Mobile Lending Library: Agile Development Project Report & Analysis

This report details the development of a mobile lending library mobile application for a non-profit organization using the Agile methodology and DSDM Atern principles. The project aims to address the limitations of the current paper-based system and expand the library's reach to a wider customer base. The report outlines the business context, chosen development methodology, and the eight principles of DSDM Atern. It includes person specifications for key roles like mobile application developer, database designer, tester, and quality analyst, along with a discussion of the business sponsor's role and identification of a suitable candidate. The report also features an annotated diagram illustrating team member involvement, a detailed project plan with task durations, dependencies, and resource allocation, and a Project Approach Questionnaire assessing the project's alignment with the DSDM framework. The project's goal is to deliver a functional mobile application that enhances the library's services and accessibility.

Running head: MOBILE LENDING LIBRARY
Unit: Agile Development
Assignment title: Mobile Lending Library
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:

1MOBILE LENDING LIBRARY
Table of Contents
Task 1 – Development Methodology..............................................................................................2
1.1 Business context....................................................................................................................2
1.2 Chosen development methodology........................................................................................2
1.3 Eight principles of DSDM Atern...........................................................................................3
Task 2 – Person Specifications........................................................................................................4
Task 3 – Role of Business Sponsor.................................................................................................6
3.1 Role of the Business Sponsor................................................................................................6
3.2 Identification of suitable candidate for the Business Sponsor role........................................6
3.3 Reasons for not selecting the other three people...................................................................7
Task 4 - Annotated Diagram............................................................................................................8
Task 5 – Project Plan.......................................................................................................................8
Project Approach Questionnaire....................................................................................................10
References......................................................................................................................................13

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Task 1 – Development Methodology
1.1 Business context
Mobile Lending Library (MLL) is a small non-profit business that provides mobile
library service in rural areas, towns and villages in which there is no permanent library. The
customer base of this business is basically elderly people that are less adapted to technology. The
business have decided to reach the clients beyond their existing customer base. The current
inventory has not been added to the database and it is being maintained using A4 paper ledger.
Hence, it becomes difficult to track the items that are being borrowed and by which person.
Therefore, MLL has decide to develop an application for overcoming the issues.
1.2 Chosen development methodology
Agile methodology has been chosen as the development methodology for developing the
mobile application. The chosen methodology is a lightweight process of software development
that incorporates iterative cycles and ensures success of an IT project. It involves the users for
establishing, prioritizing and verifying the requirements (Abrahamsson et al. 2017). In this
methodology, the project is carried out by relying on the knowledge and expertise of a team
rather than focusing on documentation. In traditional development methodologies, there are
issues such as lack of input from users and change or incomplete requirements that may cause
delay or even failure of projects. The Agile methodology increases the chances of delivering
successful projects. The traditional methods focuses and invests a large amount of time in
designing, capturing and documentation of requirements while agile method is oriented towards
people and is adaptive (Gill 2018). The traditional methods focuses on managing changes in
requirement and project scope against the plan rather than delivering product that satisfies the

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client. However, agile method considers the changes and allows the project to implement those
changes as and when requested by the client.
1.3 Eight principles of DSDM Atern
The eight principles of DSDM Atern along with their application in context to the project
are listed as below:
Focus on the business need – This principle reflects that the decisions being taken in the
mobile app development project must be in line with the project goal and business needs of
MLL.
Deliver on time: There is a need to focus on the time required for development of the
mobile application so that it can be delivered to MLL on time.
Collaborate: There should be active cooperation and collaboration between the members
that will be working on the project (Carroll and Morris 2015).
Never compromise quality: The quality of the product to be delivered should be
approved from stakeholders and the project should be executed according to that specifications
only.
Build incrementally from firm foundations: This principle reflects that a prototype of
the mobile application can be delivered to MLL before estimated delivery date so that they can
provide feedback on the deliverable.
Develop iteratively: The project must be conducted using iterative development for
delivering the right outcome to MLL.

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Communicate continuously and clearly: This principle can be implemented for
improvement in communication of team members as well as individuals associated with the
project (Ahmad, Soomro and Brohi 2014).
Demonstrate control: The monitoring and controlling of progress of the project have to
be evaluated in context to the project goals, objectives and specifically the business needs.
Task 2 – Person Specifications
The four hypothetical people that will be recruited for the MLL mobile application
development project are listed as below:
Person 1 – Mobile Application Developer
Skills
 Proficient in problem solving
 Positive attitude towards learning
 Fair knowledge in proper naming of variables (Company and UK 2014)
 Strong foundation in various technological areas
Experience: This person should have at least five years of experience working in this
particular field then only he/she will be able to clearly understand requirements of the client.
Weight of Contribution: This person will be involved as full time employee during the
entire project until delivery of the product.
Person 2 – Database Designer
Skills

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 Fair knowledge of data modelling and database design
 Proficiency in object oriented analysis and design techniques
 Proficient in application of queries (TestingWhiz 2018)
Experience: This person should have minimum three years of experience in this field so
as to facilitate accurate design of the required database.
Weight of Contribution: This person will be employed on a task based contract. This
person will be accountable throughout the process of database design and integrating it with the
mobile application.
Person 3 – Tester
Skills
 Must be rational, analytical as well as logical
 Identification of errors and understanding complexities
 Knowledge of latest testing tool and techniques (TestingWhiz 2018).
 Planning for testing and documentation
Experience: This person must have at least 10 years of working experience in this field.
Weight of Contribution: This person will employed as full time employee to complete
the project.
Person 4 – Quality Analyst
Skills
 Technical skills and knowledge in programming languages
 Analytical and accurate communication skills

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 Able to work individually as well as in a team
 Development of standards and procedures for determining product quality (The
Balance 2018)
Experience: This person should possess a minimum of seven years of experience
working in an industrial environment or major projects.
Weight of Contribution: This person will be employed on a task based contract until
delivery of the product.
Task 3 – Role of Business Sponsor
3.1 Role of the Business Sponsor
Business sponsor is the person of an organization who is responsible for directing the
project in right direction so that it is successful in achieving the desired outcomes. The Business
sponsor is also involved with financing for project initiatives as well as approves the ideas in
context to project. The Business sponsor plays a major role in developing the project charter,
defining the initial scope of project along with taking part in the communication management
process (Philrichardson.co.uk. 2018). This person has high influence in a project for strategic
planning, determining feasibility of a project and implementing the project objectives
successfully. Business sponsor also undertakes the responsibilities as well as activities related to
financial and organizational aspects for providing quick decisions for the project. Finally, this
person is also associated with evaluation of the project upon completion in context to the defined
requirements.

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3.2 Identification of suitable candidate for the Business Sponsor role
The suitable candidate as identified from the given attributes of the personnel’s
associated with MLL is Moira Glendinning. This person is suitable for the role of Business
Sponsor as she will be able to provide guidance and direction for empowerment of the project
with her ability of decision making. This person has been working as CEO of the business and
hence she will be able to successfully develop strategic planning for the project to implement the
project objectives in a successful manner. Moira Glendinning has also experience in activities
related to financial and organizational aspects from her involvement with the business. She will
be able to authorize required resources and provide decisions in terms of financial aspects or
cash flows required for the project.
3.3 Reasons for not selecting the other three people
Bob Brodie
 This person works on a voluntary basis for two days per week which means that
he has less involvement with the business.
 This person has only driving skills and there is no other professional skills.
Bridget Gilchrist
 This person works for MLL on a voluntary basis that means she is less involved
with the business and works only to stay busy in her retirement.
 She is also associated with other interests like childcare and writing a fictional
novel which means she is less interested in the business.
Angus Welsh
 This person has experience only in handling of accounts and payroll.

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 This person has fair technological knowledge but not aware of the business
aspects.
Task 4 - Annotated Diagram
Figure 1: Annotated diagram to show involvement of each member
(Source: Created by Author)
Task 5 – Project Plan
Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors Resource Names
MLL Mobile
Application
Development
37 days Thu 25-
01-18
Fri 16-
03-18
Sprint #1 2 wks Thu 25-
01-18
Wed 07-
02-18
Business Sponsor, Mobile
application developer
Sprint #2 2 wks Thu 08-
02-18
Wed 21-
02-18 1 Database designer, Quality
Analyst
Feature #1 16 hrs Thu 25-
01-18
Fri 26-
01-18 1SS Business Sponsor, Mobile
application developer
Feature #2 64 hrs Mon 29- Wed 07- 3 Database designer, Mobile

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01-18 02-18 application developer
Feature #3 24 hrs Thu 22-
02-18
Mon 26-
02-18 2 Mobile application developer,
Quality Analyst
Feature #4 56 hrs Tue 30-
01-18
Wed 07-
02-18 3 Business Sponsor, Mobile
application developer
Feature #5 32 hrs Thu 22-
02-18
Tue 27-
02-18 6 Mobile application developer,
Tester
Feature #6 40 hrs Wed 28-
02-18
Tue 06-
03-18 7 Mobile application developer,
Quality Analyst
Feature #7 16 hrs Wed 07-
03-18
Thu 08-
03-18 8 Database designer, Tester
Feature #8 48 hrs Fri 09-
03-18
Fri 16-
03-18 9 Business Sponsor, Mobile
application developer
Feature #9 8 hrs Thu 15-
02-18
Thu 15-
02-18 3,15 Database designer
Feature #10 32 hrs Fri 16-
02-18
Wed 21-
02-18 11 Quality Analyst, Tester
Feature #11 40 hrs Thu 22-
02-18
Wed 28-
02-18 12,16 Business Sponsor, Quality
Analyst
Feature #12 12 days Thu 01-
03-18
Fri 16-
03-18 13 Business
Sponsor[50%],User[50%]
Sprint #3 1 wk Thu 08-
02-18
Wed 14-
02-18 4 Tester
Sprint #4 2 wks Thu 08-
02-18
Wed 21-
02-18 6 Quality Analyst

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Figure 2: Gantt chart for the project
(Source: Created by Author)
Project Approach Questionnaire
DSDM Project Approach Questionnaire
(PAQ)
Collective Opinion
Ref Statement Strongly
Agree
Agree Neutral Disagre
e
Strongly
Disagree
1 All members of the project understand and
accept the DSDM approach (Philosophy,
Principles and Practices)

2 The Business Sponsor and the Business
Visionary demonstrate clear and proactive
ownership of the project.

3 The business vision driving the project is
clearly stated and understood by all
members of the project team


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4 All project participants understand and
accept that on-time delivery of an
acceptable solution is the primary measure
of success for the project

5 The requirements can be prioritized and
there is confidence that cost and time
commitments can be met by flexing the
scope of what's delivered.

6 All members of the project team accept that
requirements should only be defined at a
high level in the early phases of the project
and that detail will emerge as development
progresses.

7 All members of the project team accept that
change in requirements is inevitable and
that it is only by embracing change that the
right solution will be delivered.

8 The Business Sponsor and Business
Visionary understand that active business
involvement is essential and have the
willingness and authority to commit
appropriate business resources to the
project.

9 It is possible for the business and solution
development members of the Solution
Development Team to work collaboratively
throughout the project.

10 Empowerment of all members of the
Solution Development Team is appropriate
and sufficient to support the day-to-day
decision-making needed to rapidly evolve


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the solution in short, focused Timeboxes
11 The DSDM roles and responsibilities are
appropriately allocated and all role holders
understand and accept the responsibilities
associated with their role.

12 The Solution Development team has the
appropriate collective knowledge and skills
(soft skills and technical skills) to
collaboratively evolve an optimal business
solution.

13 Solution Development Team members are
allocated to the project at an appropriate
and consistent level sufficient to fully
support the DSDM timeboxing practice

14 Tools and collaborative working practices
within the Solution Development Team are
sufficient to allow effective Iterative
Development of the solution.

15 All necessary review and testing activity is
fully integrated within the Iterative
Development practice.

16 Project progress is measured primarily
through the incremental, demonstrable
delivery of business value.
17 There are no mandatory standards or other
constraints in place that will prevent the
application of the DSDM Philosophy and
Practices on this project.

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