Frequently Asked Questions

What is this course about? Proper requirements gathering is the cornerstone to any software development project, helping to ensure that time, budget and product parameters are successfully met. In this course, you gain the foundation knowledge and skills needed to capture software requirements using clearly defined processes. You learn to specify user and system requirements, match the process to the size of your project, and extract system and user acceptance tests from the requirements model. This course uses a reality-based style of learning that includes immersion in an authentic software requirements development process. Working in teams throughout the course, you gain authentic experience in all aspects of constructing a software requirements model. Who will benefit from this course? This course is valuable for software professionals involved in the development of software and user requirements, such as software analysts, software developers, programmers, system architects, software testers and software development managers. Software project managers, team leaders and business analysts will also benefit. What background do I need? No previous experience in user and system requirements is needed for this course. Previous experience working with UML is also not required. How does this course differ from Course 315? Course 315, Developing User Requirements: The Key to Project Success, is designed to provide managers with an essential overall knowledge of user requirements. Course 218 is intended to provide those actively involved in a project with the skills to implement requirements for software and software-based systems. Software developers, analysts, managers, programmers, and those applying requirements capturing techniques in a software development project, will benefit greatly from this course. How is this course structured? This course is structured around a dynamic style of learning created by Learning Tree called RealityPlusTM -- an immersive experience that engages you in authentic tasks within a simulated real-world context. Through media-rich case studies, role playing, and video/computer-based activities, you are immersed throughout the course in an evolving scenario where the decisions you make affect the outcome of the simulation. The RealityPlus learning method is presented in a safe environment where you gain new skills and practise the most effective techniques to bring back to your job. At the end of your course, you are prepared to immediately and successfully apply these new skills within your organisation! Does this course cover capturing requirements with use cases? Yes. Most modern software requirements methodologies are driven by use cases. In this course, use cases are a major focus, both in the course content and in the interactive, hands-on exercises. You learn how to capture, structure and refine use cases, model user interfaces and data, and generate scenarios for test cases. I am currently working on a small/large/agile software development project. Is this course right for me? Absolutely! The user and system requirements taught in this course are applicable to all size software development projects. Coverage is provided to meet the unique needs of developing requirements in an agile environment. Does the style of requirements capture used in this course apply to an object-oriented (OO) software design project? Yes. Most modern software design techniques are object-oriented based, given the dominance of OO languages currently in use. The requirements models you generate during this course lead directly to an OO design process. The techniques used in this course are also suited for maintaining and managing change to existing systems. For a more in-depth exploration of the use of OO analysis and design in the software development process, it is recommended that you take Course 323, Object-Oriented Analysis and Design Using UML: Hands-On, as a follow-on to Course 218. How much time is spent on each topic? Content Hours The importance of software requirements 3.5 Structuring your project 2.0 Capturing and refining use cases 7.0 Generating interface requirements 2.0 Data and non-functional requirements 3.5 Validating requirements and producing test scenarios 3.0 Managing changing requirements 1.0 User requirements best practices 1.0 Times, including the workshops, are estimates; exact times may vary according to the needs of each class. What type of exercises will I do in the course? Extensive hands-on and small-group, interactive activities include: Capturing stakeholder input from video scenarios that put you at the meeting table Modelling requirements with UML diagrams using a leading CASE tool Capturing, structuring and refining use cases in a realistic, simulated environment Developing screen mock-ups with an interface simulation Applying formal inspections to a use case document Producing a UML requirements data model Validating requirements using IEEE standard checklists Performing inspections on real-world use case documents Is this course approved by the IIBA? Yes. Learning Tree is an Endorsed Education Provider (EEP) by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). This course has been approved by the IIBA as supporting core concepts and knowledge outlined by IIBA's Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK®). This course also counts toward the 21 hours of professional development required to take the Certified Business Analysis ProfessionalTM (CBAPTM) exam. Is this course applicable to a Project Management Professional (PMI) certification? Yes. Although this course is not designed as preparation for the exam, it is beneficial to anyone working toward PMI's PMP certification. For those who are currently certified, completion of this course counts as 23 professional development units (60 units must be completed every three years to maintain certification). For more details, please see the Learning Tree PMI Registered Education Provider Q&A. How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses? Those interested in furthering their knowledge and skills in the software/systems design and engineering should consider: 323, Object-Oriented Analysis and Design Using UML: Hands-On is recommended as the follow-on to Course 218. This course provides practical skills in the latest OO analysis and design methods. 932, CMMI® : A Comprehensive Introduction  provides you with the knowledge and skills to apply CMMI principles and practices to meet the demands of internal and customer service requirements 322, Systems Analysis and Design: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction provides a comprehensive introduction to analysing system requirements and design software solutions using UML. 315, Developing User Requirements: The Key to Project Success introduces a comprehensive, practical process for the step-by-step definition of organisational and user requirements. 216, UML 2: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction provides the knowledge and skills to generate and interpret UML models to a wide range of activities using a variety of market-leading CASE tools. 316, Software Testing Foundation: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction presents a thorough understanding of testing and inspection approaches that can be integrated into the software life cycle. 424, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA): A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction offers a foundation in the concepts, modelling, design and implementation of SOA. 381, Business Process Re-engineering for Competitive Advantage provides a use case-driven approach that utilises proven tools and techniques for re-engineering key elements of your business. 340, Project Management for Software Development offers the tools necessary to organise and select process choices, create realistic plans, and build and manage an accomplished team through every phase of the development cycle. 211, Introduction to Business Analysis: Defining Successful Projects

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