Managing the Information Systems Project :Managing the Information Systems Project MIS 461: Structured System Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko


Learning Objectives :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 2 Learning Objectives Discuss skills required to be an effective project manager Describe skills and activities of a project manager during project initiation, planning, execution and closedown Explain Gantt and Pert charts Review commercial project management software packages


Managing the Information Systems Project :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 3 Managing the Information Systems Project to meet customer expectations, constraints and requirements in a timely manner The principal goal of project management is


Managing the Information Systems Project :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 4 is the Systems Analyst responsible for Project initiation Planning Execution Closing down Must have a diverse set of skills Management Leadership Technical Conflict management Customer relations Managing the Information Systems Project Project Manager…


Why Do Projects Fail or Underachieve? :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 5 Why Do Projects Fail or Underachieve? < 25% have well-defined and consistently practiced project management processes < 25% have formal estimating methods <25% create manageable tasks (say <40 hours) with clear deliverables and due dates at least every 2 weeks most project managers spend 80% of their time in execution instead of in project start-up, risk assessment, scoping scope creep is rampant


Habits of Highly Effective Developers :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 6 Habits of Highly Effective Developers Prepare 3 time and cost estimates (worst, best, estimated cases) and compare to actuals Use standard notations and methodologies Use CASE and other automated project management and control tools Use JAD Use a formal change-request process Use experts wisely Measure productivity and defect removal Reuse components Institute version control and configuration management Design and test for usability Practice code inspections and walk-throughs Source: CIO, April 15, 1996, p. 67


Project Management Process :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 7 Project Management Process Project Planned undertaking of related activities to reach an objective that has a beginning and an end Four Phases Initiation Planning Execution Closing down


Initiating the Project :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 8 Initiating the Project Establish project initiation team Establish relationship with customer Establish project initiation plan Establish management procedures Establish project management environment and workbook


Planning the Project :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 9 Planning the Project Describe project scope, alternatives and feasibility Understand the project What problem is addressed What results are to be achieved Measures of success Completion criteria


Planning the Project :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 10 Planning the Project Divide the project into manageable tasks Work breakdown structure (e.g. Gantt chart)


Planning the Project :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 11 Planning the Project Estimate resources and create a resource plan. Develop a preliminary schedule Utilize Gantt and PERT charts


Planning the Project :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 12 Planning the Project Develop a communication plan Outline communication processes among customers, team members and management Types of reports Frequency of reports Determine project standards and procedures Specify how deliverables are tested and produced Identify and assess risk Identify sources of risk Estimate consequences of risk Create a preliminary budget Develop a statement of work Describe what the project will deliver Set a baseline project plan Estimate of project’s tasks and resources


Executing the Project :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 13 Executing the Project Execute baseline project plan Acquire and assign resources Train new team members Keep project on schedule Monitor project progress Adjust resources, budget and/or activities Manage changes to baseline project plan Slipped completion dates Changes in personnel New activities Maintain project workbook Communicate project status


Closing Down the Project :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 14 Closing Down the Project Termination Types of termination Natural Requirements have been met Unnatural Project stopped Documentation Personnel Appraisal Conduct post-project reviews Determine strengths and weaknesses of Project deliverables Project management process Development process Close customer contract


Representing and Scheduling Project Plans :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 15 Representing and Scheduling Project Plans Gantt Charts Useful for depicting simple projects or parts of large projects Show start and completion dates for individual tasks PERT Charts Show order of activities Pert is often used in information system development because Of lesser emphasis on task direction.


Pine Valley Furniture :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 16 Pine Valley Furniture Manufacturing Company Product: Wood Furniture Market: US Organized into functional areas Manufacturing Sales Orders Accounting Purchasing Three independent computer systems were converted to a database in 1990’s


Gantt and PERT Charts for Pine Valley Furniture :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 17 Gantt and PERT Charts for Pine Valley Furniture Steps Identify each activity Requirements Collection Screen Design Report Design Database Design User documentation Software programming Installation and testing


Gantt and PERT Charts for Pine Valley Furniture :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 18 Gantt and PERT Charts for Pine Valley Furniture Determine time estimates and expected completion times for each activity.


Gantt and PERT Charts for Pine Valley Furniture :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 19 Gantt and PERT Charts for Pine Valley Furniture 3. Determine sequence of activities


Slide 20:MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 20 1 ET=5 TE=ET=5 2 3 4 5 7 8 6 ET=6 ET=6 ET=2 ET=5.5 ET=5 ET=3 ET=1 TE=5+6=11 TE=5+6=11 TE=13 TE=13+5.5=18.5 TE=13+5=18 TE=18+3=21 TE=22 TE=11+2=13 Or TE=11+2=13 TE=18.5+1=19.5 Or TE=21+1=22


Slide 21:MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 21 1 ET=5 2 3 4 5 7 8 6 ET=6 ET=6 ET=2 ET=5.5 ET=5 ET=3 ET=1 TE for last node Becomes TL TL=22 TL= 22-1=21 TL= 22-1=21 TL=21-3=18 TL=21-5.5 =15.5 Or TL=18-5=13 TL=13-2=11 TL=13-2=11 TL=5 TL=13 TL=11-6=5 Or TL=11-6=5


Gantt and PERT Charts for Pine Valley Furniture :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 22 Gantt and PERT Charts for Pine Valley Furniture


Commercial Project Management Software :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 23 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


Summary :MIS 461 Structured Systems Analysis and Design Dr. A.T. Jarmoszko Managing the Information Systems Project Page 24 Summary Skills of an effective project manager Activities of project manager Initiation Planning Execution Closedown Gantt and PERT Charts Commercial PM Software