CST4011 Final Project Assessment 2026 | Middlesex University

CST4011 Final Project Assessment

In your project, in teams of 2-4 people, you will work on a software development process on one of the following web platforms or on an approved platform idea of your own choice. You can choose a tool of your choice, it may even be a helpful framework like Streamlit.

The final assessment consists of five components:

• User Stories and workflow models: These are at least 10 significant user stories capturing the purpose and impact of your platform. From these user stories, UML workflows will be derived and part of the portfolio. For each team member, you should have at least 5 user stories, i.e. teams of 2 have a minimum requirement of 10 user stories, teams of 3 have at least 15 user stories, and teams of 4 have at least 20 user stories
• User interface and interaction design: The workflow models from the previous step inform the necessities of the user interface. The designs should be submitted as drawings or mock-up screenshots with explanations of their intentions. Clear references as to which design covers which UML workflow model should be made.
• Code architecture and implementation structure:  In this part, the code structure will be outlined and described.
• Implementation, testing and validation strategy: As part of this module, the development should be done in sprints. The implementation details cover the sprint planning and execution logs, in particular with detailed records of which team member has worked on what tasks. The testing strategy should be in line with common standards and cover crucial parts of your software. The strategy is a mix of diagrams and verbal explanations of what was done with justification.
• Video presentation of the platform with verbal or subtitle explanations: A screen recording (video) has to be submitted to demonstrate the working platform. This video should cover at least the 10 essential user stories. You may choose audio voice-over or subtitles for this. Your grade does not take this choice into account.
  Each part will build upon the one before, and the portfolio should be logically consistent. For example, if you define a user story, then in the user interface, there must be provisions for this user story to be implemented. Testing must touch upon all critical parts of your code, and user stories, and the final video should encompass the most important user stories. You may define additional backup user stories to work on if there is still time.

AI guidelines

You can use AI for…

• Brainstorming and requirements engineering
• Getting ideas for how to improve user stories
• Help with coding tasks
• Generating architecture suggestions

It may be tempting to use AI for writing, but non-specific AI-like sentences or paragraphs will reduce your grade!

AI is known to…

• Write very nicely sounding generic texts that do not relate to your project
• Generate inconsistencies in the text

Project ideas

1. Local Neighbourhood Classifieds

This platform allows users to post items for sale or free within specific geographical radii, featuring a built-in messaging system for buyers and sellers to negotiate. It includes a sophisticated “Category” hierarchy and an image upload pipeline that handles multiple photos per listing. The group must implement a search engine that filters results by location, price range, and item condition simultaneously.

2. High-Volume Property Rental Portal

This application focuses on long-term housing by allowing agents to list properties with detailed specifications like floor plans, energy ratings, and council tax bands. It features an “Inquiry” workflow where potential tenants can book viewing slots directly through a shared calendar integrated into the property page. Complexity is added through a “Saved Search” feature that notifies users when new properties matching their criteria are added to the database.

3. Niche Professional Service Directory

Similar to a digital “Yellow Pages,” this platform connects specialized freelancers (like electricians or tutors) with clients based on verified reviews and portfolio quality. It includes a rating and review system that calculates a “Trust Score” for each professional and a booking management system for scheduling services. The group will need to focus on building a robust relational database that links reviews, users, and service categories.

4. Peer-to-Peer Vehicle Marketplace

This platform is a specialised version of a classifieds site designed specifically for cars, motorcycles, or boats, requiring a highly structured data entry form for technical specs (mileage, engine size, fuel type). It includes a “Compare” tool that allows users to view two or three different listings side-by-side to analyse price and performance differences. The challenge lies in creating a complex filtering logic and a user-friendly way to display dense technical information.

5. Rare Collectables Auction House

This platform functions as a marketplace for high-value items like trading cards or antiques, where listings are time-sensitive and involve a bidding logic rather than a fixed price. It features a real-time “Countdown Timer” for each listing and an automated notification system that alerts users when they have been outbid. This project requires the group to manage real-time state changes and ensure data consistency during high-traffic bidding moments.