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Project Management Process
Managing the Information
Systems Project
Focus of project management

To ensure that information system projects
meet customer expectations
 Delivered in a timely manner
 Meet constraints and requirements
Managing the Information
Systems Project
Project Manager

Requires diverse set of skills
 Leadership
 Customer relations
 Technical Problem Solving
 Conflict management
 Team Management
 Risk & Change Management
Project Management Process
Initiation


Assess the size, scope and complexity of the
project
Establish procedures to support later project
activities
Planning

Define clear, discrete activities and the work
needed to complete each activity
Execution

Plans created in prior phases are put into action
Closing down
Initiating the Project
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Establish project initiation team
Establish relationship with customer
Establish project initiation plan
Establish management procedures
Establish project management
environment and workbook
Planning the Project
1. Describe project scope, alternatives
and feasibility

Scope and Feasibility
 Understand the project

What problem is addressed
 What results are to be achieved
 Measures of success
 Completion criteria
Planning the Project
2. Divide the project into manageable
tasks
•
•
Work breakdown structure
Gantt chart
3. Estimate resources and create a
resource plan.
4. Develop a preliminary schedule
•
Utilize Gantt and PERT charts
Gantt Chart
PERT Chart
Comparison of Gantt and
PERT Charts
Gantt



Visually shows
duration of tasks
Visually shows time
overlap between
tasks
Visually shows slack
time
PERT



Visually shows
dependencies
between tasks
Visually shows which
tasks can be done in
parallel
Shows slack time by
data in rectangles
Gantt and PERT Charts
Steps
1. Identify each activity
2. Determine time estimates and expected
completion times for each activity.
3. Determine sequence of activities
4. Determine critical path
Estimated Time Calculations
Sequence of Activities
Critical Path Activities
Early Finish Te


Sum ET from left to right
Use max if the activity has more than 1
predecessor
Late Finish Tl


Subtract ET from right to left
Use min if the activity has more than 1 successor
Slack time = Tl-Te
On Critical Path if Slack Time = 0
Critical Paths
Time Estimation
Planning – 15%
Analysis – 20%
Design – 35%
Implementation – 30%
Trade-offs
Size
Effort
Time
Planning the Project
5. Develop a communication plan



Outline communication processes among
customers, team members and management
Types of reports
Frequency of reports
6. Determine project standards and procedures

Specify how deliverables are tested and
produced
Communication Methods
(Uses)
Project Workbook (Permanent record)
Meetings (Resolve issues)
Seminars and Workshops (Inform)
Project Newsletters (Inform)
Status Reports (Inform)
Specification Documents (Permanent record)
Minutes of Meetings (Permanent record)
Bulletin Boards (Inform)
Memos (Inform)
Brown–Bag Lunches (Inform)
Hallway Discussions (Resolve Issues)
Planning the Project
7. Identify and assess risk


Identify sources of risk
Estimate consequences of risk
8. Create a preliminary budget
9. Develop a statement of work

Describe what the project will deliver
10.Set a baseline project plan

Estimate of project’s tasks and resources
Executing the Project
1. Execute baseline project plan



Acquire and assign resources
Train new team members
Keep project on schedule
2. Monitor project progress

Adjust resources, budget and/or activities
Executing the Project
3. Manage changes to baseline project
plan



Slipped completion dates
Changes in personnel
New activities
4. Maintain project workbook
5. Communicate project status
Closing Down the Project
1. Termination

Types of termination

Natural


Unnatural



Requirements have been met
Project stopped
Documentation
Personnel Appraisal
Closing Down the Project
2. Conduct post-project reviews

Determine strengths and weaknesses of

Project deliverables
 Project management process
 Development process
3. Close customer contract
Commercial Project
Management Software
Many systems are available
Three activities required to use:



Establish project start or end date
Enter tasks and assign task relationships
Select scheduling method to review project
reports