From craftsmen into engineers during undergraduate education

Abstract

The software development industry has an urge for trained software engineers capable to deliver successful software projects. To be successful, software projects require engineers with discipline on the application of sound engineering practices. Those practices are usually learnt after engineers have spent years working in the industry, resulting in a low percentage of successful projects. In this paper we propose a challenge-based learning experience that develops such sound engineering practices and discipline during undergraduate studies, therefore, guaranteeing that the rate of successful projects where the engineers will participate will be higher, as they have acquired the competencies to deliver such projects.