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Do not award
half marks. Alternative correct answers should be given credit, unless
otherwise indicated in the marking scheme.
(a)The three different
concepts of software engineering are methods ,tools ,and
procedures .Describe each of them.[3 marks ]
• Methods: these are the “how-to ”for building the
software (or the actual
“techniques ”used in software development).(1 mark)
• Tools: these are the automated or semi-automated support for
methods. (1 mark)
• Procedures: It defines the sequence (or correct procedure)in
which methods are applied,and makes sure that the development of software
is logical (i.e., flows in correct order) and is on time too.(1 mark)
(b)A modern software developer needs to have both software development
and project management skills.Describe why this is so.[2 marks ]
This question does not require candidates to describe the skills themselves.
0 marks for an irrelevant answer or a lack of understanding the question
’s
requirements.
1 mark for a good attempt to explain the need for one of the skills;
2 marks for a clear argument for both skills.
(c)You are the project
manager of software development house,and have been asked to undertake
development for the following special project:a new interactive Help
System for common computer-related problems will be created.This pseudo-system
will have intelligence capabilities that will query the user about
the specfic problem currently faced in the use of a computer;the user
will provide information through a series of natural language-based
inputs.Understandably,this type of system is new to the industry,and
your proposed development should take this into account.
In addition,given the fact that the mechanism of user-to-system interaction
is important in this scenario,the users of this particular system
have asked that they see at least part of the interface portion quickly;after
which they will then decide whether further development should continue.
(i)Given the above scenario,recommend a life-cycle that yo would adopt
for the
new system. Justify your answer by explaining why you have chosen
this
life-cycle; ensure that you provide clear evidence for your choice
of the life-cycle.
[4 marks ]
The ideal life-c cle of choice is the following:a combination of the
three basic life-cycles.(1 mark) The quality of explanation should
be awarded the remaining 3 marks. Somepoints of information that can
be included are as follows:
• Type of system is new: hence,some ambiguity is probable in
the
requirements definition;
• User-to-system interaction is paramount; introducing an element
of
modelling (prototyping)the interface portion;
• User interaction portion has been requested quickly; proposes
the use of 4GT in the development of this model.
• Whether development should be continued; introduces a clear
partitioning of the modelling portion versus actual development.
As answers for both parts can be quite wide,the following mark allocation
should be used:
0 marks if candidate clearly demonstrates no understanding of material,
or
simply copies down the question statement without explaining in own
words.
1 mark if candidate attempts, but succeeds in providing only superficial
treatment of evidence.
2 marks for an average answer, where candidate clearly shows a confidence
in choosing the life-cycle based on the evidence provided.
3 marks if candidate clearly shows an application ability of development
life-c cles, and good understanding all round.
(ii)Describe,with the
s pport of a diagram,the life-cycle of your choice.[6 marks ]
Diagram for life-cycle:2 marks
Steps in life-cycle:4 marks,1 mark for each step.
As the protot ping life-cycle can conceivabl be used as well, candidates
choosing the prototyping methodolog should be given full credit if
an excellent explanation is chosen.However,in the event that the candidate
chooses prototyping without a good explanation,the following marking
allocation should be used:
1 mark for the choice of prototyping, and zero marks for the justification
of the methodology.
The life-cycle is still to be marked;1 mark for a reasonably correct
diagram,and up to 2 marks for an explanation of the steps..
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