ITC309 Software Development Project 2

Assessment 1 - Product Release Milestone

Task

The goals of the Transition Phase are:

• To ensure the project is ready for release into a production environment
• To obtain user testing feedback and product acceptance
• To obtain stakeholder acceptance of final project.

The main emphasis in the Transition Phase is on deployment of the finished software artefact, completion of user acceptance testing and responding to any defects found.

The primary tasks involved in the Transition Phase are:

1. A deployment of the 'beta ready' software to the intended deployment environment.
2. The conducting of user acceptance tests.
3. The rectification of any defects or issues uncovered in the acceptance tests.
4. The completion of any programmer documentation to the 'hand off' stage.

The Product Release Milestone (PRM) represents the completion of the Transition Phase. Deliverables for the PRM include:

1. An Implementation Model that embodies the final production version of the completed software.
2. A successful demonstration of the software to the project sponsor resulting in sponsor signoff.
3. A Test Model including completed user acceptance tests for the final product
4. Programmer documentation sufficient to pass on to a separate development team to maintain the product

An Transition Phase Project Status Assessment - which assesses your project progress against the overall aims of the project, and against the specific aims of the Transition Phase

This assessment task will assess the following learning outcomes:

• be able to apply the UP methodology to implement and deploy the software system.
• be able to evaluate the developing project through testing and respond to any defects identified.
• be able to use project management tools to assist in timely completion of milestones.
• be able to demonstrate technical writing skills in a software development environment through development of user and programmer's manuals.
• be able to evaluate the project process and outcomes, including team management, against the project proposal.

The Product Release Milestone is designed to signal the end of project development after user testing, and that the project is ready (in principle) to be transferred into a production environment (for example, to be run by a company in a data centre).

Assessment 2: Project Management Assessment Stream (PMAS)

Method options: Alternative submission method

Task

This is a complex assessment item designed to assess two major elements:

1. Your team’s adherence to good project management practice as embodied in the Unified Process.
2. Your individual contribution to the overall outcome of the project.

There are both group and individual elements to this assessment item.

The group element relates to iteration planning and reporting. The individual element relates to individual reflection on your own work, and also to general engagement with the project in terms of communications, work effort, and work quality.

Group Element - Iteration Plans and Reports

This element on assessed on a team basis.

Establish a 'PMAS' page on your team wiki. Post links to the relevant versions of iteration plans and reports as detailed below on that page.

Individual Element - Individual Reflection.

This element is assessed on an individual basis. It requires you to maintain a blog on the subject website. Your blog will be shared only between you and the subject supervisor.

Individual Element - Individual Effort, Engagement, and Competence.

This element is assessed on an individual basis through synthesis of iteration plans and reports, evidence in version control, attendance and participation in oversight meetings, and individual blogs.

1. How well did the team member participate in team planning/review meetings?
2. How well did the team member participate in the team oversight meeting?
3. How well did the team member communicate with the rest of the team?
4. How well did the team member complete assigned work items?*
5. How well did the team member contribute to and participate in the team?*
6. What was the implementation quality for individual work items?
7. What was the reporting quality for individual work items?   

This assessment task will assess the following learning outcomes:

• be able to apply the UP methodology to implement and deploy the software system.
• be able to use project management tools to assist in timely completion of milestones.
• be able to evaluate the project process and outcomes, including team management, against the project proposal.

In regard to project management and the Unified process, the PMAS is intended to:

• Ensure good project management practice is followed
• Keep track of project progress
• Keep track of individual team members contribution to that progress.