Chapter 4Information System Project Management

Introduction

Some problems that org faced with IS dev efforts include schedule delays, cost overrun, less functionality than planned and org disruption.

Ways to minimize risk associated with IS dev risks are:▪ Align IS plans with organizational strategy▪ Define the problem or opportunity clearly▪ Assess and reassess project feasibility▪ Apply appropriate project mgt techniques

Information System Project Mgt It is an going process of directing and

coordinating all phases of the SDLC Its objective is to deliver a system that is

acceptable to users that is developed within time and budget

It is the process of planning, scheduling and controlling activities during SDLC

Planning Project manager will plan the system

project by specifying the tasks that must be done in terms of time, budget and staff

The next step is to determined the the duration of the system project tasks

Estimating involved the amount and complexity of work to be done in the task. The info is used to determine the resources needed to complete the work.

Estimates can be done through historical info Time estimates usually expressed in person-days

Scheduling After estimating time needed, project manager

will schedule the tasks. It means determining the dependency of the

tasks Some task can start simultaneously e.g. At the

same time, Some task must wait upon the completion of

their predecessor task

Some task finish at the same time A popular scheduling tool is the use of

Gantt Chart. It is a graphical tool shows tasks done against time

It allows us to assess how long the project should take, determine resources needed and lay out the order which tasks must be carried out

Tracking and monitoring It means comparing actual progress of

the system project to plan Project plan is monitored during the life

of the project to observe:▪ Actual starting and completion dates of task▪ The use of resources ▪ Level of expenditure in each task▪ The quality of output▪ Availability of resources

When project in progress, Gantt Charts are useful for monitoring the project’s progress. It can show what have been achieved at a point in time

For more complex project, Project Evaluation Review Technique (PERT) and Critical Path Method may be necessary to control dev process. It is used to estimates, schedule and manage a network of interdependent project tasks.

The advantages of PERT/CPM over Gantt Chart is the easier identification of the order of precedence, critical path and critical tasks and easier determination of slack time

Any variations from plans are analyzed and appropriate corrective action is taken

Reporting There are 3 types of reports:▪ Variance reports▪ The most important indicator of the need for some

kind of control interventions▪ It can refer to the overall project or specific tasks

within the project or specific tasks. However, it’s less useful in identifying what is causing the problem

▪ Status report▪ Is often an open-ended report that details the

process that led to current project sate

▪ Resource allocation report▪ Identifies the resources in terms of person-hours,

equipment etc that are applied specific project task▪ Status and resource report are more helpful to

project manager in determining the source and possible correction of project problem

IS Project Manager

Skills of good project manager Leadership skill▪ Ability to influence through personality or actions▪ Need to set and keep direction long enough for

progress to be made Communication skill▪ Eg to persuade and inspire to get things done,

need to communicate regularly and openly with variety of people have to communicate with user and mgt to more effectively determine requirements and present findings to mgt

Delegating skill Is about handing over authority The key to controlling delegation is to:▪ Establish what the task are▪ How the should be completed▪ Determine the final outcome before assigning tasks to

project team Negotiation skill

Must know how to negotiate with anger and conflict that arise

Must navigate carefully through relationships to reconcile differences, achieve win-win situation and sustain goodwill