Developing competencies for software requirements analysis through project based learning

The course 'Software Analysis Methodologies' of Computer Science career at the University of Valparaiso has among its objectives to contribute to the development of competencies related to software requirements analysis. Traditionally, through the course the students applied methods and techniques for software requirements analysis in a project with real stakeholders. Nonetheless, this activities were performed outside the classroom, not allowing the teacher to assess the performance of critical competencies, not only related to the application of software engineering knowledge, but also related to the articulation of skills such as obtaining requirements through interviews, information organization and modeling, peer communication, analysis and validation using technical language, conflict management with stakeholders, and requirements validation with stakeholders using nontechnical language. This paper presents the approach of project-based learning with work activities with real stakeholders in classes. As result it has managed to continuously assess the development of skills, a pass rate of 96%, and the achievement of learning outcomes validated by a real counterpart (stakeholder), and also by the teacher and teammates. Also, this initiative shows the articulation of two Institutional Improvement Projects funded by the Ministry of Education, for STEM teaching methodologies, and for the application of Information Technology in the classroom.