The Department of Information Technology of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University-Southern Campus organized SEGP GT 8.0, an online guest-talk via Zoom, on October 20, 2024, for the undergraduates of Department of Information Technology. The event welcomed Ms. Hansini Weerasinghe, a seasoned Senior Business Solutions Engineer and Senior Business Analyst, renowned for her practical and academic contributions to the field.

Ms. Weerasinghe, a First-Class Honors graduate from Kotelawala Defence University in Information Technology and recipient of the 2020 Research Excellence Award, also made university history by becoming the first-ever Best Research Student awardee. Her session provided invaluable insights into the field of product critique, system development, and the foundational principles of requirement engineering.

The talk focused on critical aspects of product analysis, including assessing functionality, user experience, and design. Ms. Weerasinghe emphasized the value of a Minimal Viable Product (MVP) approach, a concept instrumental in launching products that meet core requirements while enabling future growth and refinement. Her knowledge enriched students’ understanding of how to navigate the various stages of System Development Life Cycle (SDLC), from requirement gathering to testing and deployment.

Ms. Weerasinghe also addressed common challenges students face in developing software systems, such as managing complex requirements, ensuring usability, and handling stakeholder expectations. By blending interactive discussion and lecture, Ms. Weerasinghe created a dynamic environment for students to gain practical skills in product critique. She emphasized the importance of team collaboration, stressing that effective communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders leads to stronger project outcomes.

The session concluded with the students and faculty expressing profound gratitude for Ms. Weerasinghe’s guidance and expertise. Her knowledge of system development, functionality, and user-centered design offered students a deeper perspective on product critique, equipping them with essential tools for their academic and professional journeys.