The SEP4 course was not one which was hard per se, there was however a lot of definitions which contained many other sub-points and sub-definitions. In short, there were a lot of things that you could have had to remember.
The exam was not actually as bad as it could have been. For a lot of stuff I answered I could have gone into a lot more detail. I managed, however, to write for the entire time and wouldn't have any more time to go into more detail for most of the parts of the paper.
Question 1
- A - Requirements capture with respect to plan-driven process, details of prototyping [5]
- B - Verification and Validation definition and specification within agile methods [6]
- C - URP, use case driven? [5]
- D - DSDM, links to agile processes [4]
- E - "Agile processes rely heavily upon tacit (undocumented) interpersonal knowledge for success", discussion [5]
Question 2
- A - Axis of the Boehem & Turner polar chart. Identify home grounds for plan-driven and agile processes based upon the chart. [7]
- B - Examples of two axes where polar chart don't capture necessary system characteristics. [4]
- C - Position waterfall development on polar axis. [5]
- D - Position web-based application/agile process on polar axis. [5]
- E - Problems for plan-based software teams undertaking agile-based project. [4]
Question 3
- A - Discussion of features of XP programming from The Manifesto for Agile Software Development. [8]
- B - Show how points in question are radical moves away from plan-based design [8]
- C - Limitations of XP that make it unsuitable for some types of software design [4]
- D - Potential problems of plan-based development switching to an agile process. [5]
The exam consisted of question 1 and then a choice of either question 2 or question 3. I chose to answer question 3, as I had forgot what one of the axis of the polar chart was supposed to be labeled (I knew what it was and what it was for but just couldn't get the name!). Anyway, I was very happy with the way it turned out, so happy that I decided to go out to the pub and got really drunk.
Only 3 more to go!
- Chris