Software Engineering Best Practices:
A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction

What is this course about?

In this course, you learn how to analyze, design, implement and test applications that meet user requirements through a simulated case study. You gain hands-on experience of each role within the software development team.

Who will benefit from this course?

This course is valuable for business analysts, QA testers, programmers, software project managers and those who want an introduction to modern software development. Analysts, designers, programmers and testers will benefit by getting hands-on experience performing tasks from each role of the software development team. Managers benefit by gaining an understanding of the varied activities involved in the software development life cycle and the skills necessary for teams to achieve success.

What background do I need?

This course provides an introductory overview of all activities required for successful software development projects. Those new to IT or those working in any role on a software development team will benefit. Prior software development experience is helpful but not required.

How is this course structured?

This course is structured around a dynamic style of learning created by Learning Tree called RealityPlus^TM - an immersive experience that engages you in authentic tasks within a simulated real-world context. Through media-rich case studies, role playing and computer-based activities, you are immersed throughout this course in an evolving scenario where the decisions you make affect the outcome of the simulation. The RealityPlus learning method is presented in a safe environment where you gain new skills and practice the most effective techniques to bring back to your job. At the end of your course, you are prepared to immediately and successfully apply these new skills within your organization.

I'm a software project manager. Would this course benefit me?

Absolutely. While this is not a project management course, this course covers the roles and activities required for a successful project. Managers benefit by gaining a greater understanding of the skills their team needs and how those skills should be applied.

I'm a programmer. Why should I take this course?

This course covers the entire life cycle of software development, from requirements gathering through testing and deployment. While the introductory programming topics would be review for an experienced programmer, it is not the major focus of the course. As a programmer, you benefit by gaining hands-on experience of the other development roles within the software life cycle.

I'm a business or systems analyst. Why do I need this course?

The value of your work as a business or systems analyst is best determined by the success of the deployed system. An increased understanding of programming and object-oriented design is crucial for producing well-formed software documentation. This course provides you with hands-on programming and object-oriented design experience.

Will this course teach me programming?

This course teaches basic programming and object-oriented design principles, along with other software development activities. This course is not a programming course and does not teach programming in a particular language.

For aspiring programmers, this course provides an excellent lead-in to further introductory programming courses, including Course 502, Programming with .NET: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, Course 471, Java Programming: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, Course 489, JavaScript for Web Development: Hands-On, and Course 209, VBA Programming: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction.

How much time is spent on each topic?

How much of this course is hands-on?

You spend approximately 50 percent of this course in hands-on activities. Exercises are based on an evolving case study-the goal of which is to produce the first iteration of a working, real-world, tested application meeting user requirements. By the end of the course, you will have performed every function within a software project.

Does this course teach me UML?

You create UML use case and class diagrams as part of the case study. However, this course does not formally teach UML. For exclusive coverage of UML, you should consider Course 216, UML 2: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction.

Will this course teach me object-oriented analysis and design?

This course provides an introduction to object-oriented design and analysis. In the case study, you derive a class hierarchy that demonstrates the principles of encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism that are fundamental to object-oriented design. You also use the Model View Controller (MVC) design pattern.

Does this course cover use case driven design?

In the case study, you create use cases and derive the design from them and also program entity, boundary and controller classes. However, this course does not cover the theory behind use case driven design.

What software development methodology does this course cover?

All software development methodologies require the same core roles, activities and skills, which are demonstrated in this course. This course does not cover any particular development methodology.

Is this course applicable to a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification?

Yes. Although this course is not designed as preparation for the exam, it is beneficial to anyone working toward PMI's PMP certification. For those who are currently certified, completion of this course counts as 23 professional development units (60 units must be completed every three years to maintain certification). For more details, please see the Learning Tree PMI Registered Education Provider Q&A.

If you are an experienced project manager intending to take the PMP exam, you should take Course 276, Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP)^® Exam. In this course you learn essential PMBOK^® Guide terminology, tools and techniques. You gain practical test-taking experience through PMI-style practice exams and create your own personal study plan for continued use after the course.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

For other courses on software development, you may be interested in the following:

• Course 216, UML 2: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction
• Course 218, User and System Requirements for Successful Software Development
• Course 424, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA): A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction
• Course 216, UML 2: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction
• Course 918, Agile Project Management with Scrum
• Course 1801, Modern Object-Oriented Software Design: Hands-On

For courses on specific programming languages, you might consider the following:

• Course 502, Programming with .NET: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction
• Course 471, Java Programming: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction
• Course 489, JavaScript for Web Development: Hands-On