 due ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A 
12 30th Sep 2013 Security in a multi-user DBMS. Database backup & recovery procedures   ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A 
13 7th Oct 2013 Class work on project. Revision for Skills Review
 
TASK 1 - Project Stage 4 & Documentation due  ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A 
14 14th Oct 2013 Final class work on project. Skills Review conducted TASK 2 - Skills Review ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A 
15 21st Oct 2013 Project submission & demonstrations. Final class work on project documentation TASK 1 - Final Project & Documentation due (first class) ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A 
 16 28th Oct 2013 Course & assessment feedback. Re-submission of work if required   ICADBS502A
ICAICT509A 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Stephens, R (2009), Beginning Database Design Solutions, Wiley, Print ISBN: 978-0-470-38549-4

This text is available free of charge as an e-book via the RMIT Library Website.


References

Pratt, P & Adamski, J (2012), Concepts of Database Management, 7th edn, Thomson Course Technology, ISBN 978-1-111-82591-1

This is another good introductory text suitable for this course. Older editions of this text are also useful, and are available from the RMIT Library.
 


Other Resources

Students may also refer to various Websites as indicated their teacher.


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 2 tasks. You must successfully complete each task to be deemed competent in this unit.

TASK 1 - 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 first need to identify information sources, gather data and confirm ket client database requirements. You will work in a team to manage this project efficiently.

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

Work for each stage of the project (outlined below) should be submitted on the due date, as per the Teaching Schedule. You will be expected to submit and retain soft copies of any documents required. In some cases printouts may be required.

Project Proposal (Team): Initial draft of proposal outlining details elicited by questioning the client

  • Area of business operations, as well as purpose & scope of database project
  • Key business processes such sales, ordering & stock control
  • Technical constraints including hardware & software e.g. DBMS
  • Any key business rules & particular database requirements
  • Any issues requiring further clarification from key stakeholders (further questions)
  • Outline of deliverables & timeline for project stages, including simple Gantt chart
  • Team member responsibilities & communication plan
  • Sample business documents e.g. forms & reports from current system

Project Stage 1 (Individual):

  • First draft of ERD (with cardinalities) created in Visio with Access Relationships

Project Stage 2 (Individual):

  • Updated ERD & Access Relationships (for client confirmation after normalisation)
  • Some sample data inserted into tables in Access

Project Stage 3 (Team):
 
• ERD & Relationships for whole group (final conceptual & logical models)

Project Stage 4  & Documentation (Team):

  • Data dictionary & business rules finalised (physical model)
  • Data structures implemented e.g. keys, constraints, indexes & validation rules
  • Sample data entry completed (all tables)

Final Project& Documentation (Team):
 
  • Final version of database, including queries, forms and reports (individual)
  • Final project documentation, including access, security, backup & recovery procedures

Students will receive feedback or confirmation at each stage in relation to client requirements. In many cases changes or modifications will be required. It is therefore vital that any design documentation and other work required for each stage be submitted in a timely manner.

Late submissions of documents required for developmental stages of the project will be eligible for grading at pass level only.

TASK 2 - Skills Review (Date: Refer to Teaching Schedule)

For this assessment task you will be asked to understand how to develop data models and design data structures, forms and reports for some simple scenarios under test conditions. You will be able to develop and verify your designs on your computer with reference to Web and other resources.

You will also be questioned on information sources (e.g. key documents & questions) as well as techniques used in gathering data, such as reviewing reports. You will also need to be able to analyse simple data in order to confirm database requirements.

Some knowledge of security and data recovery concepts and procedures will also be required.
 


Assessment Matrix

N/A

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).
     
  • 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.
     
  • 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.


Resubmission Guide:


Once a student has submitted an assessment task, a resubmission may be granted if deemed NYC. On resubmission, a student will not receive a grade higher than CAG (Competency achieved).

 
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 will include 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. You should endeavour to demonstrate a high level of initiative in your approach to gathering data and designing your databases, particularly in the team project.

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 to gather data and design a database. You should be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of information gathering and data modelling techniques in each of the assessment tasks.

3. TECHNIQUES & PROCESSES, TECHNOLOGY SKILLS AND PROBLEM SOLVING

We are looking for a high level of skill in data gathering and database design techniques. In particular you will need to be familiar with the appropriate technology such as modern database management systems, including multi-user systems.

You will need also need to show an understanding of the kinds of problems that can arise in designing a  database and how these might be addressed. You will need to demonstrate a dgree of perseverence, and be able to use normalisation techniques to improve your designs.

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 and scheduled group sessions. 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 key stakeholders, such as your client or teacher, 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