Academic Handbook Course Descriptors and Programme Specifications

NCHNAP7102 System Test and Assurance Capstone Project Course Descriptor

Course Title	System Test and Assurance Capstone Project	Faculty	EDGE Innovation Unit (London)
Course code	NCHNAP7102	Course Leader	Professor Scott Wildman (interim)
Credit points	60	Teaching Period	This course will typically be delivered over a 24-week period.
FHEQ level	7	Date approved	March 2022
Compulsory/ Optional	Compulsory
Prerequisites	None
Corequisites	None

Course Summary

The culminating capstone project is conceived and executed by the learner in the workplace. The project will be a business-related project based on the learner’s job role in system testing and assurance. Technical and professional competencies will be assessed. The project will culminate with a written dissertation and viva voce exam as per the Digital Technology Solutions Specialist Assessment Plan.

Indicative project topics may include:

Working with stakeholders to define business needs and lead the gathering of requirements on a business solution.
Identifying gaps in an organisation’s digital portfolio through requirements mapping and making recommendations.
Defining and communicating a business case for a new technology solution.

Course Aims

Give learners the opportunity to carry out an independent project on system testing and assurance.
Train learners to write up their findings and ideas accurately, clearly, coherently and to a high-professional standard.
Train learners to present their own arguments logically and competently, to engage specialist and non-specialist stakeholders.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

K1d	Comprehensively understand the principles of business transformation and how organisations integrate different management functions in the context of technological change.
K1d	Understand own employer’s business objectives and strategy, its position in the market and how own employer adds value to its clients through the services and/or products they provide.
K1d	Comprehensively understand fundamental software testing and assurance concepts and methods; including goals, challenges and limitations of software testing.
K1d	Conceptually understand how to create, configure and maintain multi-server test environments.
K1d	Systematically understand how to design test cases effectively with various testing strategies including the need for representative test data.
K1d	Comprehensively understand how to implement standard testing and assurance methodologies and procedures for a range of digital solution platforms including front-and back-office enterprise, mobile apps and web based applications. This includes the tools and techniques that can be used for automated testing, how to apply these and their limitations.
K2d	Systematically understand the strategic importance of technology enabled business processes, and how they are designed and managed to determine a firm’s ability to compete effectively.
K2d	Justify the value of technology investments and apply benefits management and realisation.
K2d	Systematically understand how to monitor technology related market trends and research and collect competitive intelligence.
K2d	Comprehensively understand technology road-mapping concepts and methods and how to apply them.
K3d	Systematically understand how to select and justify appropriate testing techniques for a software testing situation, taking account of their strengths and weaknesses and the software’s domain, requirements and development maturity.
K3d	Systematically understand the need to deliver clear test results, defect reports and associated test documentation.
K4d	Systematically understand the role of learning and talent management in successful business operations.
K4d	Comprehensively understand the role of leadership in contemporary technology based organisations.
K4d	Understand the personal leadership qualities that are required to establish and maintain an organisation’s technical reputation.
K4d	Comprehensively understand the role of leaders as change agents and identify contributors to successful implementation.

Subject Specific Skills

S1d	Identify, document, review and design complex IT enabled business processes that define a set of activities that will accomplish specific organisational goals and provides a systematic approach to improving those processes.
S1d	Evaluate the significance of human factors to leadership in the effective implementation and management of technology enabled business processes.
S1d	Be competent at negotiating and closing techniques in a range of interactions and engagements, both with senior internal and external stakeholders.
S1d	Write clear, intuitive test cases that are used to verify that each element of the digital system solution under test performs as specified. Use industry standard test management tools to define test cases and specify test data.
S1d	Document, manage and maintain test results and resolutions. Produce defect reports to identify, characterise and prioritise identified defects and aid their resolution. Compile written reports on test activities, outcomes, opportunities and risks, and explain recommendations to stakeholders.
S2d	Deliver workplace transformations through planning and implementing technology based business change programmes including setting objectives, priorities and responsibilities with others in an area of technology specialism.
S2d	Apply broader technical knowledge combined with an understanding of the business context, and how it is changing, to deliver to the company’s business strategy.
S2d	Create and implement innovative technological strategies to support the development of new products, processes and services that align with the company’s business strategy, and develop and communicate compelling business proposals to support these.
S2d	Specify and configure digital system solution test environments to represent the usage context, against which tests can be executed in line with the organisational test strategy.
S2d	Apply appropriate test techniques to execute tests for reach test case using both manual test methods and automated testing tools as appropriate in a commercial environment.
S2d	Create test plans that specify the digital system solution testing objectives, test deliverables, test schedule, test activity estimates and the required test resources (testers, test software and test hardware) required for digital system solution testing.
S2d	Define review and refine test methodologies in line with best practice test strategies and practices. Develop strategies for increased exploitation of reusable automated testing approaches.
S3d	Design and develop technology roadmaps, implementation strategies and transformation plans focused on digital technologies to achieve improved productivity, functionality and end user experience in an area of technology specialism.
S3d	Professionally present digital and technology solution specialism plans and solutions in a well-structured business report.
S3d	Demonstrate self-direction and originality in solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing digital and technology solutions specialist tasks at a professional level.
S3d	Develop their own leadership style and professional values that contribute to building high performing teams.
S4d	Negotiate and agree digital and technology specialism delivery budgets with those with decision-making responsibility.
S4d	Develop and deliver management level presentations which resonate with senior stakeholders, both business and technical.
S4d	Demonstrate effective technology leadership and change management skills for managing technology driven change and continuous improvement.

Transferable and Professional Skills

T1d	Establish high levels of performance in digital and technology solutions activities.
T1d	Be results and outcomes driven to achieve high key performance outcomes for digital and technology solutions objectives.
T2d	Inspire and motivate others to deliver excellent technical solutions and outcomes.
T2d	Promote a high level of cooperation between their own work group and other groups to establish a technology change led culture.
T2d	Develop and support others in developing an appropriate balance of leadership and technical skills.
T2d	Create strong positive relationships with team members to produce high performing technical teams.
T2d	Consistently display an excellent level of technical proficiency in written English and command of scholarly terminology, so as to be able to deal with complex issues in a sophisticated and systematic way.

Teaching and Learning

The contact hours on this course are formed predominantly of supervisory meetings, typically 4 x 1 hour.

Learners are expected to carry out independent research into the topic.

Readings should include a mix of books, journal articles, policy papers and other relevant documents, depending on the topic and the approach taken in the dissertation.

Course information and supplementary materials are available on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Learners are required to attend and participate in all the formal and timetabled sessions for this course. Learners are also expected to manage their directed learning and independent study in support of the course.

The course learning and teaching hours will be structured as follows:

Off-the-job learning (24 days x 7 hours) = 168 hours (e.g. 1 day per week for 24 weeks)
On-the-job learning (48days x 7 hours) = 336 hours (e.g. 2 days per week for 24 weeks)
Private study (4 hours per week for 24 weeks) = 96 hours
Total 600 hours

Assessment

Formative

Learners will be formatively assessed during the course by means of set assignments. These will not count towards the final degree but will provide learners with developmental feedback.

Summative

AE	Assessment Type	Weighting	Online submission	Duration	Length
1	Dissertation	50%	Yes	10 days	10,000 words +/- 10%
2	Viva Voce exam	50%	Yes	90 mins +/- 10%	–

Feedback

Learners will receive formal feedback in a variety of ways: written (via email or VLE correspondence) and indirectly through online discussion groups. Learners will also attend a formal meeting with their Academic Mentor (and for apprentices, including their Line Manager). These bi or tri-partite reviews will monitor and evaluate the learner’s progress.

Feedback is provided on summative assessment and is made available to the student either via email, the VLE or another appropriate method.

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to learners; the indicative reading list provided below is used as part of the approval/modification process only.

Books

Preece, R., 1994. Starting Research : An Introduction to Academic Research and Dissertation Writing. London, New York : Pinter Publishers
Stephan F. M., and Smith, I., 2019. A Practical Guide to Dissertation and Thesis Writing. Newcastle upon Tyne, England : Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Patton, R. (2005). Software Testing. 2nd ed. Indianapolis, IN: Sams Pub.

Journals

Learners are encouraged to read material from relevant journals on postgraduate dissertations and test and assurance as directed by their course leader.

Electronic Resources

Learners are encouraged to consult relevant websites on postgraduate dissertations and test and assurance.

Indicative Topics

Learners will study the following topics:

Testing and assurance in practice
Professional context
Research

Title: NCHAP7102 System Test and Assurance Capstone Project Approved by: Academic Board Location: Academic Handbook/Programme Specifications and Handbooks/ Mobility courses
Version number	Date approved	Date published	Owner	Proposed next review date	Modification (As per AQF4) & category number
2.0	October 2022	January 2023	Professor Scott Wildman	June 2026	Category 1: Corrections/clarifications to documents which do not change approved content. Category 3: Changes to Learning Outcomes
1.0	March 2022	March 2022	Professor Scott Wildman	June 2026