Guidelines for the Preparation of the

BS/MCS Project / B.S Thesis

Department of Computer Science
University of Karachi

([email protected])
December 2004

BS/MCS students submitting their final project reports or theses should strictly follow the given
general guidelines.

1. Final Report:

1.1. Page Format:

Page size: A4
Top margin: 1.00 inch
Bottom margin: 1.00 inch
Left margin: 1.25 inch
Right margin: 1.00 inch

Page numbering: Bottom right - part of the footnote

Title page not numbered
All other pages before the page of chapter one numbered in
lower roman numerals (i, ii, iii, …)
All other pages starting from first page of chapter one to last
page of the report numbered in integers (1, 2, 3, …)

Foot-note: Each page shall have a footnote giving the title of the project /
thesis only.
Left aligned
In case of long titles shorter versions should be used.
There shall be a line over the footnote.

Chapter Startup: Each chapter shall be numbered as Chapter 1, Chapter 2, etc.

The name of the chapter shall be written immediately below.
Both shall be centered horizontally as well as vertically.
The actual chapter content shall start from the next page.7

Text: Only one side of the paper shall be used.

The other side shall be blank.
When a report is opened the right side would contain text,
figures, or tables and the left side would be blank.

Tables and Figures: Each table / figure shall be numbered.

For example "Table 1.2: Population distribution in Asia" or
"Figure 3.2: Temperature distribution"
The table number or figure number shall be placed as normal
text centered at the bottom of the table or figure or sideways with
table / figure title coming on the opening side of the paper and
note on the binding side.

1.2. Paragraph:

Single spaced.

Project Report Format Guidelines 1

 Line entered paragraph.
DONOT put indents at the beginning of the paragraph.
Left aligned or justified.

1.3. Text Format

Normal and plane text:

Font Type: Times-New roman
Font Size: 12
Headings:
Chapter Heading: Font Arial Bold Size 16 Title Case normal
Heading 1: Font Arial Bold Size 14 Title Case normal
Heading 2: Font Arial Bold Size 12 Title Case normal
Heading 3: Font Arial Bold Size 12 Title Case italic

1.4. Sections and Subsections

In case of sections and subsections follow this format:

Section 1
1.1
1.1.1
a
b
c
i
ii
iii

The subsequent reference to a any section shall be made using the section and its
number. For example section 2.1.3 means chapter 2 section 1 subsection 3.

1.5. Mathematical Equations

The following numbering scheme should be used to number the equations:

f(x) = x+3 (XX:YY)
Where XX is the chapter number and YY is the sequence number of that equation in that
chapter.
If an equation is previously quoted in an earlier chapter, say as equation 4.5 and need to
be re-quoted in chapter 5, its number will remain as equation 4.5.

1.6. References

References are to be placed in square brackets and interlaced in the text.

For example "A number of profiles of Asian researchers can be found in the literature [2].
A project report / thesis cannot be accepted without proper references.
The references shall be quoted in the following format:

The articles from journals, books, and magazines are written as:
[1] Jennifer Eyre, "The Digital Signal Processor: Derby", IEEE Spectrum,
June 2001, pp 62-68.
[2] Nabila Zar, "Wasey Omar", In Person: Profiles of Researchers in Africa,
Asia, and the Americas, International Development Research Center,
Ottawa, 1995, pp 67-73.
[3]
The books are written as:

Project Report Format Guidelines 2

 [1] Wayne C Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams, The Craft of
Research, The University Chicago Press, Chicago, 1995.
[2]
The Internet links shall be complete URLs to the final article.
[1] http://www.parc.xerox.com/csl/projects/aop/workshops.shtml
[2]

1.7. Cover Page

An illustration is given at the end.

1.8. Binding

All reports shall be bounded with an appropriate print on the backbone.

Two copies should be submitted.
Color of the binding:
 BS project/Thesis: black
 MCS project: blue

2. Contents

2.1. Main Contents

Title page
Page i: Statement of submission
Page ii: Acknowledgements (signed by all the group members)
Page iii: Abstract
Page iv: A signed document by client for project approval (if client based project)
Page v: List of figures
Page vi. List of Tables
Page vii: Table of contents

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter Last: References
Appendices

2.2. Client Based Market Oriented Project

Chapters 2 to Last-1
Requirements
Analysis
Design
Implementation (discuss implementation issues here)
Quality Assurance
Different testing techniques used
Bugs report
Deployment
Results and Conclusion
Future Work

2.3. Research Oriented Project

Chapters 2 to Last-1
Problem statement
Background research done

Project Report Format Guidelines 3

 Final problem statements
Requirements and analysis based on this problem statement
Prototype
Analysis, design, implementation of prototype
Results of the prototype
Conclusion of the Research
Proposals if any
Future work in this field

3. Contents of the CD Attached

All reports / thesis must accompany a CD whose contents will have the following:

Top level directories:

Doc All documents related to the project

Instructions how to access the CD to the point to running the
project
All reports already submitted
The final project report in thesis form
Installation instructions
Trouble shooting instructions in case of problems
User manual
Research material including URLs
Papers consulted / referred to
Slides of the presentations
Src All source files that will be needed to compile the project.
Further subdirectories can be used.
This must include sample data files as well.
Project The running project including sample data files as well as sample output.
This should be in a form that if copied to a machine runs without errors.
This may an exe file of an entire project, an installer depending on the
project or simply a running project.

You can have sub directories with appropriate names.

Project Report Format Guidelines 4

 A Sample Report

Project Report Format Guidelines 5

 NETWORK TOPOLOGY DISCOVERY
USING
FORWARDING DATABASE
NETWORK TOPOLOGY DISCOVERY USING FORWARDING DATABASE

Session 2000-2004

Project Advisors
Mr. Badar Sami

Name of Co-Supervisor
Mr. Muhammad Saeed

Submitted By

Muhammad Saeed BS Seat #

Umair Alam Mcs seat #

Department of Computer Science

University of Karachi
Karachi
BS

Project Report Format Guidelines 6

Dec 30, 2004

Project Report Format Guidelines 7

 A report submitted to the

Department of Computer Science

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the

degree

Batchelor of Science

in

Computer Science

by

Muhammad Saeed
Umair Alam

University of Karachi

Dec 30, 2004

Project Report Format Guidelines 8

 Acknowledgements
We truly acknowledge the cooperation and help make by Dr. Nasir Touheed, Chairman
Department of Computer Science University of Karachi. He has been a constant source of
guidance throughout the course of this project. We would also like to thank Prof. Dr. S.M.
Aqil Burney for his help and guidance in understanding Queuing Theory. We are also
thankful to our friends and families whose silent support led us to complete our project.

(Signed)

Muhammad Saeed B-02030018

Umiar Alam B-02030050

Date

Dec 30, 2004

Project Report Format Guidelines 9

 Table Of Contents
Statement Of Submission .................................................................................................................... i
Acknowledgements.............................................................................................................................. ii
Abstract............................................................................................................................................... iii
Clients Approval Letter........................................................................................................................ iv
List Of Figures..................................................................................................................................... v
List Of Tables...................................................................................................................................... vi
Table Of Contents.............................................................................................................................. vii
Chapter 1: Introduction........................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 People Capability Maturity Model (P-Cmm)............................................................................2
1.1.1 Overview.............................................................................................................................. 3
1.1.2 Strategic Objectives............................................................................................................. 4
1.1.3 P-Cmm Maturity Levels........................................................................................................ 5
1.1.4 Key Process Areas For Level 3............................................................................................ 6
1.1.1.A Knowledge And Skills Analysis......................................................................................7
1.1.1.C Workforce Planning....................................................................................................... 8
1.1.1.D Competency Development............................................................................................ 9
1.1.4.E Career Development................................................................................................... 10
1.1.4.F Competency Based Practices......................................................................................11
1.2 Workforce Planning............................................................................................................... 12
1.2.1 Definitions.......................................................................................................................... 13
1.2.1.A Workforce Planning..................................................................................................... 14
1.2.1.B Staffing Assessment.................................................................................................... 15
1.2.1.C Demand Model............................................................................................................ 16
1.2.1.D Supply Model.............................................................................................................. 17
1.2.1.E Gaps............................................................................................................................ 18
1.2.1.F Critical Skill Gaps........................................................................................................ 19
1.2.1.G Surpluses.................................................................................................................... 20
1.2.1.F Workforce Planning Methodology................................................................................21
1.2.2 Steps For Developing Workforce Plan...............................................................................22
1.2.2.A Step 1:Obtain Leadership Commitment.......................................................................23
1.2.2.B Step 2:Analyze Strategic Goals And Objectives..........................................................24
1.2.2.C Step 3:Determine Functional Requirements................................................................25
1.2.2.D Step 4:Create Future Workforce Profile......................................................................26
1.2.2.E Step 5:Develop Current Workforce Profiles.................................................................27
1.2.2.F Step 6:Estimate Workforce Requirement.....................................................................28
1.2.2.G Step 7:Develop Workforce Strategy & Budget Projections..........................................29
1.2.2.H Step 8:Evaluate Workforce Planning Process.............................................................30
1.3 Competency Model And Skills Assessment General Concepts.............................................31
1.3.1 Competencies And Core Competencies.............................................................................32
1.3.2 Competency Model............................................................................................................ 33
1.3.3 Identifying Competencies................................................................................................... 34
1.3.4 Steps For Conducting Competency Analysis.....................................................................35
1.3.5 Skills Assessment Tool....................................................................................................... 36
Chapter 2: Motivation For The Project............................................................................................... 37
2.1 Motivation For The Project.................................................................................................... 38
2.1.1 Research Conducted In U.S............................................................................................... 39
2.1.1.A Executive Summary Of The Report.............................................................................40
2.1.1.B Statistical Facts........................................................................................................... 41
2.1.2 Research Conducted By Itaa............................................................................................. 42
2.1.2.A Itaa It Skills Gap Research Program...........................................................................43
2.1.3 Excerpt From Software Magazine......................................................................................44
2.1.4 Excerpt Form Network World.............................................................................................45
Chapter 3: Requirements And Specifications....................................................................................46

Project Report Format Guidelines 10

 3.1 Project Description................................................................................................................ 47
3.1.1 Goals And Objectives......................................................................................................... 48
3.1.2 Context............................................................................................................................... 49
3.1.3 Usage Scenario.................................................................................................................. 50
3.1.3.A Users........................................................................................................................... 51
3.1.3.B Use Cases................................................................................................................... 52
3.1.3.C Special Usage Considerations....................................................................................53
3.1.4 Research Methodology...................................................................................................... 54
3.1.5 High Level Design.............................................................................................................. 55
3.1.6 Deliverables....................................................................................................................... 56
3.1.7 Validation Criteria............................................................................................................... 57
3.1.7.A Client Expectation........................................................................................................ 58
3.1.8 Risk Assessment................................................................................................................ 59
Chapter 4: Analysis and Desing......................................................................................................... 60
4.1 Examining The Existing Practices.........................................................................................62
4.2 Problems Identification.......................................................................................................... 63
4.3 Formulation Of Methodology................................................................................................. 64
4.4 Competency Model Framework............................................................................................ 65
4.4.1 Identifying The Roles.......................................................................................................... 66
4.4.2 Identifying The Job Competencies.....................................................................................67
4.4.2.A Definition Of Terms...................................................................................................... 68
4.4.2.B Leadership................................................................................................................... 69
4.4.2.C General Management................................................................................................. 70
4.4.2.Dteamwork...................................................................................................................... 71
4.4.2.E Process Analysis......................................................................................................... 72
4.4.2.F Technology Leadership & Management......................................................................73
4.4.2.G Client Relations........................................................................................................... 74
4.4.2.H Business Awareness................................................................................................... 75
4.4.2.I Training And Development............................................................................................ 76
4.4.2.J Technology-Networking................................................................................................ 77
4.4.2.K Technology-Computing................................................................................................ 78
4.4.2.L Technology-Applications.............................................................................................. 79
4.4.2.M Technology Others...................................................................................................... 80
4.4.3 Constructing The Need Matrix............................................................................................ 81
4.4.4 Assessing The Employees................................................................................................. 82
4.4.5 Competency Gap Analysis.................................................................................................83
Chapter 5: Development Of Matrices, Skill Assessment & Gap Analysis...........................................84
5.1 Matrix Development.............................................................................................................. 85
5.1.1 Identifying Job Positions..................................................................................................... 86
5.1.1.A Survey Of Job Postings And The Skill Competency Requirements.............................87
5.1.2 Product Engineer................................................................................................................ 88
5.1.2.A Responsibilities............................................................................................................ 89
5.1.2.B Required Competencies:............................................................................................. 90
5.1.2.C Expected Competencies............................................................................................. 91
5.1.2.D Need Matrix For Product Engineer..............................................................................92
5.1.2.E Skill Assessment Tool For Product Engineer...............................................................93
5.1.2.F Graphical Representation Of Competencies...............................................................94
5.1.3 Product Manager................................................................................................................ 95
5.1.3.A Responsibilities............................................................................................................ 96
5.1.3.B Required Competencies.............................................................................................. 97
5.1.3.C Expected Competencies............................................................................................. 98
5.1.3.D Need Matrix Development For Product Manager........................................................99
5.1.3.E Skill Assessment Tool For Product Engineer.............................................................100
5.1.3.F Graphical Representation Of Competencies.............................................................101
5.1.4 Project Manager............................................................................................................... 102
5.1.4.A Responsibilities:......................................................................................................... 103

Project Report Format Guidelines 11

 5.1.4.B Required Competencies............................................................................................ 104
5.1.4.C Expected Competencies:.......................................................................................... 105
5.1.4.D Need Matrix For Project Manager.............................................................................106
5.1.4.E Skill Assessment Tool For Project Manager..............................................................107
5.1.4.F Graphical Representation Of Competencies.............................................................108
5.1.5 Software Engineer............................................................................................................ 109
5.1.5.A Responsibilities:......................................................................................................... 110
5.1.5.B Required Competencies............................................................................................ 111
5.1.5.C Expected Competencies............................................................................................112
5.1.5.D Need Matrix For Software Engineer..........................................................................113
5.1.5.E Skill Assessment Tool For Software Engineer...........................................................114
5.1.5.F Graphical Representation For Competencies............................................................115
5.1.6 Sr. Software Architect....................................................................................................... 116
5.1.6.A Responsibilities:......................................................................................................... 117
5.1.6.B Required Competencies............................................................................................ 118
5.1.6.E Skill Assessment Tool For Sr. Software Architect......................................................119
5.1.6.F Graphical Representation Of Competencies.............................................................120
5.1.7 Sr. Software Engineer...................................................................................................... 121
5.1.7.A Responsibilities.......................................................................................................... 122
5.1.7.B Required Competencies............................................................................................ 123
5.1.7.C Expected Competencies........................................................................................... 124
5.1.7.D Need Matrix Sr. Software Engineer...........................................................................125
5.1.7.E Skill Assessment Tool For Sr. Software Engineer......................................................126
5.1.7.F Graphical Representation Of Competencies.............................................................127
5.1.8 Sr. Software System Architect.......................................................................................... 128
5.1.8.A Responsibilities.......................................................................................................... 129
5.1.8.B Required Competencies............................................................................................ 130
5.1.8.C Expected Competencies........................................................................................... 131
5.1.8.D Need Matrix For Sr. Software System Architect........................................................132
5.1.8.E Skill Assessment Tool For Sr. Software System Architect.........................................133
5.1.8.F Graphical Representation Of Competencies.............................................................134
5.1.9 Example Of Competency Gap Analysis............................................................................135
5.1.9.A Interpretation Of The Analysis...................................................................................136
Chapter 6: References..................................................................................................................... 137
6.1 References.......................................................................................................................... 138
Appendix A: Glossary Of Terms....................................................................................................... 139
Appendix B: Ideal Model.................................................................................................................. 140
Appendix C: P-CMM Maturity Level–3...................................................................................................

141

Project Report Format Guidelines 12