BCS Higher Education Qualifications Diploma in IT Professional Project Syllabus

BCS Higher Education
Qualifications
Diploma in IT
Professional Project Syllabus
Version 2.0
December 2016
This is a United Kingdom government regulated qualification which is administered and approved by
one or more of the following: Ofqual, Qualification in Wales or SQA.
Contents
1. Change History 3
2. Rationale 3
3. Aims 3
4. Objectives 3
5. Prior Knowledge Expected 3
6. Format and Duration of the Examination 4
7. Syllabus Detail 4
8. Recommended Reading List 5
9. Contact Points 5
Copyright © BCS 2016 Page 2 of 5

Level 5 Diploma in Professional Project Syllabus V2.0 December 2016
1. Change History
Any changes made to the syllabus shall be clearly documented with a change history log. This shall
include the latest version number, date of the amendment and the changes made. The purpose is to
identify quickly what changes have been made.
Version Number Date Changes Made

Version 1.0 March 2016 Released
Version 2.0 December 2016 Regulator Statement Updated
2. Rationale
This module provides the candidate with the opportunity to demonstrate practical skills in the creation,
design, implementation, testing and documentation of a computer-based project, at the Diploma level.
3. Aims
 To allow candidates to undertake a significant piece of work, either individually or as a member
of a group.
 To allow candidates to demonstrate their practical computing skills.
4. Objectives
Upon successful completion of this module, candidates will be able to demonstrate their competence
in, and their ability to:
 Identify and investigate a topic which has a computer-based solution.

 Compare possible solutions, and select the most appropriate solution.
 Show awareness of any legal, social, ethical or professional implications of the solution.
 Plan the development of the solution.
 Use appropriate techniques and technologies to design and implement the solution.
 Identify and apply appropriate methods to demonstrate the fitness for purpose of the solution,
providing full evidence in the project report.
 Document both the process undertaken and the product produced, including an appraisal of
both.
5. Prior Knowledge Expected

Candidates must have achieved the Certificate in IT or have an appropriate exemption to be entered
for the Diploma in IT.
Candidates are required to become a member of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT to sit and be
awarded the qualifications. Candidates may apply for a four year student membership that will support
them throughout their studies.

6. Format and Duration
Candidates are expected to complete the work associated with this module in their own time and
submit their project report for assessment at one of two assessment points in the year. Candidates
are expected to spend approximately 200 hours on their project.
A project proposal must be submitted, and approved by Project Examiners, before the project can be
submitted.
The project may be either an individual piece of work or part of a group project where some or all of
the other group members might also be BCS candidates.
Candidates are responsible for finding an authenticator to provide guidance as necessary, and to
authenticate the project as the personal work of the candidate. Authenticators are subject to approval
by Project Examiners.
Projects are assessed as either Pass with Distinction, Pass with Credit, Pass or Fail.
7. Syllabus Detail
Category Ref Content
1 Select a topic and plan the work 1.1 Investigate an information systems problem and identify
the needs of users of the computer-based solution.
1.2 Produce a specification of the requirements.
1.3 Identify milestones to provide project management.
1.4 Produce a formal proposal for a joint or individual project.
2 Compare possible solutions 2.1 Compare contemporary solutions to given problems.
2.2 Select the best solution for a given situation, considering
resource and other constraints.
3 Design and implement the 3.1 Select and apply appropriate technologies and techniques
chosen solution to the stages of the problem solution.
3.2 Discuss legal, social, ethical and professional
considerations of the problem solution.
4 Evaluate the fitness for purpose 4.1 Discuss approaches to software evaluation.
of the solution created 4.2 Select and apply an appropriate means of testing the
solution.
4.3 Provide evidence of the fitness for purpose.
5 Document the project to an 5.1 Produce a project report to a good level of presentation.
appropriate professional level 5.2 Evaluate the success of both the product and the
process of the project, including personal reflection.
5.3 Discuss how the solution and process might be
improved in future.

8. Recommended Reading List
No reading list is recommended for this module. While most projects involve software development
there is still a large variation in project type. Similarly, the actual process of software development
also varies between projects. No single reference book would be appropriate for all projects.
Most candidates undertake this module as part of a preparation courses and have been taught
specific software development methods. Some candidates submit a project they have undertaken for
their employer and will have already followed company-specific standards for process and
documentation. A few projects do not involve software development and might need a different
approach to process and documentation.
Project examiners will accept a variety of documentation approaches. However, all candidates are
recommended to read the guidance on the BCS website about the required elements of a project
report. It might be necessary for a candidate to supplement college-specific or company-specific
documentation in order to provide all the necessary elements of a BCS project report. Candidates are
strongly advised to seek guidance from their authenticator on the best approach to documentation.
9. Contact Points
Email:
Customer Service team via www.bcs.org/contact
Phone:
UK: 01793 417424 or 0845 300 4417 (lo-call rate)
Overseas: +44 (0)1793 417424
Lines are open Monday to Friday, 08.15 a.m. to 5.45 p.m. UK time.
Website:
www.bcs.org/heq
Post:
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
First Floor, Block D, North Star House, North Star Avenue,
Swindon SN2 1FA, United Kingdom


BCS Higher Education Qualifications Diploma in IT Professional Project Syllabus

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

BCS Higher Education Qualifications Diploma in IT Professional Project Syllabus

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

BCS Higher Education Qualifications Diploma in IT Professional Project Syllabus

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

BCS Higher Education

Professional Project Syllabus

5. Prior Knowledge Expected 3

6. Format and Duration of the Examination 4

8. Recommended Reading List 5

Copyright © BCS 2016 Page 2 of 5

Version Number Date Changes Made

 Identify and investigate a topic which has a computer-based solution.

5. Prior Knowledge Expected

Copyright © BCS 2016 Page 3 of 5

Copyright © BCS 2016 Page 4 of 5

Copyright © BCS 2016 Page 5 of 5

You might also like