Course Title: Gather data to identify business requirements
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2019
Course Code: COSC7357C
Course Title: Gather data to identify business requirements
School: 650T Vocational Business Education
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5395 - Diploma of Information Technology
Course Contact: Val Christou
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5076
Course Contact Email: val.christou@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Course Leader: Chandra Nannegari
+61 3 9925 1657
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 skills and knowledge required to identify, analyse and document business requirements.
It applies to individuals working as systems analyst developers and project team leaders, and managers responsible for gathering data to identify business requirements
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
ICTICT509 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 with stakeholders business critical factors relating to current and future directions of the organisation |
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 on a variety of topics as shown in the teaching schedule.
This may include self-paced and collaborative classroom activities such as:
- Class exercises
- Challenges
- Problem solving
- Project work
- Quizzes
We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities as each week builds on the next.
Teaching Schedule
Course Delivery:
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 July | Introduction to the course including: |
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ICTDBS502 (COSC7371C)
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| 2 | 15th July | Key sources of data. Business rules. Basic ERDs. 1:M relationships & foreign keys |
Project Specifications issued. |
ICTDBS502 (COSC 7371C)
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| 3 | 22nd July | Business documents & business rules. More on ERDs: M:N relationships & bridging tables |
ICTDBS502 (COSC 7371C)
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| 4 | 29th July | Gathering data. Referential integrity. Building up complex ERDs |
ASSESSMENT 1 - DATABASE PROPOSAL Submission Due |
ICTDBS502 (COSC 7371C)
|
| 5 | 5th Aug | Developing questions. Conceptual, logical & physical models. Forms & sub-forms |
ICTDBS502 (COSC 7371C)
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| 6 | 12th Aug |
SQL Server installation & tables. Intro to security. DB requirements & design improvements |
ASSESSMENT 1 - Individual Design Draft Due |
ICTDBS502 (COSC 7371C)
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| 7 | 19th Aug |
Analysing data. Suitable data types. |
ICTDBS502 (COSC 7371C)
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| 8 | 26th Aug | Data integrity & data validation. |
ASSESSMENT 1 - Individual Design Update Due |
ICTDBS502 (COSC 7371C)
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Break (Monday 2nd Sept - Friday 6th Sept) | ||||
| 9 | 9th Sept | SQL Server security: logins, database roles & permissions. Class work on project |
ICTDBS502 (COSC 7371C)
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| 10 | 16th Sept | Backup & restore procedures in SQL Server |
ASSESSMENT 1 - Team Design Part 1 Due |
ICTDBS502 (COSC 7371C)
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| 11 | 23rd Sept |
Review of normalisation. |
ICTDBS502 (COSC 7371C)
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| 12 |
30th Sept
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Format of security & backup plans. |
ASSESSMENT 1 - DATABASE DESIGN Due |
ICTDBS502 (COSC 7371C)
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| 13 | 7th Oct |
Reports with grouped data. Revision for Skills Review Quiz |
ICTDBS502 (COSC 7371C)
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| 14 | 14th Oct | Skills Review Quiz conducted. |
Skills Review Quiz |
ICTDBS502 (COSC 7371C)
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| 15 | 21st Oct | Project submission & demonstrations |
ASSESSMENT 1 - DATABASE IMPLEMENTATION Submission Due |
ICTDBS502 (COSC 7371C)
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| 16 | 28th Oct |
Re-submission of work if required. |
ICTDBS502 (COSC 7371C)
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You will receive feedback two weeks from the due date of each task. If required, re-submissions are due by the end of the following week.
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
There is no prescribed textbook for this course. However presentations and handouts given out in class should be quite useful. |
References
Pratt, P & Last, Z (2015), Concepts of Database Management, 8th edn, Cengage Learning, |
978-1285427102 |
Stephens, R (2009), Beginning Database Design Solutions, Wiley, Print ISBN: 978-0-470-38549-4 |
978-0-470-38549-4 |
Other Resources
You will need laptop with charger for each class
You may also refer to various media, websites, textbooks and e-books as indicated in Canvas
Overview of Assessment
In order to achieve competency in this unit, you must provide:
Performance Evidence
Evidence of the ability to:
- identify sources and gather information pertinent to the business requirements
- review and analyse business requirements based on business strategy and current and future directions
- confirm the business critical factors with stakeholders
- prepare data for review
- document data analyse for review according to organisational standards.
Knowledge Evidence
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, you must:
- define the client business domain, so that the business needs are understood by project team and client
- describe the current industry accepted hardware and software products, general features and capabilities suited to the project
- outline the role of stakeholders and the degree of involvement in the process
- specify quality assurance practices required when determining the requirements
- examine the system’s current hardware, software and communication functionality.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance in conditions that are safe and replicate the workplace. Noise levels, production flow, interruptions and time variances must be typical of those experienced in the general information and communications technology (ICT) industry, and include access to a project brief and business documentation.
You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.
Feedback
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions. You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.
You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.
Assessment Tasks
Please note the following two units:
COSC 7371C (ICTDBS502) - Design a database
COSC 7357C (ICTICT509) - Gather data to identify business requirements
are clustered and therefore co-delivered and co-assessed holistically
Assessment Overview:
You are required to complete 1 assessment - Assessment - Database Project You must successfully complete all sections of the assessment task to be deemed competent in this unit.
ASSESSMENT - Database Project
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 key 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
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.
DATABASE PROPOSAL (Team Submission) - Submission Due Week 4
Initial draft of proposal outlining details elicited by questioning client including:
- Area of business operations, as well as purpose & scope of database project
- Team member responsibilities & communication plan
- Key business processes such sales, ordering & stock control
- Any key business rules & particular design requirements
- Any issues requiring further clarification from key stakeholders (further questions)
- Technical constraints including hardware & software eg. DBMS
- Outline of deliverables & timeline for project stages, including simple Gantt chart
- Sample business documents e.g. forms & reports from current system
DATABASE DESIGN (Individual & Team Components) - Due Week 12
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Individual Design Draft - Due Week 6
First draft of ERD (with cardinalities) created in VISIO with Access Relationships
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Individual Design Update - Due Week 8
Updated ERD & Access Relationships (for client confirmation after normalisation)
Some sample data inserted into tables in Access
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Team Design Part 1 - Due Week 10
ERD and Relationships for whole group (final conceptual & logical models)
Data structures implemented eg. keys, constraints, indexes & validation rules
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Team Design Part 2 - Due Week 12
Data dictionary & business rules finalised (physical model)
Client requirements validated. Questions on client requirements
DATABASE IMPLEMENTATION (All Individual & Team Components) - Submission Due Week 15
- Final version of database with sample data entered as required
- Queries, forms and reports as specified (Individual Submission)
- Final project documentation including 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.
General Points
- All documents are to be presented in portfolio form ie. a folder of documents submitted on Canvas
- Each document should include a header (eg with the name of the document and team members’ names) and a footer (eg with the date and page number).
- All team members must sign the assessment cover sheet(s).
- Soft copies are to be retained by all team members as backups. Google Docs is preferred.
- RMIT academic discipline procedures will apply in cases of plagiarism. Students should use Turnitin to avoid plagiarism.
Assessment Matrix
| Elements/Performance Criteria | Assessment Details |
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1. Determine database requirements 1.1 Meet with the client, and conduct a user-needs analysis, to determine database functionality 1.2 Analyse the results of a user-needs analysis to identify technical requirements 1.3 Develop a conceptual model of the database 1.4 Submit the conceptual model to the client for review 1.5 Evaluate client feedback and make changes as required |
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2. Develop a logical data model 2.1 Identify the attributes and determine the data types 2.2 Undertake the normalisation of attributes 2.3 Develop an entity-relationship (ER) diagram in order to clarify the cardinality of relationships 2.4 Document attributes, normalised data, and the ER diagram 2.5 Forward documentation to the client for confirmation |
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3. Design the data structures 3.1 Confirm primary and foreign keys for tables 3.2 Review client business rules 3.3 Identify the referential integrity constraints 3.4 Establish database management system constraints and incorporate into database design 3.5 Develop the validation rules for data 3.6 Design indexes and develop the data dictionary 3.7 Document the database design |
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4. Design queries, screens and reports 4.1 Design the user interface for database, including menus, input screens and outputs 4.2 Design queries, based on requirements 4.3 Design output reports, based on requirements 4.4 Compare the physical design with the conceptual model, or user-needs analysis 4.5 Incorporate changes as required |
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5. Design access and security systems 5.1 Review the business security plan as a basis for commencing the access and security design 5.2 Design the password and access system for the database 5.3 Identify multiple-user requirements 5.4 Develop client access profiles using the client business model |
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6. Confirm the database design 6.1 Identify the database backup and recovery requirements 6.2 Develop and document the database backup and restore procedures 6.3 Submit the database, and documentation, to the client for final approval |
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| Performance Evidence | |
Evidence of the ability to:
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| Knowledge Evidence | |
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To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
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Other Information
Submission Requirements
You should:
- Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date via CANVAS.
- 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.
- 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.
- Projects must be submitted via Canvas.
Late Submission Procedures
You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance-based assessment is completed by the due dates.
If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.
More Information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work
Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf
Special Consideration Procedures
Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration. Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination
More Information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration
Online special consideration link: https://specon.rmit.edu.au/specon/
Resubmissions
If you are found to be unsuccessful in a Course Assessment Task, you will be allowed one resubmission only. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission.
If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.
Adjustments to Assessment
In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website.
More Information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/adjustments-to-assessment
Marking Guide (Courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment):
You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying. You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.
CA Competency Achieved
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment
Course Overview: Access Course Overview