Electronics Group Project Part B - ELE00089H
Module summary
In this group project you will work as part of a “company” to produce a major software application designed for desktop computer or tablet/phone. You will take on one role with specific responsibility within the company, e.g. project / software / marketing manager, and run the company as a small business. All student companies develop project specifications based on marketable ideas and use modern software engineering methods to design/implement/test that product. Each student company has to pitch initial product ideas to financial backers and business mentors and the final product is demonstrated in a presentation to staff acting as "customers".
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2025-26 |
Module aims
Subject content aims:
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To gain understanding of design, implementation and testing methods in the context of software engineering
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To develop an understanding of the role of prototyping in software development
Graduate skills aims:
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To develop group working skills
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To understand the role of project management
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To provide a scenario of a small business environment to develop transferable skills such as presentation skills and time management
Module learning outcomes
After successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
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Apply their knowledge of software engineering, including analysis, design, implementation, and testing methods, to develop a complex software application
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Analyse market needs and formulate comprehensive project specifications, including a clear response to stakeholder requirements. Demonstrate understanding of the fundamentals of small business operation, including marketing strategies, business planning, financial management, and customer relations
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Select and apply appropriate software development methodologies, techniques, and tools to model, design, implement, and evaluate software products, critically reflecting on their strengths and limitations
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Identify, evaluate, and integrate relevant technical literature, standards, and emerging technologies into their software development project
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Design an innovative, practical, and marketable software solution that clearly address the identified user requirements and business goals, considering ethical, inclusive, security, and sustainability factors
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Employ a systems engineering approach, effectively managing the software lifecycle from initial concept and prototyping through implementation and testing to final demonstration. Develop prototypes and iterate designs based on stakeholder feedback and rigorous testing procedures.
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Demonstrate awareness of the impact of software engineering projects in terms of business sustainability, and product lifecycle management, and user diversity
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Utilise contemporary software development environments and testing tools proficiently to debug, validate, and optimise software solutions
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Select and justify suitable software technologies, platforms, and development processes to effectively deliver their designed product
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Describe, utilise, and evaluate the effectiveness of quality assurance practices and standards applied within a software engineering project
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Apply principles of project management, including agile methodologies, resource allocation, and time management strategies, to successfully manage and complete a software project
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Function effectively within a collaborative team environment, clearly identifying individual roles and responsibilities, while evaluating both individual and team performance critically
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Communicate effectively on complex software engineering topics to diverse audiences, including technical peers, mentors, and non-technical stakeholders, reflecting on the effectiveness of their communication strategies. Prepare and deliver persuasive pitches and presentations tailored to financial backers, business mentors, and customers.
Module content
In groups of 7-9, students will work as part of a “company” to produce a major software application designed for desktop computer or tablet/phone. Each student takes on one major role with specific responsibility within the company, e.g. project / software / marketing manager, and run the company as a small business. All student companies develop project specifications based on marketable ideas and use modern software engineering methods to design/implement/test that product. Each student company has to pitch initial product ideas to financial backers and business mentors during the “Software Engineering Project Part A” first part, and the final product is demonstrated in a presentation to staff acting as "customers". It is important for students to work collaboratively by maintaining good communication and adopting good project management and time management skills.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Groupwork | 30.0 |
| Groupwork | 70.0 |
Special assessment rules
Non-reassessable
Additional assessment information
There are a number of milestones and deliverables that each group
produces. There is usually formative feedback on these from
appropriate people, e.g. Business Mentors, Financial Backer, Customer.
Some of these constitute planning documents and feedback on these is
given as the
plans come to fruition, since each group has some
flexibility in planning.
Indicative reassessment
None
Module feedback
'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme. We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments. A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback.
The School of PET aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme. In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work. The School will endeavour to return all exam feedback within the timescale set out in the University's Policy on Assessment Feedback Turnaround Time. The School would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The School will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum. Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate. Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date.
Indicative reading
Some guidance notes and external links will be provided.