Download Master of Science in Software Development Exam: Software Engineering Questions and more Exams Software Engineering in PDF only on Docsity!
Cork Institute of Technology
Master of Science in Software Development - Award
(NFQ Level 9)
January 2006
Software Engineering
(Time: 2 Hours)
Answer any FOUR questions. Examiners: Mr. J. O Brien Dr. M. O h Eigeartaigh Prof. A. Moynihan
Q1. (a) Hardware “wears out”, software “wears in”. Discuss, briefly. [4 Marks]
(b) Software, like all complex systems, evolves over time. Business and product requirements often change as development proceeds. In addition, tight deadlines make completion of a comprehensive software product impossible. Evolutionary software development models enable software engineers develop increasingly more complete versions of a software system. Describe, in detail, the following evolutionary software development models: i. Incremental model; ii. Spiral model; iii. WINWIN spiral model. Support your descriptions with appropriate and clear diagrams. [21 Marks]
Q2. (a) One of the most important project management tasks is team selection. Typically, a project manager does not have free choice of staff. When deciding on who to appoint to a software project, what information should be considered by a project manager? [3 Marks]
(b) Being a member of a cohesive group is highly motivating for most individuals. Bass & Dunteman undertook a study of the issue of motivation classifying professionals into the following categories: (i) Task-oriented; (ii) Self-oriented; (iii) Interaction oriented. Write a descriptive note on each of the above-identified categories. Your answer should clearly indicate the central motivation issue for each category. You should also highlight the roles played by members of each category when involved in software development. [6 Marks]
(c) Most professional software is developed by project teams. Putting together a group/team that works effectively is a critical management task. A good team has a spirit such that the members are motivated by the success of the group as well as by their own personal goals. Write a detailed note on the following factors that influence group working: i. Group composition; ii. Group cohesion. [16 Marks]
Q3. (a) In the context of software development, describe, briefly, the activity referred to as requirements engineering, RE. [5 Marks]
(b) In the context of software development, user requirements should describe both functional and non-functional requirements of the system being developed so that they are understandable to users who do not possess detailed technical knowledge. Discuss. [10 Marks]
(c) Requirements for large software systems are always changing. Requirements management is the process of understanding and controlling changes to system requirements. Discuss both the importance of requirements management for, and the application of requirements management to, large software systems. [10 Marks]
Q4. (a) In the context of software development, what is architectural design?
