Application development is a process of planning, creating, testing, and deploying an information system. Often applications are developed to automate a process, build a product to address business needs, or get ahead of the competition by being
innovative. Professionalism and critical thinking supported by an ability to work independently and as part of a team are core skills for a developer.

This unit introduces students to application development. It is designed to simulate the roles and responsibilities of a commercial developer working in a suitable business environment, with access to a small team of colleagues. Initially, students are introduced to a business-related problem and will need to adopt and use appropriate methods and practices to analyze, break down, and discuss the issues – then decide, design, create, and test a possible solution. Students should be free to debate, evaluate, and select different design and development methodologies, depending on their judgment and consideration. Among the topics included in this unit are design and developer documentation; problem analysis; research, system and user requirements; design methodologies and principles; security considerations; development methodologies; software
development lifecycles; teamwork, peer reviews, development tools, and techniques; integrated development environments; debugging, testing, software versions, and quality assurance.

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to produce a software design document by analyzing a business-related problem and deducing an appropriate solution, including a set of initial requirements. They will be able to select and use design and development methodologies, with tools and techniques associated with the creation of a business application. They will also be able to work individually and as part of a team to plan, prepare, and produce a functional business application with
support documentation, and assess and plan improvements to a business application by evaluating its performance against its software design document and initial requirements. As a result, students will develop skills such as communication literacy,
critical thinking, analysis, reasoning, and interpretation, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.