Unit:

Agile Development
Assignment title:
Running Club
September 2018

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. However, certain
responses should be expected from the submission.

The report should outline the 8 principles of DSDM Atern and how 16
they will be applied to the project. Award up to 2 marks for applying
each principle to the brief.

The nature of application development is highly iterative and 4

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 RRR 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
RRR who can then input into the discussions.
 Agile development uses prototyping so users and clients
can test early versions of the application and database, 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.

A further five marks is available for a discussion on how the 5

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 2018
Task Guide Maximum
Marks
For example, RRR are very keen to get client input into the design
of the application to ensure it is suitable for their needs and easy to
use given their lack of computer skills and the potential
accessibility issues of some users.

The discussion of user input and feedback should mention this and
discuss the importance of including the target demographic (a wide
range of individuals including those with accessibility issues and
those with little experience of using computers) in the testing and
feedback process throughout the entire project in order to ensure
that the app is as appealing to them as possible. The Agile
Development method makes this much easier to do that using a
traditional Waterfall methodology where user involvement is much
more limited. 25
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 application/ website development role
 a database developer role
 a social media expert role
 a user centred design role
 a project manager role
 a Workshop Facilitator role

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

level of experience would need to be at least one successful
previous project for each role, but more could be asked for. The
user-centred design role would require good people skills as well
as design skills, whereas the database developer would just need
experience in database development as the database will not be
seen by customers. The weight of contribution would vary
depending on the role. The web 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. A Workshop Facilitator would have an intermittent role. 12
3 The answer to this should explain the role of the Business
Ambassador and how it fits into the team. This may include some
of the following:
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Task Guide Maximum
Marks
 The Business Ambassador is the most senior project level
business role
 The Business Ambassador is the project champion who is
committed to the project, the proposed solution and the
approach to delivering it
 The Business Ambassador is responsible for the Business
Case throughout and will own the solution once delivered
and be responsible for the realisation of any benefits
associated with it.
 The Business Ambassador must hold a sufficiently senior
position in the organisation to be able to resolve business
issues.
 The Business Ambassador must be committed and
available for the duration of the project
 The Business Ambassador is responsible for ensuring that
funds and other resources are made available as needed
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

 Jenny McConnachie

Award 2 marks for identification of a suitable person

Explain why the other three candidates would not be suitable for
the Business Ambassador role.
 Bill Coin works full time for another organisation and would
struggle to be available on a regular basis for the duration of
the project.
 Bill Coin has no experience of using social media sites and
therefore may not have sufficient experience or
expectations of what the project could or should offer club
members once completed.
 Marcin Grabowska has too many other constraints on his
time with his councillor duties and other committee duties.
 Marcin Grabowska’s role as a local councillor may pose a
conflict of interest.
 Emily Tyrell works full time for another organisation and
would struggle to be available on a regular basis for the
duration of the project.
 Emily Tyrell is often away on business for her main
employer and could not be expected, as a volunteer, to
contribute to the project remotely for long durations whilst
away on business.

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 Ratho Road Runners committee and
members 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)

The diagram should cover all four stages. The stages should be in 5
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 5
development cycle. The project plan should include at least one
timebox for each stage (preferably more), with several timeboxes

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Task Guide Maximum
Marks
in the Evolve phase. Award 5 marks for the number of sprints and
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 2018