Module Details

Module Code: SOFT7007
Title: Requirements Engineering
Long Title: Requirements Engineering
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2017/18 ( September 2017 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4814 - Computer Software
Module Delivered in: 9 programme(s)
Module Description: Engineering requirements for software systems has been perceived as one of
the key steps in a successful software development endeavor, since the early days
of software engineering.The ultimate goal of requirements engineering is in fact to facilitate a common view and a shared understanding among all parties involved in the development effort. This module introduces a student to the application of techniques, methodologies and available tool support to requirements engineering(RE).
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Describe how best known methods in traditional requirements processes can apply to Agile methods.
LO2 Differentiate between functional and non-functional requirements.
LO3 Apply elicitation techniques to gather requirements from a customer and communicate these using agile approaches.
LO4 Develop requirements using an iterative and agile approach using an appropriate tool.
LO5 Create and maintain a product backlog by prioritizing requirements and product features that are most important to fulfill the business objectives of the customer.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
12786 SOFT7007 Requirements Engineering
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Introduction
What is Requirements Engineering. Why is it important in the Systems development.
Agile and Traditional Requirements Engineering.
Comparison between the traditional and Agile approaches to Requirements Engineering
Classification of software requirements
Functional and non-functional requirements.
Requirements elicitation techniques.
The challenge of requirements elicitation, interviewing,contextual inquiry, brainstorming and idea reduction, story boarding.
Communicating Requirements.
Use Cases, Scenarios, User Stories, Rules for creating good stories. Use of INVEST model to specify the quality of a User Story. Epic Stories.
Requirements validation
Reviews,prototyping ,Usage scenario testing, why-because analysis
Agile Requirements Engineering artifacts
Product Vision, Business rules, Glossary, User Story , Story Card, Storyboard Task, Persona.
Managing change.
Why requirements change. How change is handled in an Agile environment.
Requirements management tools.
Overview of CASE tools applicable for use in requirements engineering.
Requirements Prioritization
How to prioritize requirements so that the most important customer needs are delivered first. Assigning a story to a Sprint.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 2,3
Assessment Description
A student would identify different types of requirements from a problem statement. Use cases/User stories would be created from identified requirements.
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 12 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
A student would be expected to answer a selection of short questions based on material covered in lectures.
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 50
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Each student would be assigned to work on a team project. The team would be required to elicit and communicate the requirements for an application. They would use a CASE tool such as Visual Paradigm to communicate their findings.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Presentation of indicative content. Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Students will create suitable models to capture requirements. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Reading, writing and study. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Presentation of indicative content Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Students will create suitable models to capture requirements Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Reading,writing and study. Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Suzanne Robertson, James Robertson. (2012), Mastering the Requirements Process: Getting Requirements Right, 3. Addison-Wesley Professional, [ISBN: 9780321815743].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Karl Wiegers,Joy Beatty. (2013), Software Requirements, 3. Microsoft Press, [ISBN: 9780735679665].
  • Dean Leffingwell. (2011), Agile Software Requirements: Lean Requirements Practices for Teams, Programs, and the Enterprise, Addison-Wesley Professional, [ISBN: 9780321635846].
  • Jeff Patton. (2014), User Story Mapping Discover the Whole Story, Build the Right Product, O'Reilly Media, [ISBN: 9781491904909].
  • Mike Cohen. (2004), User Stories Applied: For Agile Software Development, Addison-Wesley Professional, [ISBN: 9780321205681].
  • Alistair Cockburn. (2000), Writing effective use cases, Addison-Wesley Professional, [ISBN: 9780201702255].
  • Ian Alexander ,Ljerka Beus-Dukic. (2009), Discovering Requirements: How to Specify Products and Services, Wiley, [ISBN: 9780470712405].
  • Gojko Adzic , David Evans. (2014), Fifty Quick Ideas To Improve Your User Stories, Neuri Consulting LLP, [ISBN: 9780993088100].
  • Venkadesh Narayanan. (2015), Mastering User Stories, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, [ISBN: 9781519429971].
  • Jefferson Hanley. (2015), Scrum - User Stories: How to Leverage User Stories For Better Requirements, CreateSpace Independent Publishing, [ISBN: 9781512368031].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_KSDEV_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Development 3 Mandatory
CR_KDNET_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Systems 3 Mandatory
CR_KITMN_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in IT Management 3 Mandatory
CR_KWEBD_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Web Development 3 Mandatory
CR_KITSP_7 Bachelor of Science in Information Technology 3 Mandatory
CR_KCOMP_7 Bachelor of Science in Software Development 3 Mandatory
CR_KCOME_6 Higher Certificate in Science in Software Development 3 Mandatory
CR_KCMSD_8 Higher Diploma in Science in Cloud & Mobile Software Development 1 Mandatory
CR_KCLCO_8 Higher Diploma in Science in Cloud Computing 1 Mandatory