The initiation process of a project that must occur prior to the start of the project. A person in a place of power to make decisions in the organization (ex. CEO, Vice President) must approve the project overview.
Defining the scope of the project is the next step in initiating a project. A scope is how big or small a project is supposed to be. Project Deliverables would be next to be reviewed. Project Deliverables are the outcomes when the project is completed. The last step in initiating a project is creating a project charter.
The following information to follow is taken from the following scenario and described as it would be on a Project Charter. “Project Scenario: You are the project manager for company that manufactures communication applications for cell phones and digital TVs. As a project manager, you have been assigned an in-house project of refreshing your company’s computer and cell phones for all employees within the next year. The company employs 5,000 employees who telecommute and are located in North and South America.Each employee is supplied with a company-owned laptop computer and cell phone.
Your supervisor just notified you that it’s time to upgrade the computers and cell phones at the company. You are in charge of the SuperDuper XXII Computer and Cell Change-out Project, scheduled to start next year on Jan. 1 and completed by Oct. 1. (Changed to July 1 as start date April 1 as the end date due to chat sessions for phase 2 projects) The budget has not yet been established, but a few givens: The new computer retails at $1,000 each, with a 10% discount.
The software upgrades will run about $500 per computer. You are considering hiring an outsourcing firm and initial project proposals from three vendors show an average cost range of $200,000-$300,000 for a turnkey operation. The IT department includes 350 employees. You plan on using 10% of the in-house staff to help with the project rollout. ”(Task List Phase 1) The Purpose of the Refresh project is that the project will upgrade all of the company’s computers and phone systems to the latest version technology can offer.This project will produce the latest technology to our customers at Communication App.
’s for Cell Phones & Digital TV’s as well as allow our systems the best they can offer. The Objectives of the project is to be able to improve Communication App. ’s for Cell Phones & Digital TV’s communication between offices and employees. The success criterion is to insure that Communication App.
’s for Cell Phones & Digital TV’s stay competitive in the technology business world. Create a better relationship with loyal customers and create new ones.The high-level requirements from Gregg Standoff, CEO of Communication App. ’s for Cell Phones & Digital TV’s include, approval of funding and training as well the approval to use 350 employees from the IT staff, and setting limitations.
The stakeholder for this project is Gregg Standoff, CEO of Communication App. ’s for Cell Phones & Digital TV’s. Gregg Standoff can positively impact the project by allowing proper time and funding to the project. He can also affect it negatively by lowering funding, decreasing the time allotted, or throwing the entire project away.Phase 2 Individual Project Paper The Gantt Chart is defined as “A bar chart of schedule information where activities are listed on the vertical axis, dates are shown on the horizontal axis, and activity durations are shown as horizontal bars placed according to start and finish dates. ” (PMBOK) Advantages of using the Gantt Charts is it forces the organization of duties and times allotted for the duties.
The chart assists people involved in the project with obtaining the needed information just by simply viewing the Gantt Charts. A disadvantage f using the Gantt Chart is it can become very complex for larger projects and prove to be confusing when trying to see the start and finish and the times allotted for each portion of the project. You also are unable to see what resources are required for the tasks listed in the bars. As with most project changes occur and the Gantt Charts can become confusing when applying these changes to the chart.
The Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) Charts is “A technique for estimating that applies a weighted average of optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely estimates when there is uncertainty with the individual activity estimates. (PMBOK) An advantage of the PERT Chart is that it makes managing a large project easier. It answers questions that are important to the project. For example how long it will take to complete a portion of a project, what comes after that portion is completed, and how the completion will affect the organization. A disadvantage to the PERT chart is that you use this chart to predict how much time will need to be taken to complete the project as changes occur and the PERT chart grows it becomes difficult to clearly understand how much time is actually needed.
The Critical Path Method (CPM) is “A method used to estimate the minimum project duration and determine the amount of scheduling flexibility on the logical network paths within the scheduled model. ” (PMBOK) An advantage of using CPM is that when changes occur during a project CPM will help in adjusting those changes and not affecting the completion date. A disadvantage of the CPM is it does not show how resources are used during a project.Please note that for this assignment I researched different job listings and descriptions to be able to identify what each person needs to do, as I have never worked with a computer software team.
Definitions Project Manager: A professional whom oversees a project and the projects objectives. They see the project from the initiation phase, the project execution and the closing of a project. The Project manager oversees the entire project.The project manager’s skills that are necessary to complete a software upgrade project are many. First, Information Technology and programing skills.
Organizational skills are also necessary for a project manager in charge of a software upgrade project. Time and project management are not just necessary for a project manager in charge of software upgrade project but for any project manager.Other skills needed are structured and delivery-focused approach, Diligent and responsible approach with a strong focus on accuracy and attention to detail, Ability to direct and supervise work of others and operate in a team environment, Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, and Self-development skills to keep-up-to-date with fast-changing trends. Software Architect: A professional computer programmer who composes sophisticated design choices and imposes technical standards, incorporating software coding standards, tools, and platforms. The Software Architect oversees the software development.Skills needed for a Software Architect are Designing user interaction models, workflows and user interfaces, Integrating internal and external product design into a cohesive user experience, Creating prototypes and authoring detailed interaction specifications, Working with user experience researchers to design and observe usability studies, Translating usability and field research findings into design improvements, Working with visual designers to improve and refine product visual design and consistency, and Successfully communicating conceptual ideas and design rationale.
Software Developer:A professional who focuses on the software development process. The Software developer creates the software and corrects any errors found by the testers. Skills needed for a Software Developer are Expertise in current computer hardware and software, Ability to use one or more development language (C++, PHP, HTML, etc. ), Strong communication skills, Ability to work in a team, Eye for detail and identifying problems, An understanding of business, and Analytical and commercial experience.
Software Installers: An individual who will install software programs into an organizations systems.Skills needed for a Software Installer are Strong electrical and mechanical abilities are required, Capable of performing the same work operations/job activities as a Level 3 Installer, Capable of performing as the Installation Suppliers in-charge person, Capable of performing additions, removals, wiring connections and modifications on work equipment and circuits, Ability to read, analyze and interpret business, technical and governmental documents and instructions, Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals, Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients and customers, and Basic knowledge and use of MS Office applications. Software Trainers: A person/persons whom will provide adequate training for proper use of new systems. Skills needed for a software trainer are Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. Instructing - Teaching others how to do something. Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Software Testers: A person/persons who will test the software for any problems and to ensure the programs will work properly for the organization.
Skills needed for a Software Tester are Testing knowledge (Verification and Validation concepts), Technical knowledge (Basic knowledge on Operating System, Database Concepts, Networking and so on) without which one may not be able to test the build, Domain Knowledge (eg - banking, insurance, medical), Software Development Process, and Communication (Oral and Written). In conclusion each person with their individual skills set is what is going to make this project a success. Every person relies on another to be able to complete their piece of the project. For example the project manager needs to have the Software Architect, the Software Developer, the Software Installers, the Software Testers, and the Software Trainers to execute the plan appropriately with success.The Software Architect needs the software developer to put his computer program into a working program.
The software developer needs to have the software testers to insure the program created works successfully. The software architect, software developer and the software installers all need the software trainers to teach other employees of the organization how to use the software properly. As well as train the marketing department on including the new software in there marketing techniques to the customers/stakeholders. If the team did not consist of all of these people there would be immediate problems and the project would be virtually a failure.
