Programme Title

HCBB6/HCBB7 Higher National Diploma in Computing (General/Software Engineering)

Student Name/ID Number

Unit Number and Title

07-Software Development Lifecycles

Academic Year

2026-2027

Unit Tutor

Assignment Title

Assignment 1 of 2: Exploring Software Development Models and Feasibility Study for a Library Management System

Issue Date

14-10-2026

Submission Date

Submission Format

The submission is in the form of a written report that reviews and assesses the different software development lifecycle methodologies, and also explores and assesses the importance and impact of feasibility studies in software development projects. This should be written in a concise, formal business style using single spacing and font size 12. You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs, and subsections as appropriate, and all work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard referencing system. Students are required to submit the assignment by the due date and in a manner prescribed by the Tutor. The form of submission will be in digital format.

Note: The assignment must be your own work, and not copied by or from another student, books, or other sources. If you use ideas, quotes, or data (such as diagrams) from books, journals, or other sources, you must reference your sources using the Harvard style. Make sure that you know how to reference properly and understand the guidelines on plagiarism. AI tools used in the report should also be properly referenced. The recommended word limit is 2500-3000 words, although you will not be penalized for exceeding the total word limit. The student should include a signed document of the Statement of Authenticity along with the evidence for assessment in the Student Declaration Form.

Students can approach for formative assignment feedback on or before 27-10-2026.

Unit Learning Outcomes

LO1 Describe different software development lifecycles

LO2 Explain the importance of a feasibility study

Transferable skills and competencies developed

Computing-related cognitive skills

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to computing and computer applications
• Use such knowledge and understanding in the modelling and design of computer-based systems for the purposes of comprehension, communication, prediction and the understanding of trade-offs

Computing-related practical skills

• The ability to plan and manage projects to deliver computing systems within constraints of requirements, timescale and budget
• The ability to deploy effectively the tools used for the construction and documentation of computer applications, with particular emphasis on understanding the whole process involved in the effective deployment of computers to solve practical problems

Generic skills for employability

• Self-management: self-awareness and reflection; goal setting and action planning, independence and adaptability; acting on initiative; innovation and creativity
• Contextual awareness, e.g. the ability to understand and meet the needs of individuals, business and the community, and to understand how workplaces and organizations are governed.

Vocational scenario

You are working as a Software Analyst Intern at TechNova Solutions, a technology company specializing in software development for educational institutions and public organizations. TechNova Solutions has recently been approached by KnowledgeHub Library, a large library that wants to implement a centralized Library Management System (LMS) to improve the efficiency of its daily operations and library services.

The proposed system aims to create a comprehensive digital platform that enhances book management, membership administration, and borrowing services across the library. It will provide librarians with intuitive tools to register new books, update book details, manage member accounts, issue and return books, calculate overdue fines, and generate reports on book availability and borrowing activities. Library members will be able to search for books by title, author, category, or ISBN, check availability, reserve books, view borrowing history, and receive notifications about due dates and overdue books. The system will also support membership registration and renewal, reservation management, waiting lists, and fine payments. Administrators will be responsible for managing user accounts, assigning access permissions, maintaining system settings, and monitoring overall library operations. To ensure data security and integrity, the platform will implement secure authentication, role-based access control, regular data backups, and appropriate data protection measures. As the library expects an increase in its collection and membership, the system must be reliable, scalable, user-friendly, and capable of supporting future requirements.

Assignment activity and guidance

As a Software Analyst Intern, you are required to prepare a comprehensive report that demonstrates your understanding of software development lifecycles and the importance of feasibility studies within the context of the Library Management System project. The report should begin by describing different software development lifecycle (SDLC) models, by including two sequential models and two iterative models. You should evaluate their characteristics, advantages, and limitations, and explain how each model addresses risk management throughout the development process. Based on the requirements of the Library Management System, discuss the selection of the most appropriate SDLC model for developing the system by considering specific requirements such as book registration, book search, member management, book issuing and returning, overdue fine calculation, data security, and future expansion. You must then assess the suitability of the Waterfall lifecycle model for developing the Library Management System, considering its structured development phases, clearly defined requirements, systematic testing, and limitations when changes are required. Compare it with more adaptive SDLC models, such as Agile, in terms of accommodating librarian feedback, modifying system features, and responding to changing library requirements.

Furthermore, your report should focus on explaining the importance of conducting a feasibility study, explaining its purpose and the role it plays in ensuring project viability. You should also describe how various technical solutions can be compared to determine the most effective and efficient approach for Library Management System development, evaluating criteria such as performance, cost, security, scalability, compatibility, and maintainability. To strengthen your understanding, discuss the components of a feasibility report, breaking down essential aspects such as technical, economic, legal, operational, and scheduling feasibility , and finally assess how each of these factors may influence the success of the Library Management System.

The report should be clearly structured, professionally written, and supported with relevant examples, diagrams, comparison tables, and references to demonstrate your understanding of software development processes and decision-making in real-world library management projects.

Recommended resources

Textbooks

Dennis, A. and Haley, W. (2009) Systems Analysis and Design. John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Lejk, M. and Deeks, D. (2002) An Introduction to System Analysis Techniques. 2nd edn. Addison-Wesley.

Murch, R. (2012) The Software Development Lifecycle: A Complete Guide. Kindle.

Smart, J. F. (2014) BDD in Action: Behavior-driven development for the whole software lifecycle. Manning.

Weblinks - general:

https://edu.google.com/ (n.d.) Exploring Computational Thinking [online] Available at: https://edu.google.com/resources/programs/exploring-computational- thinking/ [Accessed 1 August 2022]

https://www.javatpoint.com/ (2021) Software Design [online]

Available at: https://www.javatpoint.com/software-engineering-software-design [Accessed 1 August 2022]

https://www.roberthalf.co.uk/(2018) 6 basic SDLC methodologies: which one is best? [online]Available at: https://www.roberthalf.co.uk/advice/industry- insights/6-basic-sdlc-methodologies-which-one-best [Accessed 1 August 2022]

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/index.htm (2022) SDLC - Quick Guide [online] Available at:https://www.tutorialspoint.com/sdlc/sdlc_quick_guide.htm [Accessed 1 August 2022]

Journal articles:

Alshamrani, A. & Bahattab, A. (2015) A Comparison Between Three SDLC Models Waterfall Model, Spiral Model, and Incremental/Iterative Model. IJCSI International Journal of ComputerScience Issues, Volume 12, Issue 1, No 1, January 2015

HN Global:

HN Global HN Global (2021) Reading Lists. Available at: https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/learning- zone/reading-lists

HN Global (2021) Student Resource Library. Available at: https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/subjects/resource- libraries

HN Global (2021) Textbooks. Available at:                                                                https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/textbooks

LO1 Describe different software development lifecycles

P1 Describe two iterative and two sequential software lifecycle models.

M1 Discuss using an example, why a particular lifecycle model is selected for a development environment.

D1 Assess the merits of applying the Waterfall lifecycle model to a large software development project.

P2 Explain how risk is managed in software lifecycle models.

LO2 Explain the importance of a feasibility study

P3 Explain the purpose of a feasibility report.

M2 Discuss the components of a feasibility report.

D2 Assess the impact of different feasibility criteria on a software investigation.

P4 Describe how technical solutions can be compared.