Unit 9: Working To A Brief

Success Booklet

Task 1

Unit 9: Working To A Brief

Report on current working practices The purpose of this task is to evaluate current solutions available, identifying issues that need to be taken into account for your own product.
A.1 - I have analysed the specific requirements for the brief I have been set. A.1 - I have considered general areas of focus related to the brief o o o o o What makes a good model How I will make a good model How I will make it fit for purpose How I will make it suitable for the audience How I will make it user friendly

A.1 - I have considered specific focuses related to the brief o o o o o What features are used How it suitable to its target audience How it is fit for purpose How it has been made user friendly How I will make it user friendly

A.2 - *I have identified the strengths of the product **fully justifying each point made. A.2 - *I have identified the weaknesses of the product **fully justifying each point made. A.2 - *I have identified some of the issues that need to be taken into account when implementing my product. A.1 - I have identified and explained the features that have given me ideas for my product. I have identified and explained the features that I wouldnt use in my product. A.3 - **I have explained issues related to the design which will need to be taken into account when implementing my product. A.3 - **I have explained issues related to the functionality which will need to be taken into account when implementing the product. A.3 - **I have explained issues related to the content which will need to be taken into account when implementing the product. A.3 - *I have explained issues related to the software which will need to be taken into account when implementing the product.

Task 2

Unit 9: Working To A Brief

Evaluating software options This task will require you to evaluate current software packages available to create the spread sheet model.
A.2 - I have gathered information on possible software applications I could use. A.2 - I have evaluated my current knowledge/skills in relation to each of these applications. A.2 - I have identified areas that need further development and estimated how long it may take to acquire the skills I need to use each application effectively, in order to achieve the task. A.2 - I have considered the software that would be required by the user to have installed in order for them to use the product. A.2 - I have listed the advantages of using each software application. A.2 - I have listed the disadvantages of using each software application. A.2 - I have explained how the task may be carried out using each application. A.2 - I have compared each application advantages and disadvantages and explained my preference. A.3 - *I have explained issues related to the software which will need to be taken into account when implementing the product.

Task 3

Unit 9: Working To A Brief

Evaluating your skills. You must evaluate your skills and describe how you will meet the brief given.
A.2 - I have completed a skills audit. A.2 - I have analysed and explained my current level of project management skills. A.2 - I have fully explained what I feel my strengths are and how best I can contribute to the team. A.2 - I have stated who I will be working with on this project A.2 - I have fully explained the challenges I may face working with other people. A.2 - I have fully explained considerations I will have to take into account while working with others. A.2 - I have stated the benefits of working with others. A.2 - I have stated the difficulties that may arise while working with others.

Task 4

Unit 9: Working To A Brief

Planning Techniques. You must use at least two formal project management techniques, detailed enough so that someone else could complete the project with the plan. De
B(i).1 - I have fully explained my understanding of GANTT charts and PERT charts including critical path. B(i).1 - I have fully explained the software I will be using to assist with the project management and explained its benefits. B(i).1 - I have created a mind map of the tasks required to complete the project. B(i).1 - I have created a list of main tasks in a logical order. B(ii).2 - *I have broken down the main tasks into sub-tasks (Design / Implementation / Testing / Hand over to client. B(i).2 - *I have included sub-tasks to include training and acquisition of skills needed B(i).3 - **All tasks and sub-tasks have been broken down into minute detail, with no scope for further breaking down. B(ii).1 - I have worked out which tasks are reliant on other tasks being competed first. B(ii).2 - *I have given all tasks timescales and highlighted key dates B(ii).2 - *I have allocated each task a deadline that fits in with the timeframe Ive been given. B(ii).2 - *I have worked out the resources that I will need to complete the tasks. B(i).2 -*I have created a detailed Gantt chart from the information I have devised so far. B(ii).3 - **I have built in contingency time to the plan. B(ii).3 - **I have built in review time to the plan. B(ii).3 - **I have built in modification time to the plan. B(ii).3 - **I have built in evaluation time into the plan. B(ii).3 - **I have assigned resources (including people Im working with) to each task. B(ii).3 - **I have created relationships between the tasks which are reliant on other tasks. B(i).3 - **I have created a PERT chart for my project. B(i).3 - **I have identified the critical path for my project.

Task 5

Unit 9: Working To A Brief

Ongoing Project Diary You must produce a project diary or log that details how you have progressed through the project.
I have created a project log or diary. I have made explicit reference to the ICT skills and techniques I have developed and/or extended whilst planning (designing the product). (Ci.1) - Explained how I developed or extended my ICT skills and techniques. (Ci.2) - *Explained how I developed and extended my ICT skills and techniques. (Ci.3) - **Explained how I used my initiative to develop and extend my ICT skills and techniques (How you learnt it, e.g. (on-line help, expert helpers, software tutorials).

I have made explicit reference to the ICT tools and techniques I have developed used whilst developing ICT systems. (Cii.1) - Used tools and techniques to develop ICT systems (Interactions with others). (Cii.2) - *Used a range of formal and informal tools and techniques for developing and managing ICT systems. e.g. (agendas, meeting minutes, examples of email sent and received) (Cii.2) - *Shown some awareness that the quality of your work will affect end-users and/or others with whom you have contact with during the project. (staff, community) (Cii.3) - *Used an extensive range of both formal and informal tools and techniques for developing and managing ICT systems. (Cii.3) - *Shown a thorough awareness that the quality of your work will affect end-users and/or others with whom you have contact with during the project.

I have made a diary that shows I have dealt with issues arising from running the project. (Ciii.1) Produced a diary that shows I have dealth with straightforward day-to-day issues arising from running the project. (e.g. no paper in printer) (Ciii.1) My diary identifies the response I have taken to the issues that have arisen. (Ciii.2) - *Produced a diary that shows I have dealth with more complex day-to-day issues arising from running the project. (Ciii.2) - * My diary identifies that I have taken appropriate responses to the day-to-day issues that have arisen, which have been justified. (Ciii.3) - * My diary makes detailed and specific appropriate responses to all issues including more complex issues that have arisen, which have been justified. (Ciii.3) - *My diary explains how I have taken account of longer term implications arising from the issues and the action I have taken to prevent reoccurrence.

Task 6
Support Materials.

Unit 9: Working To A Brief

You develop support material for use with the project. These are any materials that would be reasonably expected to be given to the client and or user on completion of the project.

D(i).1 - I have developed a technical guide and user guide for the product with relevant and correct content. D(i).1 My Technical guide and user guide shows the application of some of the skills I have acquired in this ICT unit, and Unit 1 (creating near-professional documents). D(i).2 *My Technical guide and user guide shows the application of a range of the skills I have acquired in this ICT unit, and Unit 1. D(i).3 - **My Technical guide and user guide shows the application of a wide range of the skills I have acquired in this ICT unit, and Unit 1.

Task 7

Unit 9: Working To A Brief

Analysing my own performance in the planning process. You include an analysis of your own performance identifying strengths and weaknesses in your planning, and use this analysis to show how you will address these issues to be more effective in the future.

E(i).1 - I have described my actions in planning the project and their impact. o Gantt Chart i.e. (How good were your planned timescales? Did you build in enough contingency time? Did you meet your deadline? Did it include all the necessary information? Software useful?). o Tasks i.e. (Did you identify all the required tasks? What helped you? Were the tasks broken down in sub-tasks to a point where they couldnt be broken down further? Did you correctly link tasks by dependence? Were they in the correct order?) o PERT Chart i.e. (volume of work, quality of work, ability to meet deadlines) o CPA o Meetings E(i).1 - I have identified areas for improvement in my planning. E(i).2 *I have analysed my actions in planning the project. E(i).2 *I have identified some strengths and weaknesses in my planning. E(i).2 *I have suggested some improvements I could have made to the overall process. E(i).3 - **I have fully identified strengths and weaknesses in my planning. E(i).3 - **My suggested improvements to the overall process are clearly linked to the analysis of my actions (identified weaknesses) in planning the project.

Task 8

Unit 9: Working To A Brief

Analysing my performance in the implementation process. You include an analysis of your own performance in implementing your ICT solution by identifying strengths and weaknesses and use this analysis to show how you will address these issues to be more effective in the future.

F(i).1 - I have described my actions in implementing my solution for the user. o Interpersonal e.g. (co-operation, exchange of information, clarification of responsibility/working relationship, leadership, enthusiasm, adaptability). o Technical e.g. (knowledge of specific software or hardware, ICT skills in general, giving/taking advice support, learning software) o Effort e.g. (volume of work, quality of work, ability to meet deadlines) o Economic e.g. (identification of physical resources, time needed, efficient use of physical resources/time) F(i).1 - I have identified areas for improvement for the implementation process. F(i).2 *I have analysed the effectiveness of my actions in implementing the solution. o Tracking e.g. (How well I followed my plan / Explained what changes I had to make to my plan during the project and the impact this had). o Team Work e.g. (How well I worked with others (group/others/testing) F(i).2 *I have identified some strengths and weaknesses in the implementation. F(i).2 *I have suggested some improvements I could have made to the overall process. F(i).3 - **I have fully identified strengths and weaknesses in my implementation. F(i).3 - **My suggested improvements to the overall process are clearly linked to the analysis of my actions in implementing the solution.

Task 9

Unit 9: Working To A Brief

Analysing the final solution. You provide a critical analysis of your solution, identifying strengths and weaknesses in order to refine your solution, taking into account user feedback.
G(i).1 - I have made comments on the effectiveness of my solution by comparing it to the user needs. G(i).1 -I have analysed the degree to which the final solution meets professional standards. G(i).1 My evaluation does contain some errors in the spelling, punctuation and grammar. G(i).2 *I have analysed the effectiveness of my solution by comparing it to the user needs. G(i).2 *My analysis is partially based or client or user feedback. G(i).2 *I have identified some strengths and weaknesses of my solution. G(i).2 * My evaluation does contains few errors in the spelling, punctuation and grammar. G(i).3 - **My analysis is fully based or client and user feedback. G(i).3 **I have fully identified some strengths and weaknesses of my solution. G(i).3 **I have suggested how my solution could be improved, clearly linked to the identified weaknesses. G(i).3 - **My evaluation is consistently well-structured using sub-headings in a logical order and there are few, if any spelling, punctuation and grammar errors.