PLANNING PHASE TOPIC 2 ACTIVITY

After reading or browsing of the first module and chapter discussion provided, answer the following
questions based on your understanding.

As much as possible, answers should be on your own words and not copied from any book or article in
the internet. Answers per item should be at least 30 words but not to exceed 100 words.

1. Describe the major elements and issues with Agile Development.

2. Why do many projects end up having unreasonable deadlines? How should a project manager
react to unreasonable demands?
3. Some companies hire consulting firms to develop the initial project plans and manage the
project, but use their own analysts and programmers to develop the system. Why do you
think some companies do this?

Case Study:

I was once on a project to develop a system that should have taken a year to build. Instead, the
business need demanded that the system be ready within 5 months—impossible! On the first day
of the project, the project manager drew a triangle on a white board to illustrate some tradeoffs
that he expected to occur over the course of the project. The corners of the triangle were labeled
Functionality, Time, and Money. The manager explained, “We have too little time. We have an
unlimited budget. We will not be measured by the bells and whistles that this system contains. So
over the next several weeks, I want you as developers to keep this triangle in mind and do
everything it takes to meet this 5-month deadline.” At the end of the 5 months, the project was
delivered on time; however, the project was incredibly over budget, and the final product was
“thrown away” after it was used because it was unfit for regular usage. Remarkably, the business
users felt that the project was very successful because it met the very specific business needs for
which it was built. They believed that the trade-offs that were made were worthwhile.

1. What are the risks in stressing only one corner of the triangle?
2. How would you have managed this project? Can you think of another approach that might have
been more effective?

Late turn-in of papers will not be accepted after the deadline. Deadline of submission will be on
September 4, 11:59pm.