Module Information

Module Identifier
CS31310
Module Title
Agile Methodologies
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 14 x 1 Hour Lectures
Workshop 3 x 2 Hour Workshops
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Exam 2 Hours   Written Exam  90%
Semester Assessment Worksheets  10%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   Written Exam  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. demonstrate a critical appreciation of a range of software development methodologies, and their relative advantages and disadvantages.

2. reason about the impact of project context on choice of methodology.

3. demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the practices that comprise the several agile methodologies.

4. undertake simple test-driven software development.

5. identify and then rectify code that requires refactoring.

Brief description

We look at development processes, techniques and technologies for constructing real operational software systems. We examine the spectrum of development methodologies available to software projects, from agile methodologies through to plan-driven methodologies. Students will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of various methodologies.

Content

1. Introduction to module: 1 Lecture.

The lecture provides a road-map to the module, with a brief overview of main concepts and how they interrelate. Introduces the planning spectrum.

2. Overview of Extreme Programming (XP): 1 Lecture

12 core and two supplementary practices of XP are overviewed.

3. XP project planning games: 2 Lectures

Initial, release and iteration planning games.

4. Pair programming practice: 1 Lecture

5. Test-driven development: 3 Lectures

6. Refactoring: 3 Lectures

De-oderising smelly code.

7. Feature-Driven Development: 2 Lectures

A more respectable agile methodology?

8. Dsicussion of additional agile methodologies, e.g. Scrum and Kanban: 3 Lectures

9. Agile vs plan-driven methodologies: 3 Lectures

We look atwhat can make a successful methodology for a team, the need for discipline and whether it is possible to balance agile and plan-based methodologies depending on project context.

10. Review: 1 Lecture

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number None, apart from simple planning estimates
Communication Students will practice communication skills during the tutorials and is a major concern within agile methodologies
Improving own Learning and Performance The assessed coursework requires students to develop their understanding of issues associated with the module.
Information Technology The module is IT focused. Students will use computer tools to develop and run their applications
Personal Development and Career planning The module gives students a wider view of the computing industry and potential careers
Problem solving Ability to reason about the clarity of software design and to improve such design through refactoring
Research skills Students will be required to acquire further knowledge from journals and on-line sources
Subject Specific Skills Methodological skills, design skills, programming skills
Team work Team work is required during the tutorials and is of major concern within agile methodologies

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6