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COM618: Information Systems Project

Introduction

Dr Madonna Herron

Faculty of Computing and Engineering

Room 16C18

email: mg.herron@ulster.ac.uk

module website: http://scm.ulster.ac.uk/~e10047688/COM618/

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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.

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What does your Project Involve?

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 Support will be offered in the form of classes, seminars and

technical workshops.

There is also a large component of independent work.

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Structure of Project Work in Semester 1

Lectures/Seminars and Technical Support

• Weeks 1-5

Project Support Groups

• Weekly

Programme of work undertaken by the student, in consultation with supervisor

• individual project work

• initial report + presentation material + group presentation

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Lecturer Topics in Semester 1 (subject to minor change)

Week Topic

1 Introduction

2 Initial report; Project Planning; PSG

3 Report WritingAdvanced Library Talk

4 PSG WorkshopWhat makes a good project?

5 What to avoid, Guidelines for Project Presentations

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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)

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Structure of Project Work in Semester 2

Lectures/Seminars and Technical Support

• Maybe additional lecture at the start of Semester 2 (TBA)

Week 5

• Student submit interim report

Week 12

• Students submit final report

At of end Semester 2 Examination Period

• Students demonstrate software

• Oral Examination

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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)

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Project schedule

Semester

1

Semester

2

Sem1

project allocationpre-semester

initial report (week 5)

Sem2

• Student

• PSGs

• SupervisorPresent. material (week 10)

PSG presentations (week 11)

progress report (week 5)

final report (week 11)

presentations (week 15)

• Student

• Supervisor

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Project Selection

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

Own submission of project title• Describing it on the same form and selecting it as your first preference

Neither of the above•  Identify yourself via email to the Module Coordinator as early as possible.

A supervisor will be allocated to you with whom you should develop a project

Upload Selection Form to COM618 WEBCT Page

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Project Allocations – What next?

Projects are allocated according to a defined procedure

Allocations will be published on the module website

Check your allocation

Send initial email after allocation to supervisor to arrange a meeting

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Introduction to ProjectsPart II

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Why a project?

a vehicle for integrating and applying material presented throughout taught courses (and placement).

a means of rounding off your undergraduate study. to develop an interest in a particular aspect of IT (career driven?). to permit a demonstration of individual capabilities, flair, innovation. to encourage development of deep understanding of a subject:

• justification and contextualization of work,• analytical skills, critical thinking, evaluation.

opportunity to work on ‘project’ from concept to completion. 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.

Important for CVs and Interviews

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Objectives of a project

construct a project from initial idea, through a thorough analysis of the problem area.

plan, schedule, monitor and control the work.

defend your ideas in discussion and presentations.

use libraries and other information sources.

apply tools and techniques from taught courses e.g. design tools.

communicate findings in a variety of ways e.g. written report, poster, communication with peers and supervisor and oral examination.

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Aspects of project work

PROJECT

software development

research

innovation

critical thinking

problem solving

communication

time management

motivation

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Project Support Groups

The PSGs offer constructive criticism and support to peers on project content and progress (a kind of ‘self-help group’).

groups will meet regularly.

each member of the group will be kept informed on the progress of other members of the group.

groups are established at the start of the semester 1.

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Project Semester 1 - Aims

to provide the necessary skills to carry out and report on a information systems project.

to provide an opportunity for investigation in the subject area of the project.

to facilitate the specification of requirements and architectural design of the project and to devise a strategy for subsequent work.

to foster a cooperative environment for exchange of ideas amongst peers.

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Project Semester 1 - Objectives

clarification of project for implementation and completion next semester

production of an overall project plan

conduct an in-depth study of the problem and related work

present review of the problem area

completed project requirements specification

initial system design and/or prototype

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Additional objectives

discuss problem area in relation to published information.

justify the basis on which the problem area will be investigated.

prepare formal reports on the work undertaken.

demonstrate innovation and originality of approach.

formulate recommendations regarding the project work of fellow students.

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Semester 1 Assessment Schedule

initial report 5%

PSG presentations 15%

Note: these marks contribute to the 100% for the 30 point module

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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%

50%

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End of Semester 1 Presentation

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

15 min presentation to PSG, and 2 members of staff. 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

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Project - Semester 2

• implementation, testing and evaluation of information system

• self-management

AIMS

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Project Implementation Assessment

interim report 5%

final report

presentationssoftware demo is necessary for engineering projects.

oral exam

Note: these marks contribute to the 100% for the 30 point module

75%

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Project schedule - recap

Semester

1

Semester

2

Sem1

project allocationpre-semester

initial report (week 5)

Sem2

• Student

• PSGs

• SupervisorPresent. material (week 10)

PSG presentations (week 11)

progress report (week 5)

final report (week 11)

presentations (week 15)

• Student

• Supervisor

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Supervision I Your responsibilities

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.

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)

ensure security of your project code, data and documents, both hardcopy and electronic. • includes adequate measures for protection and backup of all electronic media.

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Supervision II Supervisors responsibilities

to be contactable on a regular basis (say weekly) to discuss project.• fixing a time each week is beneficial.

• certain objectives can be assessed.

guide you on the management of your project.

provide guidance on technical direction and feedback on progress.

encourage the completion of project reports and deliverables on time and to the appropriate standard.

ensure good progress is made.

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TIME Management

everything takes much longer than you will expect!!

careful planning is necessary if the project is to be completed on time.

a slow start is often a big problem.

slippage can lead to a scramble at the end.

put project plan in place at an early stage.

identify key milestones and make allowances for unexpected additional work.

ensure your supervisor is agreeable with your plan.

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What Next?

View Project Proposal List on the web Select up to 10 project titles, 1st choice: 1st Preference, etc Organise PSG, 5-6 people in a group, nominate one group member to

email minutes of meeting every week (via email) View the allocation details on the web. Send initial email to supervisor to arrange a meeting.