Modern Systems Analysis and Design

Third Edition

Jeffrey A. Hoffer Joey F. George Joseph S. Valacich

Chapter 3 Managing the Information Systems Project

3.1 3.1

Copyright 2002 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Learning Objectives
Explain the process of managing an
information systems project 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
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Figure 3-1 Three computer applications at Pine Valley Furniture: Order Filling, Invoicing, and Payroll (Source: Hoffer, Prescott, and McFadden, 2002)

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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 1990s

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Managing the Information Systems Project

Focus of project management

To ensure that information system projects meet customer expectations

Delivered in a timely manner Meet time constraints and requirements

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Managing the Information Systems Project

Project Manager

Systems Analyst responsible for:

Project initiation Planning Execution Closing down

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Managing the Information Systems Project

Project Manager

Activities include:
Management Leadership Technical Problem solving Conflict management Customer relations Team management Risk and change management

Project Management Process

Project

Planned undertaking of related activities to reach an objective that has a beginning and an end Initiation Planning Execution Closing down

Four Phases

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Initiating the Project

Establish project initiation team Establish relationship with customer Establish project initiation plan Establish management procedures Establish project management environment and workbook

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Planning the Project

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

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Planning the Project

Divide the project into manageable tasks
Work breakdown structure Gantt chart

Estimate resources and create a resource plan Develop a preliminary schedule

Utilize Gantt and PERT charts
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Planning the Project

Develop a communication plan

Outline communication processes among customers, team members and management

Determine project standards and procedures

Specify how deliverables are tested and produced

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Planning the Project

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 and duration Estimate of projects tasks and resources

Set a Baseline Project Plan

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Executing the Project

Execute Baseline Project Plan

Acquire and assign resources Train new team members Keep project on schedule Adjust resources, budget and/or activities

Monitor project progress

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Executing the Project

Manage changes to Baseline Project Plan

Slipped completion dates Changes in personnel New activities Bungled activities

Maintain project workbook Communicate project status

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Closing Down the Project

Termination

Types of termination
Natural

Requirements have been met Project stopped

Unnatural

Documentation Personnel Appraisal

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Closing Down the Project

Conduct post-project reviews

Determine strengths and weaknesses of:

Project deliverables Project management process Development process

Close customer contract

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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 Show order of activities

PERT Charts

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Figure 3-16 Graphical diagrams that depict project plans (a) A Gantt Chart (b) A PERT chart

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Comparison of Gantt and PERT Charts

Gantt

PERT

Visually shows duration of tasks Visually shows time overlap between tasks Visually shows slack time

Visually shows dependencies between tasks Visually shows which tasks can be done in parallel Shows slack time by data in rectangles

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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

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Gantt and PERT Charts for Pine Valley Furniture

Determine time estimates and expected completion times for each activity Determine sequence of activities Determine critical path
Sequence of events that will affect the final

project delivery date

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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

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Summary
Skills of an effective project manager Activities of project manager

Initiation Planning Execution Closedown

Gantt and PERT Charts Commercial Project Management Software

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