Requirements, Domains and Soft Systems

Module Provider: School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: SE1SE11 Software Engineering
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Summary module description:
This module is aimed at aspiring systems analysts, architects and development managers. It concerns the quality of systems requirements and how systems requirements are derived from the goals stakeholders. Analysis patterns, domain analysis, goal-orientation and management are included.

Aims:
It aims to deepen understanding of well-formed requirements in their context of systems oriented domain analysis; to apply analysis patterns to assure quality and capture of adequate requirements for a given problem; to understand the nature of groundwork and management of requirements.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

1. Use analysis patterns to guide domain and requirements analysis.
2. Produce a hierarchical domain analysis to support requirements elicitation.
3. Write requirements specifications based on goal-refinement argumentation
4. Use goal analysis to assess the completeness of requirements elicited.
5. Describe the requirements lifecycle of prioritisation and implementation.
6. Apply SSM (Soft Systems Methodology) rich pictures and systems thinking to characterise a problematical situation as a domain with stakeholders' concerns.
Additional outcomes:
The module also aims to encourage the development of the following skills:
Requirements elicitation, analysis, specification and process planning.
Awareness of requirements analysis and management tools.
Familiarity with international publications concerning current practice.

Outline content:
1. Domain analysis involving: Jackson Context Diagram; Using architectural models (eg ArchiMate); investigating soft systems using Checkland's SSM
2. Advanced use-cases: Revision of Cockburn?s approach to use-cases; Guiding the development of high quality sets of use-cases through the use of selected analysis patterns.
3. Goal oriented analysis: Building goal refinement arguments and goal graphs; KAOS goal, obstacle refinement modeling; Introductory motivation modeling with ArchiMate.
4. Requirements Management: Using goal-graphs to review requirements scope completeness. Prioritising and managing requirements

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The material will be provided in the lectures; presented and reinforced as pairs of lecture and syndicated tutorial sessions.

Contact hours:
Lectures- 10
Seminars- 10
Guided independent study- 80
Total hours by term- 100
Total hours for module- 100

Summative Assessment Methods:
Written exam- 100%

Other information on summative assessment:
Formative assessment methods:

Length of examination:
One 2-hour examination paper in May/June

Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Examination only.
One 2-hour examination paper in August/September.