BCS Foundation Certificate in Systems Development

Overview

What is Systems Development? This course sets out to answer this question by providing an overview of the principles of systems development and delivery, including lifecycle approaches, architecture, business analysis, requirements engineering, systems modeling, design, development, testing, implementation and communication between the various roles involved in systems development and delivery.

This Foundation Certificate is designed for anyone involved in or affected by the development of IS/IT systems; this includes Business and Systems Analysts, Designers, Developers, Testers and others who want an understanding of the coverage of Systems Development.

At the end of the course the delegates may sit an examination to obtain the BCS Foundation Certificate in Systems Development. This qualification provides a foundation for the range of specialist BCS modular certificates in the area of Systems Development plus the higher level BCS Diploma in Solution Development. In addition, this course can be used to provide a foundation in the subject for specialists in other disciplines.

Prerequisites

• There are no formal requirements for entry to the course but it is targeted at anyone involved in or affected by the development of IS / IT systems

Photographic identification for exams and BCS reasonable adjustments policy

If you are taking a BCS exam you must bring photographic identification (passport, driving license or student card) as it is a BCS requirement to produce it for the invigilator prior to the exam. Failure to produce a valid form of photographic identification will result in a candidate not being able to sit the exam.

• The BCS also allow additional time for candidates who have a disability or whose business language is not English. Candidates can request this additonal time in line with the BCS reasonable adjustments policy. If you believe you qualify please contact our examination administration team as early as possible. At least three weeks notice will be required for processing and delegates failing to advise QA and provide proof if requested by the BCS may not be allowed the additional support offered via this BCS policy.

For any questions about what form of identification is acceptable, or for more information about the BCS reasonable adjustments policy, please contact your Account Manager or the QA Examination Administration team on 44 (0)1793 696273.

Delegates will learn how to

• Understand the scope of systems development work and its relationship to other associated disciplines
• Understand the range of systems development lifecycles
• Understand the objectives, activities and deliverables of business analysis work
• Understand the core activities of the requirements engineering approach
• Understand the purpose of producing a Business Case
• Appreciate the different programming and development approaches
• Understand the importance of systems modelling and specification techniques
• Recognise the fundamental objectives and principles of good systems design
• Recognise the importance of a well developed system architecture
• Recognise the role of quality and testing throughout the lifecycle
• Recognise the importance of careful implementation and changeover
• Recognise the need for evaluation and maintenance of systems
• Appreciate the wide range of software support tools

Course Outline.

Day One:

• Introduction to Systems Development
• Lifecycle types and their rationales
• Business Analysis
• Requirements Engineering
• Making a Business Case

Day Two:

• Programming and Development Approaches
• Systems Modelling and Specification Techniques
• Systems Design

Day Three:

• System Architecture
• Quality and Testing
• Implementation and changeover
• Evaluation and maintenance
• Software Support Tool
• Culminating in:BCS Systems Development Foundation Exam.

Exam
BCS Systems Development Foundation Exam (One hour, closed book, multiple choice, paper exam)