Business analysts, customer journey managers, solution developers, project managers and anyone who needs a thorough practical understanding of the various systems development approaches including the Agile framework. Systems Development Essentials is also a Specialist Practitioner module on the BCS (ISEB) International Diploma in Business Analysis.

This course provides an overview of the issues and concepts involved in developing quality business solutions using Agile. It’s ideal for anyone involved in any aspect of digital solution development who would like to to validate their existing skills and experience, or simply understand more about best practice in Agile systems development. 

You will study a number of systems development life cycles (both defined and evolutionary) and examine the context in which they could be applied, before focusing on an Agile approach. 

Topics covered include examining how the systems development effort can be organised; understanding requirements; stakeholders and roles in an agile environment and techniques that support iterative development such as prototyping, hothousing and scenarios. 

When combined with our Systems Modelling Techniques course, this module provides you with the core tools and techniques you’ll need to become an effective systems analyst, development team analyst or technical business analyst. 

AssistKD's Systems Development Essentials using Agile eLearning course covers a number of systems development life cycles, both defined and evolutionary, and examines the context in which different lifecycles could be applied before focusing on an Agile approach. Some of the key areas this course looks at include examining how the systems development effort can be organised, understanding requirements, stakeholders and roles in an agile environment, and considering techniques that support iterative development such as prototyping, hothousing and scenarios.

Upon completion of this course, candidates will be able to: 

1. Identify the tasks and disciplines required for systems development and deployment.
2. Describe the commonly used development lifecycles and select a particular development lifecycle based on specific scenarios.
3. Describe in detail an Agile development method based around an iterative lifecycle, including the structure of the method, key roles & responsibilities, and key activities and deliverables.
4. Interpret business requirements and produce systems requirements.
5. Describe and interpret the key models used for defining the process, static and event perspectives of a system, and explain the differences between logical and physical models.
6. Conduct a quality review of documentation representing system requirements.
7. Identify different architectures relating to systems development.
8. Explain how CASE, CAST and Application Management tools might be used to support Agile systems development. 

BCS Certificate in Systems Development Essentials

Course Content

Introduction

• Characteristics of software quality
• The purposes, objectives and tasks of systems development
• Roles and responsibilities in systems development
• Technical and interpersonal skills of the business analysts and solution developers

Systems architecture

• Enterprise, systems and infrastructure levels of architecture
• Inputs at an enterprise level
• Inputs at system and infrastructure level
• Model Driven Architecture

Development approaches

• Bespoke development
• Commercial off the shelf (COTS) software package solutions
• Configuring and customising COTS software package solutions
• Component-based systems development
• Service-based solutions and other approaches
• Evolutionary prototyping

Systems development lifecycles

• Waterfall model
• V model
• Incremental model
• Spiral (evolutionary) model
• Advantages and disadvantages of each approach
• Selection of an appropriate development approach

Methods and approaches

• Detailed study of the Agile approach including life cycle, deliverables and roles
• Iterative systems development using the DSDM Atern methodology
• Other agile development methodologies (The Unified Process (UP), Scrum, eXtreme Programming)

Modelling techniques

• Models of the Unified Modeling Language (UML)
• Interpretation and principles of:
  • Use case diagram
  • Use case description
  • Class diagram
  • State machine diagram
• Validating models using a CRUD matrix

Requirements in an Agile environment

• Fact finding approaches:
  • Workshops
  • Interviewing
  • Questionnaires
  • Scenario analysis, storyboarding, user stories and hot-housing
  • Model office and focus groups
• Functional requirements definition
• Non-functional requirements definition
• Documenting & prioritising requirements
• Human aspects of systems investigation and introducing change

Iterative systems development

• Features of iterative development approach
• Prototyping
• Categories of prototype
• Timeboxing
• Prototype development plans

Systems design, implementation and maintenance

• Design principles and constraints (legal, ethical, financial)
• Systems deployment and hand over
• Post-implementation reviews
• Different types of maintenance
• Estimation and development planning

Quality assurance

• Definitions of software quality
• The V model
• Requirements-driven testing
• Static testing: types of walkthrough and inspection
• Post-project reviews

CASE and CAST tools

• Features of Computer-aided Software Engineering (CASE) and Computer-aided Software Testing tools (CAST)
• Life-cycle coverage
• Requirements traceability
• Advantages and disadvantages of software development support tools

©Assist Knowledge Development Ltd.

Here's a quick guide to the topics covered on each day of the course.

For virtual courses a printed copy of the latest edition of the comprehensive course manual will be sent to your home address in good time for the start of your course. Our delegates tell us that having access to a physical document is beneficial as both a reference document and for taking notes during the course. In addition, a link will be emailed to you to enable you to access an electronic copy of the same comprehensive manual for convenient future reference.

Yes. During this three day course you’ll receive all the training you need to prepare for the BCS Systems Development Essentials exam. A pass will contribute (as a Specialist Practitioner module) towards the BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis.

For delegates attending a classroom, virtual or eLearning course, the exam is a written, scenario based exam, and is to be taken online from your home or office using our remote proctored service, TestReach. You have 90 minutes to complete the exam and the pass mark is 25/50.

If this course is part of your BCS Diploma in Business Analysis programme you have a choice of further modules which include the core BA Diploma modules, Business Analysis Practice and Requirements Engineering. Candidates who have already completed Systems Development Essentials also need to pass one of the Foundation Specialisms; in Business Analysis, IS Project Management, Business Change or Commercial Awareness. The structure of the certification is shown here.

If this course is part of your BCS Diploma in Business Analysis programme you have a choice of further modules which include the Core BA Diploma modules, Business Analysis Practice and Requirements Engineering. Candidates who have already completed Systems Development Essentials also need to pass one of the Foundation Specialisms; in Business Analysis, IS Project Management, Business Change or Commercial Awareness. The structure of the certification is shown here.

This course was written by our team of training consultants, who bring their substantial experience of business analysis projects to the programme.

Watch the video below to find out more about our eLearning.

Do you have a question about our eLearning courses? Check out our FAQs section…

How do AssistKD’s virtual classroom courses work?

AssistKD’s virtual courses are conducted live and online in a ‘virtual’ classroom space via Microsoft Teams. 
On each day of the course, we ask delegates to log on in time for a 9am start. The courses end at 4.30pm. An hour is ring-fenced for lunch, but timings can vary.

Designed to be interactive, responsive and engaging, our virtual (live) courses are led by trainers who are experts in their fields, with real-life industry experience. 
The benefit of the virtual classroom is that delegates enjoy all the benefits of ‘in-real-time' training, but with no travel requirements or overnight stays. 

Regular comfort breaks, team exercises and break-out sessions keep delegates focused and reinforce learning. 
The courses allow learners to develop their professional toolkits.

Can you attend virtual classroom courses from outside the UK?

Yes, however you will be issued with a digital course manual in advance of the course, not a printed manual. 

When will I receive my joining instructions?

You will receive joining instructions two weeks before the start of your course. One week before the course you will receive detailed instructions on how to log on.

I am concerned about logging on, is there support available?

If you have concerns about logging on and your technology, it is best to address these prior to the day of the course. We can offer you a test call at a time that suits you. To request this please contact support@assistkd.com

I have additional needs, can they be accommodated?

Please provide us with full details of any additional needs in advance of the course so that we can work with you to accommodate them. Please contact enquiries@assistkd.com

When will I receive my course manual?

You will receive your course manual, in both printed and digital form, two weeks before the start of your course.

Can you accommodate a last-minute booking?

Yes, provided there is availability.

Do you offer discounted prices if I am taking more than one course?

Yes, please contact enquires@assistkd.com

What happens if I need to reschedule, do I have to pay twice?

If you need to reschedule, to avoid a cancellation fee please give 10 working days’ notice by contacting enquiries@assistkd.com.

Do the courses run on consecutive days?

Yes. Courses which last for more than one day are delivered on consecutive days from the start date indicated. These are on working days, during Monday to Friday.

Do you offer courses over the weekend?

Our virtual (live) classroom and face-to-face classroom courses run from Monday to Friday only.

Is the exam taken during the actual course?

No. The exam can be taken on a date and time of your choice. You will be provided with exam registration details before the start of your course. We recommend that you take the exam within two weeks of the end of your course, while the knowledge is fresh.

When will I receive my exam results and certificate?

Exams will be taken online you will find out your result immediately on completion. Then, approximately two weeks after the exam this will be confirmed via the BCS portal and you can print out your certificate. 

Is the exam included with the eLearning subscriptions?

All BCS and A4Q eLearning exams can be taken online via remote proctoring, giving you complete flexibility to sit your exam from any suitable location. If you choose the Core or Extra option, your exam voucher is already included, making it simple to progress toward certification.

Can I buy now and start later?

Absolutely. Your course is added to your account right after purchase, but you choose when to activate your subscription - ideal for planning around work or personal commitments. When you are ready to begin learning, you simply log in to your account and click 'Activate' next to the course name.

Have more questions? Check out our full FAQs here or contact us directly.