Software Development: Virtual Pet

Assessment Details

#	Level	Credit	Title
18749	3	5	Create a simple graphical user interface (GUI) for a computer application
18741	3	6	Create a computer program to provide a solution
5953	3	3	Demonstrate an understanding of project management using a computer application
5955	3	5	Demonstrate an understanding of documentation for computer applications
2789	3	5	Produce desktop published documents for organisation use
90613	3	8	Develop a conceptual design to address a client issue

Brief:

You are to design a virtual pet for Outside the Square. Canterbury Development Corporation Outside the Square (OTS) works with aspiring young people, schools, businesses and the wider community to build an enterprising culture in Canterbury. Outside the Square is presently working with Secondary Schools to assist with "Education for Enterprise". The overall goal for the virtual pets will be to act as a tool for students to develop enterprising attributes.

You will be required to arrange times and meet with Outside the Square staff to discuss and document the requirements for this project and will liase with them over the course of the project to ensure the final solution meets their requirements.

You will design the visual interface and functionality for the virtual pet to fit the specifications and programme using C#. Outside the Square staff will choose a range of virtual pets for release on their web site for students to download.

Project management is a key component of this project and you will be expected to provide a breakdown of the tasks and timeframes before you begin concept work. Ensure that you include time for the design of the GUI, programming, testing and user documentation.

You will be required to provide schedules for user testing and functional testing throughout the design process. It is particularly important that you ensure you test during your concept development stage and report back your customer.

Interaction with the customer will be managed carefully and you will need to identify the key stages when you will need their feedback. Ideally they should be made aware of these timeframes during the analysis stage. All email conversations must be copied to College of Computing staff.

You need to provide the following elements:

Brief documentation that includes:

An overview that describes the project in summary, the purpose of the virtual pet, the target audience (described using persona) and the development process (in summary)
Research that identifies: existing virtual pets, characteristics of existing virtual pets, and existing target audiences and their expectations of virtual pets
Descriptions of the key stakeholders of this project
The key factors that will influence this project prioritised based on their order of influence. You will be expected to justify your prioritisation
A budget of time required and associated costs. You will charge out at $40/hour
A breakdown of tasks with associated resources (time and material) completed using a project management tool
Planning for the print material including: target audience, concept sketches, tasks and milestones

Concept Design:

Sketches and notes that outline and justify a range of ideas
Rendered versions of the best concepts for presentation to Outside the Square staff
Documentation that outlines the functional requirements (eg. psuedocode) of the virtual pet
A structure diagram to illustrate your C# program design
A desk check plan to check if your program's logic and structure is correct
Printed interface screens based on a final concept that outlines the key functionality and can be used for paper-based user testing
User test results showing the concept is sound
Concept sign-off from the customer

Graphical User Interface:

A final rendered graphical user interface for a virtual pet application
A print out of the code with interface elements identified and highlighted
Screen size: 80mm x 55mm

Programming:

Virtual pet solution using C# programming language
Executable (.exe) virtual pet programme file. This executable file should be able to run in MS Windows (.NET architecture)
Programme code used to compile the executable
The program should include keyboard/mouse input, screen output, loops, decision making, arithmetic calculations, and descriptive comments

User Documentation:

You will need to plan time for the design of user documentation for your virtual pet. This user documentation will be delivered along with the application and must be appropriate to the target audience(s). You will use Scribus, an open source desktop publishing tool to complete the documentation.

You will need to:

Discuss of the principles of user documentation. This might include but is not limited to: installation, operation, help, quick reference
Identify the key requirements of your user documentation
Identify the tools required to build the user documentation
Research existing user documentation and identify postive elements and design faults
Design a user document for your virtual pet that follows conventions (based on your research)
Outline a test schedule for your user documentation (both user and functional testing needs to be included)
Provide final user document in PDF format

Testing and Evaluation:

Test plan that includes functional and user testing
Final test results documented
A modifications document that outlines key changes made throughout the process
A final check that verifies the virtual pet meets the requirements of the brief
A final evaluation outlining what was completed well and what could be improved. This evaluation will identify the following key compentencies learned on this project: self-management, ability to relate to others, participation and contribution, thinking processes, and language use.
Final sign-off from the client

Technology Assessment

Assessment schedule for Conceptual Design Assessment

Hagley College of Computing