Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title MANAGING SOFTWARE PROJECTS
Code CKIT538
Coordinator Mr K Dures
Computer Science
K.Dures@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2022-23 Level 7 FHEQ Whole Session 15

Aims

1. To provide students with a deep and systematic understanding of software project management skills as evidenced by leading industry examples and state-of-the-art research.

2. To provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to allow then become effective team player in the context of software project management.

3. To develop students' capability to analyse critically strategies to monitor and control projects as well as how to facilitate a strong communication plan.

4. Provide student with the necessary skills to allow them to manage software projects successfully from inception to close.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) An ability to critically assess strategies for the management of project scope, budget and schedule.

(LO2) Comprehensive ability to evaluate and develop cost estimates for software projects, with respect to both human and non-human resources.

(LO3) A comprehensive ability to analyse how to best monitor and control projects as well as how to facilitate a strong communication plan.

(LO4) An ability to critically evaluation software quality and how to integrate evaluation into the project goals.

(LO5) A deep and systematic ability to assess software and hardware project requirements.

(LO6) A comprehensive knowledge of the issues that affect team productivity and how they can be resolved.

(S1) Organisational skills

(S2) IT skills

(S3) Communication and collaboration online participating in digital networks for learning and research

(S4) Information literacy online, finding, interpreting, evaluating, managing and sharing information

(S5) Learning skills online studying and learning effectively in technology-rich environments, formal and informal

(S6) Problem solving/ critical thinking/ creativity analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.

(S7) Team (group) working respecting others, co-operating, negotiating / persuading, awareness of interdependence with others


Syllabus

 

Week 1: Managing software projects - scope, schedule, costs and risk.

Week 2: Agile software project management practices and their significance for successful implementation.

Week 3: Models of Software Project Management - advantages and disadvantages.

Week 4: Identifying, driving, influencing and removing obstacles for successful enterprise software project initiatives.

Week 5: Roles and resources in software projects, what influences the adoption of established and emerging approaches and methodologies such as Agile and SCRUM?

Week 6: Maximizing team productivity, what works and what doesn’t?

Week 7: Software quality and reviews, fool proof testing, project control and integration to project goals.

Week 8: Decision tracking for assessing changes in software and hardware project requirements, the role of communication to balance emerging design requirements.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - online Learning
Description: Weekly seminar supported by asynchronous discussion in a virtual classroom environment facilitated by an online instructor.
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Number of hours per week that students are expected to attend the virtual classroom so as to participate in discussion, dedicated to group work and individual assessment is 7.5


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours           60

60
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 90
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Report: Group Project in Software Management (Part 4) Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Weeks 7 to 8    10       
Report: Group Project on Software Management (Part 3) Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Weeks 5 to 6         
Report: Analysis of failed software projects - what can we learn? Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Week 5         
Report: Group Project on Software Management (Part 2) Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Week 4 (assigned in week 3         
Case study analysis: Software project management Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Week 3         
Report: Group Project on Software Management (Part 1) Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Week 2         
Report: Review of industry architecture methodologies, standards and practices Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :W         
Moot/debate: Weekly discussion questions (eight) Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Whole session    36       

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.