Systems Analysis and Design 8th Edition

Chapter 3Managing Systems Projects

Chapter Objectives

• Explain techniques for estimating task completion times and costs

• Describe various scheduling tools, including Gantt charts and PERT/CPM charts

• Analyze task dependencies, durations, start dates, and end dates

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Chapter Objectives

• Identify examples of project management software and explain how these programs can assist you in project planning, estimating, scheduling, monitoring, and reporting

• Explain software change control• Understand why projects sometimes fail

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Introduction

• You will learn about project planning, estimating, scheduling, monitoring, reporting, and the use of project management software

• You also will learn how to control and manage project changes as they occur

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Project Management Overview

• Project Management• A successful project must be completed on

time, within budget, and deliver a quality product that satisfies users and meets requirements

• Project manager or project leader• Project coordinator

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Project Management Overview

• Project managers typically perform four main tasks:– Project planning– Project scheduling– Project monitoring and controlling– Project reporting

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Project Planning

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Project Planning

• Identifying Tasks– One important variable is the size of the project,

because the amount of work increases dramatically as project scope increases

– A project that is twice as large will be much more than twice as complex

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Project Planning

• Identifying Tasks– Multiple interactions can

lead to misunderstandings and delay

– Project creep– The capabilities of

project team members also affect time requirements

– Brooks Law

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Project Planning

• Estimating Task Completion Time and Cost– Person-days– Some tasks can be divided evenly so it is possible

to use different combinations of time and people, up to a point

– In most systems analysis tasks, however, time and people are not interchangeable

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Project Planning

• Estimating Task Completion Time and Cost– Best-case estimate (B)– Probable-case estimate (P)– Worst-case estimate (W)– Weight– Expected task duration:

(B+4P+W) 6

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Project Planning

• Factors Affecting Time and Cost Estimates– Project size and scope– IT resources– Prior experience with similar projects or systems– Applicable constraints

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Project Scheduling

• A project schedule is a specific timetable• Project scheduling also involves selecting and

staffing the project team, assigning specific tasks to team members, and arranging for other necessary resources

• Must balance task time estimates, sequences, and personnel assignments

• Several graphical planning aids can help

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Gantt Charts

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PERT/CPM Charts

• The Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT)

• Critical Path Method (CPM) • The distinctions between the two methods

have disappeared over time, and today the technique is called either PERT, CPM, or PERT/CPM

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PERT/CPM Charts

• Overview of PERT/CPM– PERT/CPM is called a bottom-up technique– Project tasks– Once you know the tasks, their duration, and the

order in which they must be performed, you can calculate the time that it will take to complete the project

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PERT/CPM Charts

• PERT/CPM Tasks– Task box– Task ID– Task name– Task Duration– Start Day/Date– Finish Day/Date

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PERT/CPM Charts

• Task Patterns– Dependent Tasks– Multiple successor tasks• Concurrent task• Predecessor task• Successor task

– Multiple Predecessor Tasks

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PERT/CPM Charts

• Complex Task Patterns– When various task patterns combine, you must

study the facts carefully in order to understand the logical sequence

– A project schedule will not be accurate unless the underlying task pattern is logically correct

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PERT/CPM Charts

• A PERT/CPM Example with Five Tasks

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PERT/CPM Charts

• Critical Path– Slack time – If any task along the critical path falls behind

schedule, the entire project is delayed– A critical path includes all tasks that are vital to

the project schedule– If necessary, a project manager can reassign

resources to keep the project on schedule

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PERT/CPM Charts

• Transforming a Task List into a PERT/CPM Chart

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PERT/CPM Charts

• Transforming a Task List into a PERT/CPM Chart

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PERT/CPM Charts

• Comparing Gantt Charts and PERT/CPM– Although a Gantt chart offers a rapid overview

that graphically displays the timing, duration, and progress of each task, many project managers find PERT/CPM charts more helpful for scheduling, monitoring, and controlling projects

– PERT/CPM and Gantt charts are not mutually exclusive techniques

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Project Risk Management

• Every IT project involves risks that systems analysts and project managers must address

• Risk management• Steps in Risk Management– Develop risk management plan– Identify the risks• Risk identification

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Project Risk Management

• Steps in Risk Management– Analyze the risks

• Qualitative risk analysis• Quantitative risk analysis

– Create a risk response plan

– Monitor risks

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Project Risk Management

• Risk Management Software Tools– Most project management software programs,

such as Microsoft Project, contain various tools that a project manager can use

– The IT team can make a recommendation regarding the risks

– Depending on the nature and magnitude of the risk, the final decision might be made by management

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Project Monitoring and Control

• Monitoring and Control Techniques– The project manager must keep track of tasks and

progress of team members, compare actual progress with the project plan, verify the completion of project milestones, and set standards and ensure that they are followed

– Structured walkthrough– Called design reviews, code reviews, or testing

reviews

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Project Monitoring and Control

• Maintaining a Schedule– Maintaining a project schedule can be a

challenging task– The better the original plan, the easier it will be to

control the project– If enough milestones and frequent checkpoints

exist, problems will be detected rapidly– Project managers often spend most of their time

tracking the tasks along the critical path

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Project Reporting

• Project Status Meetings

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Project Reporting

• Project Status Reports– A project manager must report regularly to his or

her immediate supervisor, upper management, and users

– Should explain what you are doing to handle and monitor the problem

– Most managers recognize that problems do occur on most projects; it is better to alert management sooner rather than later

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Project Management Software

• Project Management Software Examples– Microsoft Office Project

2007– Open Workbench– Open-source software

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Project Management Software

• A Sample Project Using Microsoft Project and Open Workbench

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Project Management Software

• A Sample Project Using Microsoft Project and Open Workbench

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Software Change Control

• Software Change Control• A procedure for processing requests for

changes to an information system’s requirements consists of four steps:

• Complete a change request form• Take initial action on the request• Analyze the impact of the requested change• Determine the disposition of the requested change

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Keys to Project Success

• Business Issues– The major objective of every system is to provide

a solution to a business problem or opportunity– A system that falls short of business needs also

produces problems for users and reduces employee morale and productivity

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Keys to Project Success

• Budget Issues– Cost overruns typically result from one or more of

the following:• Unrealistic estimates• Failure to develop an accurate TCO forecast • Poor monitoring of progress and inadequate reaction to

early signs of problems• Schedule delays due to unanticipated factors• Human resource factors

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Keys to Project Success

• Schedule Issues– Problems with timetables and project milestones

can indicate a failure to recognize task dependencies, confusion between effort and progress, poor monitoring and control methods, personality conflicts among team members, or turnover of project personnel

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Keys to Project Success

• Successful Project Management– When problems occur, the project manager’s

ability to handle the situation becomes the critical factor

– Sometimes, when a project experiences delays or cost overruns, the system still can be delivered on time and within budget if several less critical requirements are trimmed

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Keys to Project Success

• Successful Project Management– If a project is in trouble because of a lack of

resources or organizational support, management might be willing to give the project more commitment and higher priority

– A typical response is to push back the completion date

– Option only if the original target date is flexible and the extension will not create excessive costs or other problems

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Chapter Summary

• Project management is the process of planning, scheduling, monitoring and controlling, and reporting upon the development of an information system

• Begins with identifying and planning all specific tasks or activities

• Can use graphical tools such as Gantt charts and PERT/CPM charts to assist in the scheduling process

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Chapter Summary

• Project managers are responsible for risk management

• Every successful information system must support business requirements, stay within budget, and be available on time

• Sound project management involves the same skills as any type of management

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Chapter Summary

• Chapter 3 complete

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