C01 Resources — Design Brief & Project Management
Criterion scope: Design brief (problem/need/opportunity, proposed solution, users/clients, programming language features, feasibility), project plan (Gantt chart, PSM stages, milestones, dependencies, critical path, monitoring).
C1-1: Design Brief
Existing Materials (CriterionXX/)
Criterion01/ is well-resourced: multiple example design briefs (Adem's Gym, Breathing Exercise Game, Team Circuit Challenge, NiceQuiz), a Frayer model for feasibility, question banks, and presentation practice materials. This is one of the best-covered criteria.
External Resources
| Resource | Source | Format | VCAA Mapping | Why It's Useful |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VCAA Advice for Teachers — Software Development | VCAA | Reading | Design brief — official guidance | The authority on what VCAA expects in a design brief. Teachers should read this first. |
| VCAA Assessment Page | VCAA | Reading | All C1 topics — official assessment requirements | Official assessment guidance for all criteria including C1. |
| Farrell's VCE Software Development — SAT Overview | Teacher resource | Reading | Design brief, project plan — VCE context | Teacher-curated overview of SAT expectations. Useful for understanding the broader context. |
Gaps — C1-1
- Minimal. Existing materials cover this well. A short video example of a student presenting a design brief would be a nice addition but is not critical.
C1-2 & C1-3: Project Plan (Gantt Chart) & Planning Detail
Existing Materials (CriterionXX/)
Well-covered: PSM overview, PSM diagrams (including Mermaid), Gantt chart guidance, task lists, templates, and detailed planning instructions for milestones and dependencies.
External Resources
| Resource | Source | Format | VCAA Mapping | Why It's Useful |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VCAA Sample Project Plan (Gantt Chart) | VCAA | Visual example | Gantt chart, PSM stages, milestones, dependencies | Official VCAA sample Gantt chart. Shows exactly what they expect. Essential reference. |
| Office Timeline — Software Development Gantt Chart Template | Office Timeline | Template (free) | Gantt chart creation | Free Gantt chart template students can adapt. Useful if not using GitHub Projects. |
| VCAA — 2020 Software Development SBA | VCAA | Reading (PDF) | Project plan, monitoring, SAT structure | Official VCAA administrative document explaining SAT structure and expectations. |
| GitHub Projects Roadmap View Tutorial | YouTube | Video | Gantt chart using software (C1-2) | How to use GitHub Projects Roadmap View as a Gantt chart. Directly relevant since students use GitHub Projects for their project plan. |
Gaps — C1-2 & C1-3
- Dependencies and critical path — no good free video explaining these concepts in a VCE Software Development context. Most project management tutorials are aimed at business/enterprise.
- "Why monitor your project?" — the existing c1-why-monitoring-projects.md covers this, but a short video would reinforce the concept.
Recommended Actions
- C01 is well-resourced. Focus effort elsewhere.
- The VCAA sample Gantt chart is essential — ensure all students see it as the benchmark.