National Unit specification

General information

Unit title: Computing: Project (SCQF level 5)

Unit code: H6S7 45

Superclass: CB

Publication date: February 2014

Source: Scottish Qualifications Authority

Version: 01

Unit purpose
The purpose of this Unit is to allow learners to work collaboratively within a group to plan,
design, implement, test and evaluate a computing project. Learners will be required to
produce a project in response to a project brief. The brief can be formulated by negotiation
between learners and their assessor. The project should be completed by a project team
working together, but with individual learners having defined areas of responsibility. The
planning, design, implementation and testing stages should be carried out collaboratively;
however each learner must complete an individual evaluation of the project as a whole from
inception to completion.

The Unit is suitable for learners studying computing subjects such as web design,
networking, technical support, multimedia, game design or software development and
provides the opportunity for them to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have
accumulated. It should also give learners the opportunity to further develop key skills in
planning, decision making, working with others, communications, implementation, problem
solving, time management, testing and evaluation.

This Unit is a mandatory Unit within the National Certificate in Computing with Digital Media
at SCQF level 5.

Outcomes
On successful completion of the Unit the learner will be able to:

1 Contribute to the creation of a plan for a computing project from a project brief.
2 Contribute to the creation of a design document for the project.
3 Contribute to the implementation of a project plan.
4 Evaluate a project.

H6S7 45, Computing: Project (SCQF level 5) 1

National Unit specification: General information (cont)

Unit title: Computing: Project (SCQF level 5)

Credit points and level

2 National Unit credits at SCQF level 5: (12 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 5).

Recommended entry to the Unit

Entry is at the discretion of the centre, although learners will require to have sufficient skills
and knowledge in a specific area of computing on which the project can be carried out.

Core Skills
Achievement of this Unit gives automatic certification of the following:

Complete Core Skill Working with Others at SCQF level 4

Problem Solving at SCQF level 5

Core Skill component None

There are also opportunities to develop aspects of Core Skills which are highlighted in the
Support Notes of the Unit Specifications for this Course.

Context for delivery

If this Unit is delivered as part of a Group Award, it is recommended that it should be taught
and assessed within the subject area of the Group Award to which it contributes. It is also
expected that it be undertaken in the later part of the academic year, so that learners have
successfully completed a number of Units from within the Group Award and will have gained
suitable knowledge, skills, experience and confidence with which to carry out the
requirements effectively. The project should be based on the content of the Units within the
Group Award.

The Assessment Support Pack (ASP) for this Unit provides assessment and marking
guidelines that exemplify the national standard for achievement. It is a valid, reliable and
practicable assessment. Centres wishing to develop their own assessments should refer to
the ASP to ensure a comparable standard. A list of existing ASPs is available to download
from SQA’s website (http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/46233.2769.html).

Equality and inclusion

This Unit specification has been designed to ensure that there are no unnecessary barriers
to learning or assessment. The individual needs of learners should be taken into account
when planning learning experiences, selecting assessment methods or considering
alternative evidence.

Further advice can be found on our website www.sqa.org.uk/assessmentarrangements.

H6S7 45, Computing: Project (SCQF level 5) 2

National Unit specification: Statement of standards

Unit title: Computing: Project (SCQF level 5)

Acceptable performance in this Unit will be the satisfactory achievement of the standards set
out in this part of the Unit specification. All sections of the statement of standards are
mandatory and cannot be altered without reference to SQA.

Outcome 1
Contribute to the creation of a plan for a computing project from a project brief.

Performance Criteria

In collaboration with team members create a project plan which includes all of the following:

(a) Create a specification for a suitable project based on a project brief.

(b) Create an action plan with key tasks and milestones identified with timescales.
(c) Identify the resources required to complete the project.
(d) Assign roles and responsibilities to each team member.

Outcome 2
Contribute to the creation of a design document for the project.

Performance Criteria

In collaboration with team members create a design document which includes all of the
following:

(a) Create appropriate design diagrams and/or written designs.

(b) Identify an appropriate test strategy.
(c) Produce a test plan.

Outcome 3
Contribute to the implementation of a project plan.

Performance Criteria

In collaboration with team members:

(a) Carry out the key tasks identified in the project plan.
(b) Acquire and use the resources appropriately in accordance with the project plan.
(c) Review and maintain progress through regular team meeting discussions.
(d) Maintain a concise record of the implementation process.
(e) Carry out the test plan.
(f) Rectify errors in the implementation and track any changes.

H6S7 45, Computing: Project (SCQF level 5) 3

National Unit specification: Statement of standards (cont)

Unit title: Computing: Project (SCQF level 5)

Outcome 4
Evaluate a project.

Performance Criteria

Each member of the team should produce an individual evaluation report to:

(a) Identify strengths and areas for improvement in the project plan.
(b) Identify strengths and areas for improvement in the implementation of the project.
(c) Review each team member’s contribution to the project, including their own.
(d) Identify strengths and weaknesses of the team as a whole in carrying out the project.
(e) Identify action points to improve the planning and implementation of future projects.

Evidence Requirements for this Unit

Assessors should use their professional judgement, subject knowledge and experience, and
understanding of their learners to determine the most appropriate ways to generate evidence
and the conditions and contexts in which they are used.

The evidence for this Unit may be written or oral or a combination of these. Evidence may be
captured, stored and presented in a range of media (including audio and video) and formats
(analogue and digital). Particular consideration should be given to digital formats and the use
of multimedia.

Evidence is required to demonstrate that learners have achieved all Outcomes and
Performance Criteria. Learners will be assessed on how they completed their individual tasks
in the planning, design, implementation, testing and evaluation of a team based project. Each
learner must demonstrate their contribution to each of the four stages and their ability to work
effectively as part of a team. The assessor should also judge the success of the project as a
whole and how well the final product was realised. However it is not mandatory that
everything that they set out to do was achieved, but anything they fail to do must be
explained in the evaluation as to why those aims were not achieved. At least 75% of the aims
set out in the project plan should be achieved by the team in order for them to successfully
pass the Unit.

The first three stages of the project are all team based and therefore the team need only
submit a single copy of the documents to be assessed for all members of the team. The final
evaluation stage is individual and therefore each learner must submit their own report.

Each group of learners should submit the following for assessment:

Outcome 1

 Project plan, which must include specification, tasks, milestones and timescale with
details of the roles and responsibilities assigned to individual learners.
 Record of all initial team meetings, which should demonstrate individual contributions to
discussions at the planning stage.

H6S7 45, Computing: Project (SCQF level 5) 4

National Unit specification: Statement of standards (cont)

Unit title: Computing: Project (SCQF level 5)

Outcome 2

 Design document, which should include design diagrams and/or written designs, which
will depend largely on nature of the project.
 Test strategy and test plan.
 Record of all team meetings, which should demonstrate individual contributions to
discussions at the design stage.

Outcome 3

 Evidence of the implementation of the project plan.

 Completed test plan and record of any changes made.
 Record of all team meetings held during implementation, which should demonstrate
individual contributions to the decision making process at the implementation stage.
 A concise record of all activity, by all members during the implementation stage. The
record should show dates and be updated on at least a weekly basis.

Outcome 4

 Individual evaluation reports.

The project should be carried out under open-book conditions; however evidence must be
produced under controlled conditions whenever possible and where appropriate. The amount
of control will vary from context to context. For example, evidence could be generated
through the use of web blog, written over an extended period of time at varying locations,
which would not permit such controlled conditions. However, in every case, the conditions of
assessment must be controlled to some extent. Where the amount of control is low, the
amount of authentication should rise. It is not acceptable to produce evidence in lightly
controlled conditions with little authentication.

Authentication may take various forms including, but not limited to, oral questioning and
plagiarism checks. Some forms of evidence generation (such as video recordings) have
intrinsic authentication and would require no further means of verification. Where evidence is
not generated under closely controlled conditions (for example, out of class) then a
statement of authenticity should be provided by the learners to verify the work as their own,
and also state any necessary sources and permissions. Any media assets used in the project
that are not original work must show compliance with copyright law.

Evidence of practical competence may be produced over an extended period of time,

notwithstanding any Performance Criteria relating to duration or time. Consideration should
be given to the use of e-portfolios for the storage and presentation of evidence of practical
and cognitive competence.

Whenever possible, evidence should be a naturally occurring by-product of teaching and

learning. However, it must be produced by the learners without assistance. Authentication
must be used where this is uncertain.

H6S7 45, Computing: Project (SCQF level 5) 5

National Unit Support Notes

Unit title: Computing: Project (SCQF level 5)

Unit Support Notes are offered as guidance and are not mandatory.

While the exact time allocated to this Unit is at the discretion of the centre, the notional
design length is 80 hours.

Guidance on the content and context for this Unit

This Unit is a mandatory Unit within the NC in Computing with Digital Media at SCQF level 5.
It is intended to give learners the opportunity to use skills, knowledge and understanding
developed through the successful completion of the other Units within the award. The project
should be based on the content of the Units within the award and should reflect the particular
emphasis individual centres have placed on the award, by their selection of optional Units.
The brief for the project can be created by a negotiation between the assessor and the
learners, but the assessor must ensure it meets the requirements of the Unit.

It is recommended that this Unit would be delivered towards the end of a programme of
study, when learners are in a position to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have
accumulated over this course of study.

The nature of the project will depend on the particular area of computing chosen by the
assessor or centre and this can be subject to negotiation with the learners. It may be that the
project is to create a website, computer game, software application or an interactive
multimedia application. If the centre has decided on a hardware based project, it could be
that the project is to setup and configure a small client server local area network or it could
involve building a personal computer from parts, including selecting and acquiring the
components needed. In all these examples the project brief should state that there is a client
for the finished product. This client could be a company or individual; preferably a real life
client if possible.

The project brief, which can be provided by the assessor, but may also be subject to
negotiation with the learners, should include:

 The area of computing on which the project will focus.

 A realistic scenario, including who the intended client is for the outputs of the project.
 A timescale for completion of the project.

In addition the brief should offer sufficient flexibility to allow each group of learners to devise
their own unique response to it.

H6S7 45, Computing: Project (SCQF level 5) 6

National Unit Support Notes (Cont)

Unit title: Computing: Project (SCQF level 5)

The assessor should ensure that the specification produced by the learners, based on the
project brief, will:

 allow learners to perform non-routine tasks.

 Contain complex elements suitable for SCQF level 5.
 Provide learners with the opportunity to demonstrate a range of knowledge and skills
from other Units in the Group Award at SCQF level 5.
 Provide the opportunity to produce a suitable solution to the project brief.
 Provide learner groups with a realistic chance of completion within the timescale.

Learners who achieve the NC in Computing with Digital Media at SCQF level 5 award by
successfully passing this Unit, could consider progression to HNC Computing. They could
also consider the HNC/HND awards in Computer Games Development, Information
Technology, Multimedia Computing: Web Development and the HND awards in Technical
Support, Software Development, Computing: Networking and Multimedia Computing. This
may depend on the particular emphasis individual centres have placed on the award, by their
selection of optional Units.

Guidance on approaches to delivery of this Unit

It is expected that by timetabling this Unit for delivery in the later part of the academic year,
learners will have gained suitable knowledge, skills, experience and confidence with which to
carry out this Unit effectively. The delivery of this Unit is designed to give learners the
opportunity to use the skills, knowledge and understanding, they have acquired through other
Units on the NC in Computing with Digital Media award at SCQF level 5: the Unit should not
be concerned with re-teaching other Unit content.

The Unit involves learners working as part of a team and it is recommended that in the first
instance learners are allowed to choose their own team members. Teams of more than four
members are not recommended. Teams should also negotiate the roles and responsibilities
of each team member by themselves, including choosing someone to lead the team. The
assessor may give guidance if necessary and required, but this should be avoided if
possible.

Learners will find it helpful in understanding how they might approach this Unit if they are
given realistic examples of acceptable and achievable computing projects.

Acceptable/achievable projects will be those that:

 contain complex elements in the planning, design, implementation and evaluation.

 contain a controllable plan and/or a manageable set of resources.
 combine a manageable range of knowledge and skills from other Units.
 encourage the learners to perform non-routine tasks.

H6S7 45, Computing: Project (SCQF level 5) 7

National Unit Support Notes (cont)

Unit title: Computing: Project (SCQF level 5)

Unacceptable/unachievable projects will be those that:

 have very basic planning, design, implementation and evaluation.

 have an over complicated plan/set of resources.
 replicate the Evidence Requirements for another Unit.

Centres will need to consider resource/facility/staff issues when timetabling this Unit and this
may require a well-defined project brief that provides learners with realistic opportunities for
success.

Project plans by definition have phases with start and end dates. Beyond these criteria, it
may not be suitable for centres to structure this Unit too rigidly.

Guidance on approaches to assessment of this Unit

This Unit involves learners working as part of a team to plan, design, implement, test and
evaluate a computing project. Learners should be assessed on their individual contribution to
a team project based on a project brief. Evidence can be generated using different types of
assessment. The following are suggestions only. There may be other methods that would be
more suitable to learners.

The project should be carried out under open-book, but controlled conditions whenever
possible and where appropriate. The amount of control will vary depending on the nature of
the project and the stage of the project the team are working on.

Assessment evidence is required at all stages and Outcomes. It must be documented and
recorded electronically or in written/printed form, however it is encouraged to look at
alternative approaches making use of modern technology such as web blog, video blog, pod
casts and social media. Learners may want to make use of project planning software to
create their action plan for Outcome 1. For Outcome 3, activity records could consist of
individual logs for each team member or a single log for the whole team showing how every
member contributed.

Centres are reminded that prior verification of centre-devised assessments would help to
ensure that the national standard is being met. Where learners experience a range of
assessment methods, this helps them to develop different skills that should be transferable to
work or further and higher education.

Holistic assessment of the project is recommended. Assessors could use a checklist to

evaluate how well individual learners completed their own tasks, how well they adhered to
agreed roles and responsibilities, managed time and delivered the requirements of the
project brief. Learners should also be assessed on how well they worked with others - their
communication, collaboration and problem solving skills, and their overall contribution to the
effectiveness of the team.

H6S7 45, Computing: Project (SCQF level 5) 8

National Unit Support Notes (cont)

Unit title: Computing: Project (SCQF level 5)

The project brief can be set by the assessor or can be created via an assessor led
negotiation between the assessor and the learners. The assessor must ensure it meets the
requirements and standards required by the Unit and is appropriate based on the skills and
knowledge that the learners have acquired via the other Units in the NC in Computing with
Digital Media award at SCQF level 5. It is acceptable for the assessor to devise multiple
project briefs for the teams to choose from, so that different teams within the same class
could carry out very different projects. This would depend very much on the facilities and
resources available at the centre and the expertise of the Unit assessor.

To ensure that teams provide a structured and achievable plan, it is recommended that they
successfully complete Outcome 1 before being allowed to progress to the design stage in
Outcome 2. It is also recommended that they complete the design stage in Outcome 2 before
progressing to the implementation stage in Outcome 3. Collaborative discussion between the
assessor and the project teams during the early stages of the project can influence the
success of the project in the later stages.

Evidence for Outcomes 2 and 3 of the project will depend on its nature.

 If the project is software or multimedia based, then suitable evidence would be

flowcharts, storyboards, concept art, media catalogues, character bibles, etc. If the
project is on networking then evidence could be a network diagram showing network
topology and layout. If the project is hardware based then evidence could be a list of
parts needed with various suppliers and costs.
 If the project is based on web design, multimedia, game design or software development
a copy of the finished product on appropriate media would be sufficient or a URL to
where it is published online. If the project is networking or technical support in nature,
evidence may be in the form of a demonstration of the final product to the assessor.

Learners should be given guidance regarding acceptable use of equipment in the course of
producing the evidence and operate within the parameters of centre policies and health and
safety procedures.

Opportunities for e-assessment

E-assessment may be appropriate for some assessments in this Unit. By e-assessment we
mean assessment which is supported by Information and Communication Technology (ICT),
such as e-testing or the use of e-portfolios or social software. Centres which wish to use
e-assessment must ensure that the national standard is applied to all learner evidence and
that conditions of assessment as specified in the Evidence Requirements are met,
regardless of the mode of gathering evidence. The most up-to-date guidance on the use of
e-assessment to support SQA’s qualifications is available at
www.sqa.org.uk/e-assessment.

H6S7 45, Computing: Project (SCQF level 5) 9

National Unit Support Notes (cont)

Unit title: Computing: Project (SCQF level 5)

Opportunities for developing Core and other essential skills

In this Unit, the project will provide opportunities for learners to develop Core Skills in
Problem Solving, Communication, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and
Working with Others.

The project will also provide opportunities for learners to develop skills in planning, decision
making, implementation, time management, testing, evaluation, enterprise, employability and
citizenship. This will depend on the nature of the project chosen and the level of realism, for
example there may be a real client who they are producing the product for.

This Unit has the Core Skill of Working with Others and Problem Solving embedded in it, so
when candidates achieve this Unit their Core Skills profile will be updated to show that they
have achieved Working with Others at SCQF level 4 and Problem Solving at SCQF Level 5.

H6S7 45, Computing: Project (SCQF level 5) 10

History of changes to Unit

Version Description of change Date

© Scottish Qualifications Authority 2014

This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for educational purposes provided
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acknowledged.

Additional copies of this Unit specification can be purchased from the Scottish Qualifications
Authority. Please contact the Business Development and Customer Support team, telephone
0303 333 0330.

H6S7 45, Computing: Project (SCQF level 5) 11

General information for learners

Unit title: Computing: Project (SCQF level 5)

This section will help you decide whether this is the Unit for you by explaining what the Unit
is about, what you should know or be able to do before you start, what you will need to do
during the Unit and opportunities for further learning and employment.

The purpose of this Unit is to allow you to work collaboratively within a team to plan,
implement, test and evaluate a computing project. As such you will need to form a team,
ideally consisting of three to four members. Your team will be required to produce a project in
response to a project brief. The project brief can be created by negotiation with your
instructor. The project will be completed by your project team working collaboratively
together, but you will have defined areas of responsibility. The planning, design,
implementation and testing stages should be carried out collaboratively by your team;
however each team member must complete an individual evaluation of the project as a
whole from beginning to end.

The Unit is suitable if you are studying computing subjects such as web design, networking,
technical support, multimedia, game design or software development and gives you the
opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have accumulated. It will also
provide the opportunity to further develop key skills in planning, decision making, working
with others, communications, implementation, problem solving, time management, testing
and evaluation.

Over the course of the project you will work collaboratively within your team through three
stages (planning, design and implementation) and individually in a final evaluation stage. It is
important that you contribute to each stage and that you record evidence of what you
contributed at each stage.

In the first stage your team must produce a plan based on a project brief. The plan will
include a proposal, action plan with key tasks and timescales, list of resources required and
a list of roles and responsibilities for each team member. It is important that you take part in
the decision making process at this stage.

In the second stage your team must produce a design document for your project. The
document may include written designs and/or design diagrams. This will depend largely on
the area of computing that the project is based on. If the project is software or multimedia
based, then suitable approaches would be flowcharts, storyboards, concept art, media
catalogues, character bibles, etc. If it is a networking project an example would be a network
diagram showing network topology and layout. If the project is hardware based, an example
would be a list of parts needed with various suppliers and costs. As part of the design stage
a suitable testing strategy must be selected and a test plan created.

In the third stage your team will be required to carry out the implementation of the project, by
each team member following the project plan and carrying out their key tasks and
responsibilities. The team will also be required to carry out testing of the product at this
stage, with all results being recorded. You will need to rectify errors found at this stage and
all resulting changes must be recorded. Team meetings will form an important part of the
third stage, to make sure that everybody in the team is on track and meeting the deadlines
set.

H6S7 45, Computing: Project (SCQF level 5) 12

General information for learners (cont)

Unit title: Computing: Project (SCQF level 5)

In the final stage you will be required to individually evaluate the strengths and weaknesses
of your team as a whole and the individuals within the team, including yourself. You will also
be required to identify ways you could improve the process in the future.

H6S7 45, Computing: Project (SCQF level 5) 13