test

1. Agile Development
3 September 2014
Examination Paper
Answer ALL questions.
Clearly cross out surplus answers.
Any reference material brought into the examination room must be
handed to the invigilator before the start of the examination.
Time: 3 hours

2. Page 2 of 5
Agile Development September 2014 Final © NCC Education Ltd 2014
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1
Marks
a) Describe the TWO (2) main objectives of the DSDM Atern philosophy. 2
b) There are many requirements for key stakeholders in a DSDM Atern project. These
assist in meeting the DSDM philosophy. Briefly describe FIVE (5) stakeholder
requirements.
5
c) Identify THREE (3) reasons why DSDM Atern delivers the right business solution. 3
Total 10 Marks
QUESTION 2
a) Quality control is an important part of the DSDM Atern principle ‘Never compromise
quality.’ Explain what is meant by the term quality control.
2
b) Identify the key areas that are focused on during a DSDM Atern quality audit. 8
Total 10 Marks
QUESTION 3
a) Produce a diagrammatic representation of where in the DSDM Atern lifecycle various
levels of model are likely to be produced.
6
b) Describe FOUR (4) principles relating to the use of models in DSDM Atern to ensure
they are used effectively.
4
Total 10 Marks
Questions continue on the following page

3. Page 3 of 5
Agile Development September 2014 Final © NCC Education Ltd 2014
QUESTION 4 Marks
a) Describe the purpose and TWO (2) objectives of the Engineering phase of the DSDM
Atern lifecycle.
3
b) Describe THREE (3) pre-conditions which must be met before advancing to the
Engineering phase of the life cycle.
3
c) The Engineering development cycles each consist of four stages which make up a
development cycle. List these FOUR (4) stages.
4
Total 10 Marks
QUESTION 5
a) Explain if DSDM Atern could be used to develop the project outlined below. Clearly
state your reasons.
Starspun Jewellery Ltd has expanded from a small company selling products at school
fetes and through the e-commerce website Etsy, to a national business selling their
bespoke jewellery to over 100 independent jewellers and a handful of large retailers
across the UK. Staff are loyal and the founding members of staff are all still with the
company, mainly because they feel valued and are often involved in any appropriate
decision making process. Unfortunately, the administrative systems cannot cope with
the expanding needs of the business. Recently particular problems have occurred with
respect to predicting demand for the various jewellery designs, fulfilling orders, incorrect
deliveries, and invoicing. The Managing Director wants a complete new system in place
in four months. She is prepared to commit time and effort to ensure a successful
outcome and has stated that some requirements for the new system are more important
than others.
5
b) Describe the role of Business Advisor, and identify FOUR (4) responsibilities of the
Business Advisor role within the Solution Development Team
5
Total 10 MarksJ
Questions continue on the following page

4. Page 4 of 5
Agile Development September 2014 Final © NCC Education Ltd 2014
Marks
QUESTION 6
a) What is the purpose of a Prioritised Requirements List and during which Lifecycle
phase is it created?
4
b) Requirements go through the FOUR (4) lifecycle stages. Provide a brief overview of
each stage.
i. Elicitation 1
ii. Analysis 1
iii. Validation 1
iv. Management 1
c) Explain the difference between Could-Have and Won’t-Have Requirements 2
Total 10 Marks
QUESTION 7
a) Describe the DSDM Atern principle “Demonstrate Control”, and explain the importance
of applying this principle if a project is to be successful.
6
b) List FOUR (4) of the DSDM Instrumental Success Factors. 4
Total 10 Marks
QUESTION 8
During the Exploration phases, the Solution Development Team needs to decide the
overall approach to the development and delivery of the solution. This information
becomes part of the delivery plan. Describe each of the three approaches below:
i. Vertical 3
ii. Horizontal 3
iii. Combined 4
Total 10 Marks
Questions continue on the following page

5. Page 5 of 5
Agile Development September 2014 Final © NCC Education Ltd 2014
Marks
QUESTION 9
Estimates are a forecast of how much a requirement or objective is likely to cost in
terms of money and person hours, and the skills required to fulfil the requirement or
objective. Estimating is an essential part of DSDM Atern to help keep projects on
schedule to meet their deliverables.
a) Estimating is an important technique in DSDM Atern. Briefly describe FIVE (5) factors
affecting an estimate.
5
b) There are several different approaches to estimating. Describe the following methods,
and explain when their use would be relevant.
i. Task-based estimating
ii. Product based
3
2
Total 10 Marks
QUESTION 10
a) All projects face risks. Briefly describe TWO (2) potential risks to the success of a
DSDM Atern project.
4
b) One technique used to monitor projects is the use of Daily Stand-Up meetings.
Describe the rationale for holding Daily Stand-Up Meetings, and explain what format
they should take.
6
Total 10 Marks
End of Examination Paper