Arden College Database Management System: A Software Project

Desklib provides past papers and solved assignments. This project details the design and implementation of a database system for a college.

Software project

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction................................................................................................................................1
Task 1.........................................................................................................................................2
1.1 produce three possible initial, outline software project specifications.............................2
1.2 select one of the three outline software project specifications, and explain the factors
which determined the selection of the chosen outline specification......................................3
1.3 produce a final, full software project specification for the chosen outline software
project specification...............................................................................................................4
1.4 produce a project plan for the software project................................................................6
Task 2.........................................................................................................................................7
2.1 implement the chosen full software project specification using appropriate software....7
2.2 Produce a user-manual, including screenshots, to demonstrate the implementation of
the full software project specification..................................................................................11
2.3 upload the implemented software executable to an appropriate digital medium to
demonstrate the operation of the software according to the user-manual............................13
Task 3.......................................................................................................................................14
Produce documentation which demonstrates that the software project has been evaluated
using appropriate techniques from the software project management process....................14
3.2 discuss the significance of the project and its limitations..............................................15
3.3 Suggested improvements and recommended future developments...............................15
Task 4.......................................................................................................................................18
4.1 In detail the key technical differences between ADSL and your chosen replacement
technology............................................................................................................................18
4.2 In detail the types of traffic that the hospital might expect on the WAN link that would
require the new connection..................................................................................................18
4.3 An outline of how the hospital can ensure that their services are protected from
malicious interference via the Internet.................................................................................19

4.4 An outline of ONE method that Salen Hospital and Oban Hospital can employ to
ensure that confidential communications are not compromised when being relayed on the
Internet.................................................................................................................................19
Task 5.......................................................................................................................................20
5.1 Use CISCO Packet Tracer to model the entire WAN connection from Salen Hospital to
a PoP at Connel and from there, via the Internet to Oban hospital......................................20
5.2 for the devices shown in your diagram, specify exactly which product (manufacturer
and model number) should be use and explain why this particular device is appropriate for
this application.....................................................................................................................21
Conclusion................................................................................................................................22
References................................................................................................................................23

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Student table...............................................................................................................8
Figure 2: Course table design.....................................................................................................8
Figure 3: Teacher table design...................................................................................................9
Figure 4: Registration table........................................................................................................9
Figure 5: Units table...................................................................................................................9
Figure 6: Lecture allocation table...............................................................................................9
Figure 7: Forms with action button..........................................................................................10
Figure 8: Reports on tables.......................................................................................................10
Figure 9: Query for faster action..............................................................................................11
Figure 10: Basic application window.......................................................................................11
Figure 11: Table design with data types and field size and formatting....................................12
Figure 12: Validation on wrong insertions...............................................................................16
Figure 13: VPN........................................................................................................................19
Figure 14: Network diagram....................................................................................................21

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Project outline specification.........................................................................................2
Table 2: Project plan...................................................................................................................6

Introduction
Software project management process has set of systematic activities to identify the
requirements, design the solution and implement the system with proper support for
maintenance and monitoring. The presented report will produce three software project
specification documents for the organization, Artden College, to manage the teachers,
students and other related data in a database system. With consideration of several factors on
the project selection, the project with ‘new database solution’ will be selected. In later task,
the report will have goal to implement the system according to the requirements. During the
design and implementation phase, the report will discuss project management and evaluation
techniques and will ensure how effective the performance to achieve the goals as specified in
specification document. After completion of the database system, the report also will
document the user-manual. Later in task four and fifth, the report will discuss network design
concepts and potential security and management practices related to the network. Therefore,
the report will discuss project management, software development, database systems and
computer networking systems as mix of knowledge to meet the client requirements.
1

Task 1
1.1 produce three possible initial, outline software project specifications
Arden College designs and develops various courses for the improvement of communication
skills among students along with the development of learning capability among them. Hence,
to facilitate students regarding various courses, issues, and to improve the efficiency of
existing system, the college requires an efficient database system. There are three alternatives
for the software specification project, first is to introduce new database within the
administration department, second is to improve the existing database system and third is to
implementation of Bespoke Application.
Software project specifications
The current practices of Arden College in managing and storing data can be improved with
the integrated database system either with the new or improved or off the shelf software that
will deliver high performance and improved security solutions (Borade and Khalkar, 2013).
Table 1: Project outline specification
Introduction of new
software
Improving existing
system
Implementing third-
party system
Project
Description
The main aim to
introduce new database
project is to centralize the
information regarding
student records, their
family backgrounds,
sports activities,
achievements and honors,
etc. In addition, database
leads to effective
integration of data
pertaining to schedules of
classes, curriculum, and
The improvement in
existing database
regarding integration
of attendance,
calendar, and online
registration forms that
help the organisation
to easily manage the
data.
The implementation
of Bespoke
application is
customized software
that helps the Arden
College to track the
records of all the
activities happening
around the campus.
2

other relevant aspects.
Benefits of
the project
The database will support
the introduction of new
integrated system within
Arden college so that
data can be easily shared.
Also, management of
data will leads to, reliable
outcome.
All the events within
Arden College, like,
recruitment, events at
multiple locations, or
events by different
students, etc can be
effectively monitored
along with all the data
pertaining to
attendance and
participation
(Thakurta, 2013).
It is a cost efficient
software as it operates
in an automatic
manner in case of
repetitive tasks. These
are more user
friendly.
Budget/
Resources
The budget of the project
is estimated at a cost of
£25000. It includes all
the expenses of
development and
installation of database
software at Arden
College.
The estimated cost for
improving the existing
project is £18,000.
£17,000 is estimated
for the
implementation of
Bespoken application
within the campus of
Arden college.
1.2 select one of the three outline software project specifications, and explain the factors
which determined the selection of the chosen outline specification
Following are the factors on the basis of which decision can be taken regarding the selection
of project out of the alternatives:
Risk and Uncertainty: It is essential to identify the risks associated with various software
projects so that the project can be successfully launched within the college. The risk profile
can be understood with the help of a detailed plan by the project manager. It is also essential
3

to analyse the potential of risks in the projects along with the identification of diversifiable
risks so that necessary decisions can be taken accordingly (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017).
Project Development factors: A software project development requires consideration of all
the essential elements and resources that are associated with it. This helps the project
manager to effectively integrate them and get a reliable outcome with strong communication,
smart planning, and efficient people.
Technical Factors: The selection of a project is also based on some of the technical factors
associated with the project. For example, the appointment of technical experts, like, chief
technology officers along with other professionals is essential for the effective designing and
launching of the project. Hence, analysis of technical working conditions associated with
various projects is required to be analysed to assess the best project for Arden College
(Burke, 2013).
Financial Factors: Identification of capital resources is essential for the analysis of different
projects. Hence, a planned budget is necessary for the project implementation so that the
project manager and the team can drive their efforts towards the effective implementation of
a software project at Arden College.
Time constraints: The goal of the project must be integrated with the set time period so that
a successful outcome leads to early recovering of investments. Hence, payback periods and
future benefits of the software project must be considered by the college while selecting the
best project (Schwalbe, 2015).
On the basis of above analysis, the software project regarding the introduction of the new
database system is selected, as it will help the Arden College to get customised software
featured with integrated components and developed with technical expertise. Also, the risk
factors are also low in such project as a comparison to others.
1.3 produce a final, full software project specification for the chosen outline software project
specification
The full specification of an integrated database system for Arden College can be understood
with the following points:
4

The scale of operations: The project scope is identified to execute all the tasks effectively
under the project. The scale of the operations is identified by the project manager that helps
the Arden College to improve its data management regarding different courses, student’s
information, etc. This helps the effective management of human resources, and quality
administration procedure that supports effective monitoring and working of the college
(Ferrucci et al., 2014).
Timescale: A 12 weeks time scale is estimated to complete the project by the team. Besides,
the progress of the software implementation project is assessed by comparing it with the set
benchmark. This helps the project manager to remove the issues while developing and
designing the project.
Resources: the Project manager is required to identify the necessary resources for the project
and integrate it to get the cost-efficient outcome. The human resources, capital, electronic
devices, etc. are required as resources for the development of the database system. For
example, a technician, and an implementation team will support the accomplishment of goals
on time.
Legal rules and legislation: Laws and regulations relating to the information technology are
required to comply by the project manager and its team (Mishra and Mishra, 2013). For
example, the usage of internet, data protection law, security laws, digital and software
development related laws, etc. are the major legislation essential to be considered while the
development of the project.
Business data: The development of a database system for Arden College requires a sample
of business data of the college so that suitability of the project can be effectively analysed.
Business data relates to the different curriculum, events within and outside the college,
participation details of students, attendance, etc.
Quality: The new and integrated database system must ensure that the needs of Arden
College regarding quality outcome and effective management of data are fulfilled. Quality
relates to the easy sharing of data among different departments, real-time information, etc
(Trendowicz and Jeffery, 2014). This helps the Arden College to ensure transparency,
enhancement of managerial efficiency, and cost-efficient outcome.
5

1.4 produce a project plan for the software project
Table 2: Project plan
Activities/ week 1 2 3 4 M1 5 6 7 8 M2 9 10 11 12 M3
Context analysis
Planning and analysis completeDetermination of
issues and
requirements
Capabilities
Analysis
Data source
Analysis
Identification of
scope and
opportunities
Logical design and implementation
Selection of
design out of
alternatives
Designing
prototype
Design Creation
Mapping sample
data
Identification and
analysis of
limitations and
benefits
Completing projectAnalysing
influence on
operations
Validating
Project closure
6

Task 2
2.1 implement the chosen full software project specification using appropriate software
The College has mainly need of the database application to manage the data about the
teachers, students and courses. The institute can make use of the Microsoft Access as
database system to achieve effective data management.
The application is used to create the tables with appropriate use of the data types and field
names. Each field has specific length and format which is used to ensure high accuracy and
reliability. Microsoft access is effective to store data accurately. Also, functionality of the
forms is used to provide user interface for the easy interaction. Queries are created to support
faster execution of the routine operations and make the operations on database including
searching, update and deletion easy and secure (Harrington, 2016). Macros are used to define
routines for regular tasks and objectives with database. Besides to it, proper definition of
primary key and foreign key into tables has helped to develop the interrelationship among the
tables. The entity relationship diagram is used to define the relationship among the entities
and improve the security. Enforcement of the referential integrity is used to ensure security
and safety in deletion and update operations.
7