Big Data and Cloud Computing Coursework 1 (S) Assessment Brief | BPP

Assessment Brief

This assessment brief gives you an overview of the formative and summative assessments that are part of this module. The learning outcomes below will be tested in the assessment contained in this brief.

Module Learning Outcomes (LOs)

1.Design an architecture which supports the collection of complex data sets
2.Critically evaluate a range of data storage solutions from an enterprise systems perspective
3.Critically appraise the issues involved in the deployment of enterprise systems

Assessment Overview

In this assignment you will be writing a report about the use of big data and cloud computing in the context of a scenario based around a fictious agricultural technology (agro tech)) company, groTechno , and their big data project, CropGuard.
In your report, you will propose a cloud-based architecture to enable the collection, storage, and analysis of big data, evaluate a range of relevant cloud-based solutions on their ability to meet the scenario’s requirements, and appraise the issues that would be involved with their deployment (2500 words, 90% of module mark, Covering LOs 1, 2 and 3).

Throughout your report, you should:

• Demonstrate appropriate academic skills (including clear structure, well-reasoned judgements, intellectual originality, and coherence)
• Use references to support your arguments, using the required Harvard format
• Utilise personal research skills to find additional sources and critically evaluate their ability to support your findings
  These aspects will be assessed over the entirety of your report (10% of module mark).

Please note: ensure you read the general assessment guidance at the end of this document.

Assessment Guidance

Scenario

AgroTechno, a well-established player in the agricultural sector, that provides climate change and crop monitoring services to farmers in the UK, and now wishes to expand internationally to take advantage of its local success. They have employed you as a big data and cloud solution consultant as they recognise that their aging infrastructure and manual processes would hinder the planned expansion into international markets and from being a data-driven decision-making company. To address this, they have initiated the CropGuard project within their Research and Development (R&D) team 

Project Overview

The CropGuard project aims to leverage the benefits of big data using the Internet of Things (IoT) technology with the help of technology partners to enhance crop monitoring and risk management for farmers that take their services. By connecting various IoT devices to farmers’ farms, AgroTechno can collect real-time data from fields, orchards, and greenhouses. In return, farmers receive discounts on machinery hired from AgroTechno, insights, recommendations, and potential cost savings advice on farming practices.

The key goals of the CropGuard project are:

1. Empower Farmers: Provide actionable insights to AgroTechno ’s vast network of about 15 million+ prospective farmers worldwide. This will help them optimize crop yield, reduce losses, and make informed decisions on customer churn.
2. Steady Profit Margins: AgroTechno aims for consistent profitability by minimizing crop losses due to pests, diseases, or adverse weather conditions by providing early warning alerts to their customers.
3. Fraud Prevention: By validating data directly from IoT devices, AgroTechno intends to reduce the risk of fraudulent claims related to crop failures.

The key objectives for the project are:

a)Data-Driven Risk Models:

• AgroTechno intends to capture and analyse IoT device data from farmers at regular intervals. This would improve the accuracy of risk models, allowing better prediction of crop health, yield, and potential threats.
• For instance, soil moisture sensors, weather stations, and drone imagery contribute to real-time risk assessment.

b)Claims Validation:

• During the claims process, AgroTechno uses IoT data to validate or reject claims, for example, if a farmer reports crop failure due to extreme weather, AgroTechno can cross-references weather station data to verify their claim.
• AgroTechno has engaged two specialist agro IoT technology partners for the CropGuard project: AgroSensing and GreenGuard.
• AgroTechno ’s IoT Partners

1.CropCam by AgroSensing:

• AgroTechno collaborates with AgroSensing, a leading IoT manufacturer to provide a CropCam service, a high-resolution aerial camera system, used for capturing detailed images of crop fields. It monitors plant health, detects anomalies, and assesses overall crop conditions.

2.SmartHarvester by GreenGuard:

GreenGuard, another strategic partner, provides SmartHarvester devices, a family of solar- powered sensors. These solar-powered sensors measure soil moisture, temperature, and humidity. They help optimize irrigation schedules and prevent water wastage. All data about soil and weather conditions are to be collected and stored for processing.

Stakeholders

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) and many other members of AgroTechno’s executive board are supportive of the CropGuard project, however, some have expressed reservations including the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Chief Reputation Officer (CRO). They have highlighted prior examples of big data project failures, including data breaches and possible high costs and poor returns on the investment, and have requested a written briefing about the relevance of any such issues for this project and their potential impact on its viability.

Summative Assessment

Your summative submission (a single file, 2500 words) will be a written report, aimed at senior management within AgroTechno, which identifies and evaluates relevant cloud-based big data solutions, proposes a cloud-based architecture for the big data solution and analyses how it could meet the requirements, and appraises the key issues involved in the deployment of cloud-based big data systems for this scenario. This report should be clearly articulated within the relevant context and you should use a range of appropriate academic sources to support your arguments.

Summative Report Structure

Your summative report (a single file, maximum 2500 words, contributed from the embolden lines below) should include and the following:

• Introduction (approx. 200 words)
• Task 1. Big Data Requirements & Storage Solutions (LO2, approx. 800 words):
• Task 2. Proposed System Architecture ((LO1, approx. 500 words, plus relevant diagram(s)): Task 3. Project Risks & Issues (LO3, approx. 800 words):
• Conclusion (approx. 200 words),
• Referencing, Appendices

Summative Assessment Guidance Notes

Introduction

• A completed cover sheet (not included in word count)
• Introduction (approx. 200 words): Set out your report and assumptions you have made about the scenario

Task 1. Big Data Requirements & Storage Solutions (LO2, approx. 800 words):

You are required to critically evaluate the cloud-based big data storage solution in the context of the case study.

• Task 1 - Data Storage Solution Guidance notes:
  oGuidelines that you may consider when answering this task:
• Identify and outline the Big Data requirements from the scenario that your proposed solution will address
• Identify a range of cloud-based big data solutions
• Describe the range of cloud-based big data solutions identified and
• Evaluate their use in the context of the scenario, considering their ability to achieve the scenario requirements including the capacity, functionality, and costs involved in their use

Task 2. Proposed System Architecture ((LO1, approx. 500 words, plus relevant diagram(s)): 

You are required to propose a cloud-based solution architecture for the big data scenario supported by an architecture diagram. For your proposal, select ONE appropriate cloud-based big data solution, and analyse its overall capability to meet the scenario requirements and the storage solutions from Task 1.

Task 2 - Proposed System Architecture Guidance notes:

You may consider the following:

• That your system design architecture diagram should show the essential components from data source to reporting, using appropriate modelling tools and visualisations to present the structure of your proposed architecture.

Task 3. Project Risks & Issues (LO3, approx. 800 words):

You are to critically appraise a range of risks and issues that may be associated with deploying a cloud-based big data solution for this scenario as outlined in Task 1 and Task 2

Task 3 – Risks and Issues Guidance notes:

Guidelines that you may consider when answering this task:

• Use a risk management template to identify and structure your responses
• Identify any potential mitigation approaches that might be relevant for the risks and issues you identified
• Link the risks and issues to:
  oyour data storage solutions that you outlined from Task 1.
  oyour proposed system architecture solution in Task 2.

Conclusion, Referencing, etc. Guidance notes

Conclusion, Referencing, Personal Research Skill, and Appendices

6 Providing a conclusion (approx. 200 words) and based on your findings, proposing a route forward.

7 References (not included in word count): highlighting the academic research undertaken in your project

8 Appendices (not included in word count): these are not directly marked, but may support your report

Marking Criteria