CS461 - Business Analyst Synoptic Project
| TIMETABLE | TEACHING MATERIAL |
| Credits | 60 |
| Level | 4 |
| Semester | Term 1, Term 2, Term 3 |
| Availability | This module is available to apprentices taking BSc Hons Digital and Technology Solutions with specialisation in Business Analysis (a Degree Apprenticeship programme). |
| Prerequisites | The module enables apprentices to synthesise the knowledge, skills and behaviours acquired during the previous years of the programme. |
| Learning Activities Breakdown | A mixture of self-study, project supervision meetings, and work-based project work. |
| Items of Assessment | 3 |
| Assessment | The module is assessed via a Project report and supporting artefacts. Participants are required to submit a project progress report (10%) and a final report (80%). In addition, they have to undertake an End Point Assessment (EPA) presentation (10%) to an independent End Point Assessor who also assesses whether they meet the IT Consultant knowledge, skills and behaviours. The EPA is a required component of Apprenticeship degrees. |
| Lecturer | Fraser Macdonald |
Aims and Objectives
The module aims to develop participants' project management skills and advance their practical understanding of Business Analysis within a work-related synoptic project.
Participants are required to undertake a significant individual work-based project with minimal supervision in an area related to Business Analysis that is relevant to their job role.
Learning Outcomes
During this module, participants will:
- Apply analytical and practical skills gained earlier in the programme.
- Synthesise information, ideas and practice, to develop a quality solution.
- Manage and execute a significant individual work-based project, with minimal supervision, within the area of Business Analysis agreed in discussion with the academic “client”/supervisor and the apprentice’s employer.
- Communicate project progress, business and technical information, and project outcomes in formal written format.
- Critically evaluate the project process and outcomes.
- Specify, design, test and implement (if appropriate) solution(s) appropriate to the (project) task and business domain.
- Demonstrate achievement of the Business Analyst knowledge, skills and behaviours.
Syllabus
The project is a piece of individual work completed under supervision. Participants will be allocated a supervisor (an academic).
For British Computer Society accreditation, it is expected that within an undergraduate programme, students will undertake a major computing project, normally in their final year and normally as an individual activity, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate:
- their ability to apply practical and analytical skills present in the programme as a whole
- innovation and/or creativity
- synthesis of information, ideas and practices to provide a quality solution together with an evaluation of that solution
- that their project meets a real need in a wider context
- the ability to self-manage a significant piece of work
- critical self-evaluation of the process
During term 1, participants will identify a project in consultation with their line manager and academic supervisor. They will be required to write a project scope document including the background and context, the project objectives, the project scope, the project risks and assumptions, a project plan outlining the key dates and milestones, the people supporting the project, and a commentary as to how the project will enable the apprentice to demonstrate that they meet the Business Analyst knowledge, skills and behaviours.
A draft project scope document is to be submitted in term 1, week 7, and the final version is due at the beginning of week 13.
Once the project has been approved, work on the project will take place in terms 2 and 3 (January - March, and mid-April - early July, respectively). Participants will be required to submit a project progress report (worth 10%) in week 9 of term 2. The final project report (worth 80%), will be submitted in week 11 of term 3. The End Point Assessment presentation will take place during the summer (this aligns with the assessment expectations of the Digital and Technology Solutions Professional Standard).
Recommended Reading
This list is indicative only – the class lecturer may recommend alternative reading material. Please do not purchase any of the reading material listed below until you have confirmed with the class lecturer that it will be used for this class.
On completing this module, participants will develop the following transferrable skills:
- Generic analysis and problem solving skills.
- Verbal and written communication skills by engaging with stakeholders and communicating progress and project outcomes.
- Planning and time management skills through self-managing the project.
Last updated: 2025-09-02 14:06:38