BCS Foundation Certificate in Digital Solution Development Syllabus Detailed Guidance Version 1.0 November 2020 This qualification is not regulated by the following United Kingdom Regulators - Ofqual, Qualification in Wales, CCEA or SQA Copyright © BCS 2020 Page 1 of 113 BCS Foundation Certificate in Digital Solution Development Syllabus V1.0 November 2020 Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 4 Syllabus Detailed Guidance ............................................................................................... 4 Abbreviations ................................................................................................................. 108 Copyright © BCS 2020 Page 2 of 113 BCS Foundation Certificate in Digital Solution Development Syllabus V1.0 November 2020 Change History Any changes made to the syllabus shall be clearly documented with a change history log. This shall include the latest version number, date of the amendment and changes made. The purpose is to identify quickly what changes have been made. Version Number Changes Made and Date V1.0 1st Issue Nov 2020 Copyright © BCS 2020 Page 3 of 113 BCS Foundation Certificate in Digital Solution Development Syllabus V1.0 November 2020 Introduction The aim of this document is to provide additional guidance to students and training providers around the content of the syllabus for the BCS Foundation Certificate in Digital Solutions Development. The information contained in this document may form the basis of examination questions. Syllabus Detailed Guidance 1. The context for digital solution development (10%) The aim of this section is to ensure that candidates have a solid understanding of the context in which Digital Solutions Development (DSD) takes place, especially the place of DSD among the general business change and transformation activities of a modern enterprise. The syllabus focusses on the development of applications software that is acquired by the enterprise for its own use or for the use of its Customers, or other stakeholders. It does not therefore cover software that is developed for sale commercially. 1.1. Define the terms digital service and digital solution and recognise some common characteristics of modern digital solutions. 1.1.1. A digital service refers to the electronic delivery of information, including text and multi-media content, across multiple platforms and devices, such as web, desktop or mobile. The service is provided by an enterprise, or contracted for use by the enterprise, as part of the solution to one or more business problems. A digital solution refers to the technical means of delivering a digital service, using information technology, which relies on computer and telecommunications technologies in a modern context. 1.1.2. Candidates are expected to understand that software is simply the idea of having the means to generate instructions to drive computer and peripheral hardware. Therefore, candidates will appreciate that applications software is one of many possible forms of software, including: - Application software: focussed on solving a specific business problem, via its support for a digital service. Often simply called an ‘app’. Examples include support for mundane, routine tasks like Payroll as well as more innovative tasks involving an Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiative, or the exploitation of Big Data. - Systems software: software to support the execution of applications, like operating systems, database management systems and communications. - Embedded software: Internet of Things (IoT), software embedded in machines, robotics. - Gaming: software allowing users to play 2D and 3D games, single and/or multi- user. Copyright © BCS 2020 Page 4 of 113 BCS Foundation Certificate in Digital Solution Development Syllabus V1.0 November 2020 - Virtual reality: software that creates the illusion of a 3D real-world experience. Candidates should appreciate however that these different forms of software are converging, and already overlap in today’s business world. 1.1.3. A major component in a digital solution is applications software, and it is the development of such software which is the focus of this syllabus. For the purpose of the syllabus one can think of applications software as the software that is written specifically to deliver one or more digital services. The particular focus of the syllabus is on enterprise applications software which is generally data intensive and highly interactive. Such applications are often multi-user and increasingly public facing. These common characteristics form the basis on which the topics in the syllabus have been chosen. Candidates will appreciate that the word ‘enterprise’ is bundled with ‘applications software’ to convey the idea that DSD generally takes place under the sponsorship and governance of a social organisation of some kind, typically a legal entity or a Line of Business within a legal entity. The enterprise aspect of DSD influences the choice of topics in the syllabus too. 1.2. Explain the factors that influence investment in digital solution development 1.2.1. Candidates will be able to define strategy as an enterprise’s ‘plan for success’ over the longer term, in view of the mission and essential purpose of the enterprise. Candidates will be able to explain that strategy is influenced by external and internal drivers. A ‘driver’ is some issue of significance that the enterprise needs to deal with: - Examples of external drivers are legislation and technology innovations. - Examples of internal drivers are process inefficiencies and data quality issues. 1.2.2. Candidates will appreciate that the desire to implement strategy, and thus tackle these drivers, leads the enterprise to research and commission programmes and projects of change. The generic activities involved in business change are described by the Business Change Lifecycle [1]. Note: the details of the Business Change Lifecycle are out of scope for this syllabus. 1.2.3. Candidates will understand that Digital transformation is typically one of the workflows or work streams contemplated within a programme of change. It is therefore quite common for new or enhanced applications software to be seen as part of the solution to business problems. Candidates will be able to explain that contemporary thinking concerning business change, as codified for example in the Business Analysis body of knowledge [1][7], emphasises the complex nature of bringing about change in enterprises and expects change analysts to take a holistic view of all the elements and options available for solving business problems. Some problems, for example, may be solvable without investing in DSD, at least temporarily, and some problems are simply not solvable by using software at all. Even if software development is Copyright © BCS 2020 Page 5 of 113 BCS Foundation Certificate in Digital Solution Development Syllabus V1.0 November 2020 required, it will usually need to fit into a wider set of changes, including, for example, changes to business processes and the organisation of people. 1.3. Describe the scope of digital solution development 1.3.1. Candidates will be able to recognise and describe the phases of a generic Digital Service Lifecycle, as follows: - Plan: this phase includes the recognition that a digital service is required, and the decision to make the service part of the enterprise’s service portfolio. - Develop: this phase covers the development of the service, getting all the required elements ready. - Transition: this phase covers the release and deployment of the service, so as to make it available to users who wish to subscribe. - Operate: includes signing up service subscribers and delivering the service to them. - Optimise: includes measuring the service performance, dealing with feedback and investing in continuous improvement. - Retire: covers withdrawing the service. Candidates will appreciate that DSD, and hence this syllabus, is focussed mainly on topics in the knowledge area underpinning the Develop and Transition phases of this lifecycle. The syllabus however does include links to other parts of the service lifecycle, where appropriate. 1.3.2. Candidates will understand that the success of investing in DSD is more assured, with the outcome likely to be more suitable, if DSD is conducted with reference to a recognised System Development Lifecycle (SDLC). Candidates will be able to explain that an SDLC is a framework, not a prescriptive method, and be able to justify the use of a framework. The SDLC framework chosen by the enterprise defines the scope of DSD and brings together in one place knowledge that supports DSD. It provides: - Definition of relevant processes and activities. - Definition of roles and responsibilities. Identification of relevant disciplines within DSD. - A set of suggested deliverables and artefacts. - Tried and tested tools, techniques and good/best practices that have proved their worth under real conditions, over time. Current examples of SDLC frameworks include SAFe [2] and DSDM [3]. Both of these rely on a combination of waterfall and Agile practices. 1.3.3 Identify the main parameters governing the approach to Digital Solution Development, using an SDLC, based on the following models: Copyright © BCS 2020 Page 6 of 113 BCS Foundation Certificate in Digital Solution Development Syllabus V1.0 November 2020 1.3.3.1 Contingency Approach Candidates should appreciate that, when setting