A module-agnostic reference software development process for different levels of higher-education study

Several software development methodologies and practices are taught in computer science and software engineering higher education degrees. This happens through individual modules and capstone projects and sometimes with participation from real clients. Different from industry, where processes are usually prescribed, students encounter company-agnostic artefacts and practises, often having to choose between the available options. Feedback from tutors, students and clients indicates this to be a challenge, with students often confused trying to mix-and-match different practices without the proper consideration of how they would work together. This paper introduces the SHU Development Process, covering all software development stages, that is instantiated into different levels of detail for students as they progress through their degree studies. The SHU Dev Process provides structured guidance to software development practices that can be followed through their chosen process flow or cherry-picked by students as needed. It has been created through a student-led project over multiple years. First applied during the academic year 2021/2 and iterated upon for 2022/3 in a capstone project module at Sheffield Hallam University, the process was evaluated annually by surveying students across different courses and levels of study. In initial surveys, students responded positively, and our experience provides valuable insight that other practitioners may draw upon to implement and evaluate a similar resource in the future.