1 COM618: Information Systems Project Introduction Dr Madonna Herron Faculty of Computing and Engineering Room 16C18 module website:

2 What is your Final Year Project? 30 Point Module (worth 1½ modules) running over Semesters 1 and 2. The project allows a significant information systems problem to be investigated and an appropriate solution to be produced. Within the project, the student is expected to integrate and apply material from other modules in the course.

3 What does your Project Involve? u People involved: You – as the main person who will undertake the work. Your supervisor who will guide you throughout the next two semesters. The project co-ordinator. Peer Support Group u Support will be offered in the form of classes, seminars and technical workshops. u There is also a large component of independent work.

4 Structure of Project Work in Semester 1 u Lectures/Seminars and Technical Support Weeks 1-5 u Project Support Groups Weekly u Programme of work undertaken by the student, in consultation with supervisor individual project work initial report + presentation material + group presentation

5 Lecturer Topics in Semester 1 (subject to minor change) WeekTopic 1Introduction 2Initial report; Project Planning; PSG 3Report Writing Advanced Library Talk 4PSG Workshop What makes a good project? 5What to avoid, Guidelines for Project Presentations

6 By the end of Semester 1 you should have addressed your background research produced a requirements specification/statement of problem to be addressed produced a high level design /select and justify techniques to be deployed participated in peer group activity produced an initial report (assessed – S1W5) given a presentation to your peer group (assessed – S1W11)

7 Structure of Project Work in Semester 2 u Lectures/Seminars and Technical Support Maybe additional lecture at the start of Semester 2 (TBA) u Week 5 Student submit interim report u Week 12 Students submit final report u At of end Semester 2 Examination Period Students demonstrate software Oral Examination

8 By the end of Semester 2 you should have completed implementation/executed techniques to address the problem completed testing and evaluation/description of results and ultimate conclusion produced an interim report (assessed – S2W5) produced your final project report (assessed – S2W12) given a software demonstration (assessed – late S2) been subjected to an oral examination (assessed – late S2)

9 Project schedule Semester 1 Semester 2 Sem1 project allocation pre-semester initial report (week 5) Sem2 Student PSGs Supervisor Present. material (week 10) PSG presentations (week 11) progress report (week 5) final report (week 11) presentations (week 15) Student Supervisor

10 Project Selection u Supervisors proposed project titles/topics. View the available titles which are listed on the module website Contact the proposer for further information if necessary Select ten titles and arrange them in your order of preference by completing the selection form available on the module website u Own submission of project title Describing it on the same form and selecting it as your first preference u Neither of the above Identify yourself via to the Module Coordinator as early as possible. A supervisor will be allocated to you with whom you should develop a project u Upload Selection Form to COM618 WEBCT Page

11 Project Allocations – What next? u Projects are allocated according to a defined procedure u Allocations will be published on the module website u Check your allocation u Send initial after allocation to supervisor to arrange a meeting

12 Introduction to Projects Part II

13 Why a project? u a vehicle for integrating and applying material presented throughout taught courses (and placement). u a means of rounding off your undergraduate study. u to develop an interest in a particular aspect of IT (career driven?). u to permit a demonstration of individual capabilities, flair, innovation. u to encourage development of deep understanding of a subject: justification and contextualization of work, analytical skills, critical thinking, evaluation. u opportunity to work on ‘project’ from concept to completion. u opportunity to develop and demonstrate your professional practice: Awareness of Legal, Social and Ethical issues, Take a Planned, Recorded and Reflective approach, You supervisor will guide you in developing your professional practice. u Important for CVs and Interviews

14 Objectives of a project u construct a project from initial idea, through a thorough analysis of the problem area. u plan, schedule, monitor and control the work. u defend your ideas in discussion and presentations. u use libraries and other information sources. u apply tools and techniques from taught courses e.g. design tools. u communicate findings in a variety of ways e.g. written report, poster, communication with peers and supervisor and oral examination.

15 Aspects of project work PROJECT software development research innovation critical thinking problem solving communication time management motivation

16 Project Support Groups u The PSGs offer constructive criticism and support to peers on project content and progress (a kind of ‘self-help group’). u groups will meet regularly. u each member of the group will be kept informed on the progress of other members of the group. u groups are established at the start of the semester 1.

17 Project Semester 1 - Aims u to provide the necessary skills to carry out and report on a information systems project. u to provide an opportunity for investigation in the subject area of the project. u to facilitate the specification of requirements and architectural design of the project and to devise a strategy for subsequent work. u to foster a cooperative environment for exchange of ideas amongst peers.

18 Project Semester 1 - Objectives u clarification of project for implementation and completion next semester u production of an overall project plan u conduct an in-depth study of the problem and related work u present review of the problem area u completed project requirements specification u initial system design and/or prototype

19 Additional objectives u discuss problem area in relation to published information. u justify the basis on which the problem area will be investigated. u prepare formal reports on the work undertaken. u demonstrate innovation and originality of approach. u formulate recommendations regarding the project work of fellow students.

20 Semester 1 Assessment Schedule initial report5% PSG presentations 15% Note: these marks contribute to the 100% for the 30 point module

21 The Initial Report This report will consist of: introduction to project definition of project scope project aims and objectives initial project plan Report will be assessed by the Project Supervisor 50%

22 End of Semester 1 Presentation u This will consist of: project aims, objectives and plan (updated) investigation, literature review and assessment of problem requirements analysis and specification initial design approach / prototype / proposed implementation strategy style and presentation u 15 min presentation to PSG, and 2 members of staff. u opportunity to describe the main issues relating to the project; highlight technical areas of interest; description of the proposed way forward. Assessed by two members of staff

23 Project - Semester 2 implementation, testing and evaluation of information system self-management AIMS

24 Project Implementation Assessment interim report5% final report presentations software demo is necessary for engineering projects. oral exam Note: these marks contribute to the 100% for the 30 point module 75%

25 Project schedule - recap Semester 1 Semester 2 Sem1 project allocation pre-semester initial report (week 5) Sem2 Student PSGs Supervisor Present. material (week 10) PSG presentations (week 11) progress report (week 5) final report (week 11) presentations (week 15) Student Supervisor

26 Supervision I Your responsibilities u arrange initial meeting with supervisor. amplify on initial project proposal, identify preliminary reading materials and resources, set an initial timescale for agreeing project aims, objectives, and tasks. u devising and managing your own project plans, in consultation with supervisor. prepare and hand-in project deliverables on time. ensure that photocopying and binding are completed on time and do not delay submission of project work (Semester 2) u ensure security of your project code, data and documents, both hardcopy and electronic. includes adequate measures for protection and backup of all electronic media.

27 Supervision II Supervisors responsibilities u to be contactable on a regular basis (say weekly) to discuss project. fixing a time each week is beneficial. certain objectives can be assessed. u guide you on the management of your project. u provide guidance on technical direction and feedback on progress. u encourage the completion of project reports and deliverables on time and to the appropriate standard. u ensure good progress is made.

28 TIME Management u everything takes much longer than you will expect!! u careful planning is necessary if the project is to be completed on time. u a slow start is often a big problem. u slippage can lead to a scramble at the end. u put project plan in place at an early stage. u identify key milestones and make allowances for unexpected additional work. u ensure your supervisor is agreeable with your plan.

29 What Next? u View Project Proposal List on the web u Select up to 10 project titles, 1 st choice: 1 st Preference, etc u Organise PSG, 5-6 people in a group, nominate one group member to minutes of meeting every week (via ) u View the allocation details on the web. u Send initial to supervisor to arrange a meeting.