[Year 12 SofDev] Analysis: Scope vs requirements

Wed Sep 19 14:36:17 EST 2012

Very late joining in on this one but worth noting the study design on page 17:
"Determining the scope of the solution. What can the solution do? What can't the solution do? What
are the benefits of the solution to the user? The scope states the boundaries or parameters of the
solution. Benefits can be stated in terms of their efficiency and effectiveness."

I guess don't forget to include the efficiency and effectiveness benefits in the scope. The study design has spoken :-)

I certainly agree that explaining the difference between functional requirements and what's included in the scope of a project is difficult. I have tended to think of scope as how far you can push a solution. Eg Requirements of Mars Rover Curiosity might be to take samples of the "earth" (or should it be "mars"?) but the scope may be that it can take sand samples but not super solid rock as this would require a jack hammer.

Happy Holidays to all!

Heath Matheson
Snowsports and ICT Coordinator
Mount Beauty Secondary College

-----Original Message-----
From: sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Esther Andrews
Sent: Wednesday, 29 August 2012 3:53 PM
To: Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Year 12 SofDev] Analysis: Scope vs requirements

I like to relate scope to the context diagram - they both define the system boundary.
The functional requirements relate to the DFDs.

For example consider an alumni website.
You might decide that the scope allowed people to view information only. The functional requirements would include things such as searching, sorting, various forms or reports to display. You could specify that the ability to edit the information online was outside scope because once again that implies many more functional requirements such as authentication and validation which you could not implement given the constraints (time, cost, expertise).

-----Original Message-----
From: sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Mark KELLY
Sent: Wednesday, 29 August 2012 12:57 PM
To: Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Year 12 SofDev] Analysis: Scope vs requirements

Thanks, Esther. What would the scope actually look like, in contrast to the requirements?

On 29 August 2012 11:18, Esther Andrews <ANDREWS.Esther at bssc.edu.au> wrote:
> In practice, I would determine the scope first. Then in discussions about specific requirements with clients we can focus on those that are within scope and if they start deviating (a threat of scope creep) I can say "Ah, but that is outside of the scope. Perhaps we can document that for a later phase of development".
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au
> [mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of John Bellavance
> Sent: Wednesday, 29 August 2012 10:59 AM
> To: Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Year 12 SofDev] Analysis: Scope vs requirements
>
> Hi Mark,
>
> I have struggled with this as well. Once you have determine the requirements I suppose you can determine the scope by repenting what the solution will do and then add what it will not do in the context of the case study. But what a solution will not do can be a very long list!
>
> John Bellavance
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au
> [mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Mark KELLY
> Sent: Wednesday, 29 August 2012 10:53 AM
> To: Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: [Year 12 SofDev] Analysis: Scope vs requirements
>
> Hi all. During analysis, the 3 activities mandated by the study design's definition of the PSM are determining: scope, requirements & constraints.
>
> I have been wondering for a while: doesn't determining requirements also define scope?
>
> If they are different, how?
>
> How do you good folk explain the difference to your kids when they ask (as one of mine did the other day, which meant I had to point dramatically into the air and then run away while he was distracted) ?
>
> --
> Mark Kelly
> Manager of ICT, Reporting, IT Learning Area McKinnon Secondary College McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia Direct line / Voicemail:
> +613 8520 9085, Fax +613 9578 9253 kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au << use
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--
Mark Kelly
Manager of ICT, Reporting, IT Learning Area McKinnon Secondary College McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia Direct line / Voicemail: +613 8520 9085, Fax +613 9578 9253 kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au << use this, not Edumail please!
VCE IT Lecture Notes: http://vceit.com
Moderator: IT Applications Edulist
--
Your word for today:  A tittle is the dot on the letter "i"

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http://www.vitta.org.au  - VITTA Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Inc http://www.swinburne.edu.au/ict/schools - Swinburne University

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