The Master of Computer Applications (MCA) Project Guidelines as described by School of Computer and Information Sciences of IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) are as follows:
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the project is to help the student develop the ability to apply theoretical and practical tools/techniques to solve real life problems related to industry, academic institutions and research laboratories. After the completion of this project work, the student should be able to:
Describe the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
Evaluate systems requirements
Complete a problem definition.
Evaluate a problem definition.
Determine how to collect information to determine requirements.
Perform and evaluate feasibility studies like cost-benefit analysis, technical feasibility, time feasibility and Operational feasibility for the project.
Work on data collection methods for fact finding.
Construct and evaluate data flow diagrams.
Construct and evaluate data dictionaries.
Evaluate methods of process description to include structured English, decision tables and decision trees.
Evaluate alternative tools for the analysis process.
Create and evaluate such alternative graphical tools as systems flow charts and state transition diagrams.
Decide the S/W requirement specifications and H/W requirement specifications.
Plan the systems design phase of the SDLC.
Distinguish between logical and physical design requirements.
Design and evaluate system outputs.
Design and evaluate systems inputs.
Design and evaluate validity checks for input data.
Design and evaluate user interfaces for input.
Design and evaluate file structures to include the use of indexes.
Estimate storage requirements.
Explain the various file update processes based on the standard file organizations.
Decide various data structures.
Construct and evaluate entity-relationship (ER) diagrams for RDBMS related projects.
Perform normalization for the un-normalized tables for RDBMS related projects.
Decide the various processing systems to include distributed, client/server, online and others.
Perform project cost estimates using various techniques.
Schedule projects using both GANTT and PERT charts.
Perform coding for the project.
Documentation requirements and prepare and evaluate systems documentation.
Perform various systems testing techniques/strategies to include the phases of testing.
Systems implementation and its key problems.
Generate various reports.
Be able to prepare and evaluate a final report.
Brief the maintenance procedures and the role of configuration management in operations.
To decide the future scope and further enhancement of the system.
Plan for several appendices to be placed in support with the project report documentation.
Work effectively as an individual or as a team member to produce correct, efficient, well organized and documented programs in a reasonable time.
Recognize problems that are amenable to computer solutions, and knowledge of the tools necessary for solving such problems.
Develop of the ability to assess the implications of work performed.
Get good exposure and command in one or more application areas and on the software
Develop quality software using the software engineering principles.
Develop of the ability to communicate effectively.
MCA Project Guidelines IGNOU Indira Gandhi National Open University
