Architecture and New Challenges/2011-12/Qualifying examination

Background

In this course a conceptual framework has been introduced that can be used to assess the quality of projects and products in IT.

Competence

You can assess the quality of a project and the product to be delivered by this project by means of this conceptual framework.

Instructions

• This is an individual assignment, not a group assignment. The deadline is de tentamen date of ANC.
• Select some IT-project in which you were, are, will be or would like to be involved.
• Listen to the pencasts and/or read the Dutch reader.
• Analyse the chosen project and the system in which it ought to result by means of the conceptual framework sketched here.
• You may either write a separate report with your assessment or incorporate it in an individual report you have to write anyway. It may also be written as an appendix to a suitable group report.
• Estimated size: 5 to 10 pages.

Product

A report on paper consisting at least of...

1. a title page,
2. a short description of the project and its (desired) result,
3. an analysis of the field of stakeholders and concerns (lesson 1),
4. an analysis of the focus and problem statement (lesson 2),
5. a list of relevant and specific principles (lesson 3),
6. an assessment of Vitruvius' three qualities (lesson 4),
7. an assessment of human proportions (lesson 5).

Reflection

• Will I convince the reader that I understand the conceptual framework?
• Am I showing that I can apply it to specific projects and problems rather than repeating general observations?
• Am I explaining the relevant challenges and pitfalls of the project in terms of this framework?
• Am I explaining the strong and weak points of the product in terms of this framework?
• Has the framework helped me to find things I otherwise might have missed?