Unit:

Agile Development
Assignment title:
Social Interactions
March 2017

Marking Scheme
Markers are advised that, unless a task specifies that an answer be provided in a
particular form, then an answer that is correct (factually or in practical terms) must be
given the available marks. If there is doubt as to the correctness of an answer, the relevant
NCC Education materials should be the first authority.

This marking scheme has been prepared as a guide only to markers and there will
frequently be many alternative responses which will provide a valid answer.

Each candidate’s script must be fully annotated with the marker’s comments (where
applicable) and the marks allocated for each part of the tasks.
Task Guide Maximum
Marks
1 The nature of this assessment means that it is not possible to be
too proscriptive in terms of the submission for the student. The
actual content will vary considerably depending on the individual
approach students have taken to the brief. It is important to show a
degree of flexibility and credit valid alternative answers However,
certain responses should be expected from the submission.
16
The report should outline the 8 principles of DSDM Atern and how
they will be applied to the project. Award up to 2 marks for applying
each principle to the brief.
4
The nature of game development is highly iterative and dependant
on user feedback. Award up to 4 marks for a reasonable
discussion of how agile methods can be used to effectively
reinforce user and managerial feedback throughout the project.

Award four marks for a detailed answer which covers at least four
main points, award three marks for a reasonably detailed answer
which covers at least three distinct points, award two marks for an
answer that covers at least two distinct points, award one mark for
an answer which makes at least one relevant point, and award no
marks if not attempted or nothing relevant is mentioned.

Examples of how agile methods can be used to effectively

reinforce user and managerial feedback include:

 One or more team members from SI should be included in

the Agile Development Team in a suitable SDT role. They
should be attending regular meetings with the team and will
be able to provide regular feedback throughout the project,
both from themselves and through updating other staff from
SI who can then input into the discussions.
 Agile development uses prototyping so users can test early
versions of the app and provide feedback from an early
stage.
 Agile development prioritises requirements and users will
have more of an idea as to which requirements have more
priority for them once they have a working prototype to test.
 Agile development involves several sprints, each of which
produces a tangible output which managers and users can
examine and provide feedback on.
5
A further five marks is available for a discussion on how the
specifics of this project are served by the theoretical benefits of the
framework as it is outlined above.

The marks for this should be awarded for discussing the benefits of
Agile in relation to the specifics of this project.

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Agile Development © NCC Education Limited 2017
Task Guide Maximum
Marks

For example, SI are very keen to ensure the app is fully accessible
for older users, and are also keen to ensure that the app is fully
accessible for users with impairments or accessibility issues.

The discussion of user input and feedback should mention this and
discuss the importance of including older users and those with
impairments in the testing and feedback process throughout the
entire project in order to ensure that the app is as accessible as
possible. The Agile Development method makes this much easier
to do that using a traditional Waterfall methodology where user 25
involvement is much more limited.
2 Four person specifications are expected to be produced as part of
this assessment. The specific remit of each will vary depending on
the way that the student has chosen to distribute responsibilities
across these roles. However, each role should include details and
justifications for each of the following things:

 Skills, and how they will contribute to the project (1 mark)

 Experience, and why it is necessary (1 mark)
 Weight of contribution, with the expectation this will be
reflected in their later project plans. (1 mark)

The roles advertised for could include any of the following:

 a technical app development role
 an HCI role
 a graphic designer role
 an accessibility specialist and/ or gerontechnology specialist
role
 a project manager role
 a Workshop Facilitator role

The skills required should be relevant to the roles advertised. The

technical app development role. The level of experience would
need to be at least one successful previous project for each role,
but more could be asked for. The weight of contribution would vary
depending on the role. The app developer(s) and project manager
will be heavily involved throughout the entire project. A graphic
designer would have high involvement for the initial prototype and
later if significant changes or new content was required after user
feedback. An accessibility or gerontechnology specialist could
have a large initial input, and then take a smaller, intermittent role
with more focus given to the feedback from relevant users who are
involved in testing the app at various stages during the project. A
Workshop Facilitator would have an intermittent role.

12

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3 The answer to this should explain the role of the Business Sponsor
and how it fits into the team. This may include some of the
following:

 The Business Sponsor is the most senior project level

business role
 The Business Sponsor is the project champion who is
committed to the project, the proposed solution and the
approach to delivering it
 The Business Sponsor is responsible for the Business Case
throughout the project.
 The Business Sponsor will own the solution once delivered
and will be responsible for the realisation of any benefits
associated with it.
 The Business Sponsor must hold a sufficiently senior
position in the organisation to be able to resolve business
issues
 The Business Sponsor must ensure on-going viability of the
project in line with the business case
 The Business Sponsor must ensure that funds and other
resources are made available as needed.
 The Business Sponsor must be able to ensure that decision
making is effective and rapid.

Award 1 mark for each bullet point above, or any other

suitable point. Marks should be awarded up to a maximum of
5 marks.

Identify a suitable candidate for the role: William Burnell

Award 2 marks for identification of a suitable person

Explain why the other two candidates would not be suitable for the
Business Sponsor role.
 Aayan Chaudhry does not have enough knowledge of the
project.
 Aayan Chaudhry does not have a sufficiently senior role in
the organisation to be the business sponsor.
 Aayan Chaudhry works from home 80% of the time so is not
available on site enough to perform the role.
 Sandra Ebuehi does not have a sufficiently senior role in the
organisation to be the business sponsor.
 Sandra Ebuehi is a volunteer, not a paid employee.
 Sandra Ebuehi only contributes to the charity on a part –
time basis.

Award 1 mark for each bullet point or other suitable point up

to a maximum of 6 marks. 13
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4 The annotated diagram will depend on the nature of the team and
how responsibilities are to be divided, but should include the
following key elements for each sprint:

 The goal and available time (5 marks) 5

 An overview of who is to be allocated to which
responsibilities within the sprint (5 marks) 5
 Which members of the Social Interaction team will be
involved, and in what capacity (5 marks) 5
 The goals expected for each of the phases of the iterative
development cycle (5 marks) 5
 What is expected of the software prototype at this phase of
development. (5 marks) 5

The diagram should cover all four stages. The stages should be in
the correct order. Each stage should include all the bullet points
listed above.

 Award 5 marks for each bullet point if the answer is suitable

for each stage.
 Award 4 marks for each bullet point if the answer is suitable
for at least 3 stages.
 Award 3 marks for each bullet point if the answer is suitable
for at least 2 stages.
 Award 2 marks for each bullet point if the answer is suitable
for at least 1 stage.
 Award 1 mark for each bullet point if the answer is partly
suitable for only one stage.
 Award 0 marks if completely omitted from the diagram or no
answers are suitable for any of the stages.
25
5 The project plan will depend on the nature of the team, the
expected composition of the project, and the way in which
responsibilities are to be divided. However, the following things
should be properly documented in line with expected standards of
documentation.
5
 Timeboxes for each sprint (5 marks) 5
 Estimates for each sprint (5 mark) 5
 The number of sprints and their relationship to each other (5
marks) 5
 Anticipated deliverables for each step of the project (5
marks)

The project plan should cover the four stages of the iterative
development cycle. The project plan should include at least one 5
timebox for each stage (preferably more), with several timeboxes
in the Evolve phase. Award 5 marks for the number of sprints and

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their relationship to each other if there are a sufficient number of
sprints and they are all suitably ordered. Deduct marks for fewer
than needed sprints, or if they are not related correctly, and if they
do not cover all main tasks.

Award full marks for full and detailed timeboxes, estimates, and
anticipated deliverables at all stages of the plan. Deduct a mark for
each sprint these are missing from.

A further five marks are available for satisfactory completion of the

Project Approach Questionnaire.

25
Total: 100 Marks

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Learning Outcomes matrix

Task Learning Outcomes Marker can differentiate

assessed between varying levels of
achievement
1 1, 5, 6 Yes
2 2, 6 Yes
3 2, 6 Yes
4 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Yes
5 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Yes

Grade descriptors

Learning Outcome Pass Merit Distinction

Understand the Demonstrate Demonstrate Demonstrate highly
background to Agile adequate level of robust level of comprehensive level
development understanding understanding of understanding
Understand the roles Demonstrate Demonstrate Demonstrate highly
within an Agile adequate level of robust level of comprehensive level
development team understanding understanding of understanding
Understand the Demonstrate Demonstrate Demonstrate highly
various Agile adequate robust comprehensive
development understanding of understanding of understanding of
techniques techniques techniques techniques
Understand an Agile Demonstrate Demonstrate Demonstrate highly
development lifecycle adequate level of robust level of comprehensive level
understanding understanding of understanding
Understand the Demonstrate Demonstrate Demonstrate highly
principles associated adequate level of robust level of comprehensive level
with an Agile understanding understanding of understanding
development
approach
Be able to apply an Demonstrate Demonstrate ability Demonstrate ability
Agile development ability to perform to perform the task to perform the task to
approach to a the task consistently well the highest standard
particular project
scenario

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Agile Development © NCC Education Limited 2017