The project will require candidates to identify and research a realistic problem for a real end-user and develop an information system.

A solution to a task allowing candidates to demonstrate advanced knowledge of an applications package. The project is marked out of a total of 90. The Mark Scheme gives a detailed breakdown of the seven categories used in the assessment criteria.

For the A2 Module 6, candidates will be required to undertake a project. The project will require candidates to identify and research a realistic problem for which there must be a real end-user. (Candidates are not permitted to be their own end-user)

The problem will be of a substantial nature and is intended to integrate the various skills and concepts developed during the course. The emphasis will be on the project being an open system of a cyclic nature, such as being repeated once a year or once an event.

The solution is likely to involve the appropriate use of a range of advanced features and functionalities. It is possible that these may be provided by a suite of generic application software.

It is not within the spirit of this syllabus for candidates to use a stand-alone general purpose programming language.

To obtain high marks it is expected that the candidates’ solution must accommodate the system's information flow and data dynamics. This might include data flows between packages, such as Dynamic Data Exchange. There is likely to be some consideration of initialising the system, clearing down data from the previous use, processing data, transferring data such as logging transactions and archiving data.

Detailed requirements of the coursework task:

15.1 Analysis

• Identify a real/realistic problem(s) for which an IT solution is appropriate and beneficial.

• Analyse the current situation and identify any dissatisfaction with the system. For the current system identify the data flows and processing requirements.

• Identify the problem's information flow and data dynamics, both in time, e.g. from one year end to the start of the next, and in processing.

• Subdivide the problem into manageable tasks and integrate the tasks into a coherent system.

• Produce a requirements specification for the identified tasks and the system as a whole; identify the precise needs of the users in relation to the identified tasks, i.e. derive the user and information requirements of a system considering the human aspects and physical environment.

• Identify the users’ current IT skill level and further training needs.

• Determine evaluation criteria for the system.

15.2 Design

• Derive the input, processing and output needs to match the requirements specification.

• Divide the overall task into sub-tasks and schedule them.

• Outline a solution in IT terms meeting the requirements specification of the identified sub-tasks.

• Determine appropriate data capture and validation procedures, data organisation(s), output contents and formats, operational procedures and user interface(s) for the IT system.

• Relate possible solutions to the capabilities of the available hardware, software and human resources.

• Evaluate alternative IT strategies for meeting the requirements specification.

• Justify the choice of hardware and software to be used.

• Specify the financial and human implications of the proposed solution.

• Document the design to provide a detailed system specification, suitable for a third party to implement the system.

• Schedule the various stages of the implementation of the system.

• Determine the test strategy, including identifying the test data, for the system.

15.3 Implementation and Testing

• Make full and effective use of the chosen hardware and software facilities to implement the design.

• Test the system with typical, extreme (boundary) and erroneous data to ensure full compliance with the requirements specification, documenting the results and fully annotating the test output.

• Document the implementation stage in a technical manner that would be suitable for a maintenance developer.

15.4 User Guide

• Provide an appropriate user guide including installation and backup procedures.

15.5 Evaluation

• Produce an evaluation report. that applies the determined evaluation criteria to the solution to assess its compliance and its degree of effectiveness as a workable system.

Involve the end-user in the process.

15.6 Report

• Produce a well-written project report to give an overview of the system and to enable the system to be used and maintained unaided.