Introduction to Mobile Application Development (Y/618/4178) Assignment Brief 2026

Unit Aims

This unit aims to provide an overview on the basics of mobile application development. Learners will gain knowledge and understanding on how to plan, develop, test and launch a mobile application to solve a solution to a problem.

Assignment Task

You are working as a developer for a mobile application development company. The company has been appointed to design a new mobile application for a school.

The school currently does not have a mobile application and they have asked that the application is available across a range of platforms and devices.

They require the application to allow students to register to use the application and be able to view updates from the school. They would also like the application to ask students for their current level of motivation on a daily basis and log the motivation level of each student. The school would like to be able to view a summary dashboard showing the motivation levels across the school from the application. It is important that only staff can view the summary of the student’s motivation levels.

You have been tasked by your manager to plan, develop, test and launch the mobile application.

Task 1 – The purpose of the application

Before planning the application, you have been asked to produce a presentation.

The presentation should:

• Explain the features within a mobile application
• Explain the reasons for developing personal and business mobile applications
• Describe the platforms and devices the application could run on
• Explain the difference between native, web and hybrid applications and your chosen option for this project with justified reasons
• The problem which the mobile application could solve for the school

Extension activities: 

To gain a merit grade you must also include in your presentation:

• an explanation of how a mobile application would enhance the student experience

To gain a distinction grade you must also include in your presentation:

• an analysis of the impact of developing the application for only one platform would have on the school and the students

LO1 AC 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1M1, 1D1

Task 2 – Planning the mobile application

You have been asked to plan the mobile application before starting the development stage.

You will need to produce a user and technical requirements document detailing the specific details of the mobile application.

Once the requirements have been decided you will need to produce a user design interface suitable for the school. This should be in the format of a UX or UI design along with a wireframe to support the design.

Finally, you will need to create a prototype of the mobile application based on the user interface design. The prototype should allow a user to view and navigate through the individual sections of the application. The functionality should not be added at this stage.

You will need to submit the following elements:

• The user and technical requirements for the mobile application
• A completed UI/UX design
• A wireframe for the application
• A working prototype of the mobile application

LO2 AC 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5

Task 3 – Develop a mobile application

Using the user and technical requirements from Task 2 you have now been asked to develop the mobile application using a software Development Kit (SDK).

You will need to:

• Install and setup a mobile application project using a Software Development Kit (SDK), demonstrating use of different tools and techniques of the SDK.
• Use the Software Development Kit (SDK) to build the mobile application, including the development of the client side and back end of the mobile application
• Produce a document explaining the purpose of using a Software Development Kit (SDK)

You will need to submit the following elements:

• A document explaining the purpose of using an SDK and showing how you have installed, setup and configured the SDK
• The source export file for the mobile application
• A recorded video (screencast) talking through how to use the mobile application and the features within the application

Extension activities: 

To gain a merit grade you must also include:

• additional functionality in the mobile application

To gain a distinction grade you must also include:

• connect the mobile application to a suitable database

LO3 AC 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3M1, 3D1

Task 4 – Testing the application

You have now been asked to test the application to ensure it is fit for purpose and meets the school’s requirements from the original brief.

You are required to complete the below activities and evidence each within a document for submission to your manager:

• Create a test plan for the application detailing the tests you are going to complete
• Describe the testing methods used for mobile applications
• Test the application using the test plan and evidence the outcome of each test along with the end result
• Evaluate and review the application following testing 

Extension activities: 

To gain a merit grade you must also include in your document:

• an explanation of the benefits of using a focus group for testing

To gain a distinction grade you must also include in your document:

• an analysis on the impact incomplete testing would have on the students using the application

LO4 AC 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4M1, 4D1

Task 5 – Launching the application 

You do not need to launch the application on a live marketplace for this task.  

Now that the application has been developed your manager has asked you to produce summary information to be provided by the school for them to decide on how they will launch the application.

Produce a document, to include:

• An explanation of the range of application marketplaces available
• An explanation of the associated costs of launching an application to a marketplace
• An explanation of the process of proceeding with launching on a marketplace and a description of the marketplace application requirements

LO5 AC 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria