CS/IT Project Development 2015

Show the audience what your system will be like. Get feedback on how to improve your system requirements and design.

Mockup or Prototype?

What is a mockup? A model of your system showing what it will look like and that can be used to explain the features of your system. E.g. pictures, videos, diagrams, physical models. Generally a mockup will not do anything (e.g. it is not software that executes).

What is a prototype? A working system, but not the full system. E.g. some parts are incomplete, some parts are only partially developed, a first version.

For this presentation you may show either a mockup or prototype or both. Generally a prototype will be more advanced than a mockup, although mockups can be very useful for quickly showing user interfaces. In the following, when referring to a "mockup", it may also mean "prototype".

Format

This mockups will be via "demonstration" format (it is NOT a presentation with slides). Groups will demonstrate together (that is, the two of you will stand together and demonstrate your project; each student should contribute in the explaining and/or answer of questions).

This session involves groups demonstrating their project to faculty members. All groups will prepare for demonstration in one of several spaces available to senior students (e.g. senior project room, Network lab, IT lab, AI3 room). Students will wait near their space for the entire duration. Faculty members will walk around at different times and visit a selection of groups. You will be expected to briefly explain what your project is about, show them your mockup/prototype and answer questions about your project.

Groups will be able to choose how they demonstrate their projects, with the main limitation being the space available. Demonstrations may make use of computers, video presentations, talking and posters.

Groups will be allocated to rooms, and must share that room (walls, desks) with others. The initial allocation is below. The rooms are on 3rd floor (AI3 Lab) and 4th floor (2402, 2407) of IT/MT building. If you want to change rooms, then either find a group to swap with, or ensure there is enough space in the room.

Examples and Hints

Some examples and hints of how you may demonstrate:

• The mockup/prototype is about showing faculty the idea of your system. Your final system may look different at the end
• If you have a prototype application with some features already implemented, then you could demonstrate that on your computer.
• If your system contains a user interface (e.g. web site, standalone app, mobile app) then some pictures of what it will look like and how the user will move between screens can be used. The colour and formatting is not usually important; focus on the functions/features.
• If you have pictures to show you may draw/print on A4 sheets and then attach them to a larger sheet to make a poster.
• Don't prepare a long presentation. The faculty generally want a 1 minute explanation of what your project is about, followed by 2 or 3 minutes showing them the mockup/prototype. They will then ask questions about the details.
• Be interactive: ask questions of the faculty, seek their feedback on what they think the system should do.
• Be prepared to take notes. If a faculty member suggests a feature or improvement, take note of it. They next time you present to that faculty member (end of semester, or next semester), they will be upset (and may give you lower score) if you have not implemented the feature or if you have not explained why the feature is not implemented.