ItpmBasic Concepts in Project Management 1

8/3/2019 ItpmBasic Concepts in Project Management 1

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What is a project?

A temporary endeavor undertake to create a unique Product ,

Service or Result PMBOK Guide 2004

It is a planned activity

Attributes of a Project

1. A project has a specific objectives

2. A project is temporary with a predetermine time span

3. A project is carried out in phases using progressive elaboration

4. A project uses resources that are normally constrained

5. A project should have a primary customer or sponsor

6. A project involves uncertainty

7. A project is usually large or complex


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Which of the following appear to fulfill the description of project?

Arrange it in order that closely meets the attributes of a project

1. Writing an article for a newspaper

2. Building a university campus

3. A case study assignment for a final year student

4. Developing student information system

5. A fishing trip

6. Amending student examination system to meet the new grading system

7. Getting married

8. Installing an anti-virus software in an organization

9. An investigation on the poor performance of campus WLAN

10. A research project into what makes a good portal


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Information Technology projects involve using hardware, software, and/or

Networks to create a product, service or result

Examples of IT projects

Add a new feature to a personnel information system

Upgrade network infrastructure to provide wireless internet access across

the whole campus

Install new email system for the organization

Develop a new system to monitor staff performance

Upgrade servers and PCs in the campus

A government department develops a website to streamline procurement


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Information Technology Project Management, Fourth Edition 4

The Triple Constraint

Every project is constrained in different ways

by its:

Scope goals: What work will be done?

Time goals: How long should it take to

complete?

Cost goals: What should it cost?

It is the project managers duty to balance

these three often-competing goals.


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The Triple Constraint of Project

Management

Successful projectmanagement means

meeting all three

goals (scope, time,

and cost) and

satisfying the

projects sponsor!


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The Triple Constraint

Figure 1.3


7/17Information Technology Project Management, Fourth Edition 7

What is Project Management?

Project managementis the application of

knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to

project activities to meet projectrequirements.*



Figure 1-2. Project Management

Framework


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Project Management Body of Knowledge Areas

Figure 1.8



Project Stakeholders

Stakeholders are the people involved in oraffected by project activities.

Stakeholders include:

Project sponsor

Project manager

Project team

Support staff

Customers Users

Suppliers

Opponents to the project


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Project Management Tools and

Techniques Project management tools and techniques

assist project managers and their teams in

various aspects of project management.

Specific tools and techniques include: Project charters, scope statements, and WBS

(scope).

Gantt charts, network diagrams, critical pathanalyses, critical chain scheduling (time).

Cost estimates and earned value management

(cost).



Project Management Software

There are currently hundreds of different products to

assist in performing project management.

Three main categories of tools: Low-end tools: Handle single or smaller projects well;

cost under $200 per user.

Midrange tools: Handle multiple projects and users; cost

$200-500 per user; Project 2003 most popular (includes

an enterprise version).

High-end tools: Also called enterprise project

management software; often licensed on a per-user

basis; VPMi Enterprise Online (www.vcsonline.com).



Tools: Gantt Chart



Figure 1-6. Sample Enterprise Project

Management Tool



Project Success Factors*

1. Executive support2. User involvement

3. Experienced project

manager4. Clear business

objectives

5. Minimized scope

6. Standard software

infrastructure

7. Firm basicrequirements

8. Formal methodology

9. Reliable estimates10. Other criteria, such

as small milestones,

proper planning,competent staff, and

ownership*The Standish Group, Extreme CHAOS (2001).



Project Success Factors*

1. Executive support2. User involvement

3. Experienced project

manager4. Clear business

objectives

5. Minimized scope6. Standard software

infrastructure

7. Firm basicrequirements

8. Formal methodology

9. Reliable estimates10. Other criteria, such

as small milestones,

proper planning,competent staff, and

ownership*The Standish Group, Extreme CHAOS (2001).


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Table 1-3. Fifteen Project Management Job

Functions* Define scope of project.

Identify stakeholders,

decision-makers, and

escalation procedures.

Develop detailed task list

(work breakdownstructures).

Estimate time requirements.

Develop initial project

management flow chart.

Identify required resources

and budget.

Evaluate project

requirements.

Identify and evaluate risks.

Prepare contingency plan.

Identify interdependencies.

Identify and track critical

milestones.

Participate in project phase

review.

Secure needed resources.

Manage the change control

process.

Report project status.Information Technology Project Management Fourth Edition 17

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ItpmBasic Concepts in Project Management 1