Project Management in Information Systems
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of a project manager in an information systems project?

  • To be responsible for initiating, planning, executing, and closing down a project (correct)
  • To develop new software
  • To ensure technical specifications are met
  • To manage customer relationships only

    • Effective project management is less important than technical skills in information systems development.

    False

    List one key skill that a project manager should possess.

    Leadership skills

    A project is defined as a planned undertaking of related activities to reach an objective that has a __________ and an end.

    <p>beginning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following project management activities with their descriptions:

    <p>Initiation = Starting the project and defining its scope Planning = Developing a detailed plan to achieve project goals Execution = Carrying out the project plan Closedown = Completing the project and finalizing documents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which tool is commonly used to help represent and manage project schedules?

    <p>Project management software</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Critical path scheduling is used to identify the longest sequence of tasks in a project.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the formula for calculating the Estimated Time (ET) using the PERT technique?

    <p>ET = (o + 4r + p)/6</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In Critical Path Scheduling, the critical path contains no activities with slack time.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of slack time in project scheduling?

    <p>Slack time indicates the amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the project's completion time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The estimated time for a task is calculated using optimistic (o), pessimistic (p), and __________ (r) time estimates.

    <p>realistic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Critical Path = The shortest time in which a project can be completed Slack Time = The time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project PERT = Techniques using optimistic, pessimistic, and realistic estimates Network Diagram = Visual representation of project activities and dependencies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a Statement of Work (SOW)?

    <p>To serve as a contract between the IS staff and the customer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Baseline Project Plan (BPP) includes estimates of scope, but not risks.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does WBS stand for in project planning?

    <p>Work Breakdown Structure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A _____ chart represents task durations using horizontal bars.

    <p>Gantt</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match each component of project planning with its purpose:

    <p>Statement of Work = Contract between IS staff and customer Baseline Project Plan = Estimation of scope, schedules, and costs Preliminary Budget = Cost-benefit analysis of expenses and revenues Work Breakdown Structure = Division into manageable tasks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT part of project planning tasks?

    <p>Design the user interface</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Network diagrams use boxes and links to represent task dependencies.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the abbreviation PM stand for in project management context?

    <p>Project Management</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The initial planning detail should be high in the _____ term.

    <p>short</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which task involves evaluating the feasibility of project options?

    <p>Define project scope</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of executing the baseline project plan?

    <p>To implement the project as initially planned</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Gantt charts can show task dependencies.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What document typically maintains the project's status and changes?

    <p>Project workbook</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In project management, a _____ chart visually represents the progression of a project and its tasks over time.

    <p>Gantt</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following project communication methods with their levels of formality:

    <p>Newsletters = High Formality Meetings = Medium Formality Bulletin boards = Low Formality Specification documents = High Formality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following actions is NOT a part of the project closedown phase?

    <p>Monitor progress against baseline plan</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Slack time indicates the total time that you can delay a task without delaying the project.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are two key uses of Gantt charts in project management?

    <p>Show task durations and show time overlap</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During project execution, it is important to _____ changes in the baseline plan appropriately.

    <p>manage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following tools is used to show task dependencies?

    <p>Network Diagram</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first deliverable of the SDLC lifecycle?

    <p>System Service Request (SSR)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Project management involves only the planning and execution phases.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two primary reasons for undertaking systems development projects?

    <p>To take advantage of business opportunities and to solve business problems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A __________ study determines whether a requested system is economically and operationally viable for an organization.

    <p>feasibility</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following phases of project management with their descriptions:

    <p>Phase 1 = Initiation - Assess project size and scope Phase 2 = Planning - Develop project plans and schedules Phase 3 = Execution - Carry out the project tasks Phase 4 = Closedown - Complete and evaluate the project</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component is NOT part of the project initiation activities?

    <p>Developing marketing strategies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The project management environment is established during the execution phase.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name the document that contains nine key components of a project.

    <p>Project workbook</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In project management, a controlled process involves initiating, planning, executing, and __________ down a project.

    <p>closing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of a System Service Request (SSR)?

    <p>To propose systems development work</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    IT 352: Information Systems Analysis and Design

    • Course taught by Haifa Alhasson in 2020
    • Course covers Information Systems Analysis and Design

    Brief List of Topics

    • Overview of Information System development environment
    • Managing the Information Systems Project
    • Identifying and Selecting Systems Development Projects
    • Initiating and Planning Systems Development Projects
    • Determining system requirements
    • Structuring System Process Requirements
    • Designing information systems
    • System Implementation
    • Maintaining Information Systems

    Chapter 3: Managing the Information Systems Project

    • Learning Objectives:
      • Explain the process of managing an information systems project
      • Describe skills required for effective project management
      • List and describe project manager skills and activities during initiation, planning, execution, and closedown
      • Explain critical path scheduling and Gantt charts/network diagrams
      • Explain how commercial project management software can assist in managing project schedules

    Importance of Project Management

    • Project management is crucial for systems development
    • Effective project management ensures customer expectations are met and budget/time constraints are satisfied
    • Project management skills are challenging but essential

    Managing the Information Systems Project

    • Project: A planned undertaking of related activities to achieve an objective with a defined beginning and end
    • Project Manager: Systems analyst with diverse skills (management, leadership, technical, conflict management, customer relations) who is responsible for initiating, planning, executing, and closing a project

    Pine Valley Application Project

    • Example project involving order filling, invoicing, and payroll systems at Pine Valley Furniture

    Managing the Information Systems Project (cont.)

    • Systems development projects are undertaken to take advantage of business opportunities and solve business problems
    • Deliverable Product: The end product of an SDLC phase

    Project Management Activities

    • A project manager manages numerous activities including technological change, systems development lifecycle, organizational change and complexity, customer and management expectations, the art of project management, contractors and vendors, documentation and communication, managing people, time and resource constraints, and methodologies and tools

    Phases of Project Management Process

    • Phase 1: Initiation
    • Phase 2: Planning
    • Phase 3: Execution
    • Phase 4: Closedown

    PM Phase 1: Project Initiation

    • Assess project size, scope, and complexity, establishing procedures
    • Establish initiation team, relationship with customer, project initiation plan, management procedures, project management environment, and project workbook

    PM Phase 2: Project Planning

    • Define clear project activities and the required work to complete each activity
    • Tasks: Define project scope, alternatives, feasibility, divide project into tasks, estimate resource requirements, develop preliminary schedules and communication plans, determine standards, identify and assess risk, create preliminary budget, develop statement of work, and create baseline project plan

    Planning Detail

    • Level of project planning detail should be high initially, with less detail as the project timeline extends

    Some Components of Project Planning

    • Statement of Work (SOW): Contract between IS staff and customer
    • The Baseline Project Plan (BPP): Contains scope, benefits, schedules, costs, risks, and resource requirements
    • Preliminary Budget: Outlines planned expenses and revenues; Cost- benefit analysis
    • Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): Dividing the project into manageable tasks
    • Scheduling Diagrams: Gantt chart (horizontal bars representing task durations) and network diagram (boxes and links representing task dependencies)

    Scheduling Diagrams Gantt Chart

    • Gantt chart visually displays project tasks, durations, and task dependencies in a project management software such as Microsoft project

    Scheduling Diagrams Network Diagram

    • Network diagram illustrates task dependencies with rectangles or ovals and relationships through arrows in project management software such as Microsoft project

    Estimating Task Duration

    • PERT: Program Evaluation Review Technique that determines expected task duration using optimistic, pessimistic, and realistic time estimates

    • Formula: Expected time (ET) = (optimistic + 4 * realistic + pessimistic) / 6

    Example PERT Analysis

    • Example PERT Table that shows time estimates (optimistic, realistic and pessimistic) and the expected times for a specific project

    Critical Path Scheduling

    • Scheduling technique where the order and duration of task activities directly affects the completion
    • Critical path: The shortest time a project can be completed
    • Slack time: The time a task can be delayed without delaying the project

    Critical Path Example

    • Table showing the dependencies between activities in a project

    Critical Path Example (Network Diagram)

    • Network diagram showing dependencies between project activities

    Determining the Critical Path

    • Determine earliest and latest possible completion times for each activity
    • Identify slack time for each activity
    • Critical path is the path with no slack time

    Critical Path Calculation

    • Network diagram with earliest and latest expected completion times for each activity

    Critical Path Calculation (cont.)

    • Activity slack time calculations for the project with all activities showing if they are on the critical path

    • Activity #5 is not on the critical path

    Using Project Management Software

    • Many project management software tools exist, with examples such as Microsoft project offering features like:
      • Entering project start dates
      • Establishing tasks and dependencies
      • Visualizing project information as Gantt or Network diagrams

    Project Start Date

    • Setting a project starting date in Microsoft Project

    Entering Tasks

    • Entering tasks and assigning task relationships in Microsoft Project

    Viewing Network Diagram

    • Viewing project information as a network diagram in Microsoft Project.
      • Showing milestones and critical paths

    Viewing Gantt Chart

    • Viewing project activities' progress versus planned activities in a Gantt chart in Microsoft project
    • Identification of summary activities using black lines, and milestone activities using diamond shapes

    Summary

    • Chapter summary outlining topics covered, such as project management processes, skills, and activities. Including critical path scheduling, Gantt and network diagrams, and project management software

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    Related Documents

    IT 352 Information Systems Analysis and Design 2020 PDF

    Description

    This quiz explores the essential roles and skills of project managers in information systems projects. Test your knowledge on project definitions, scheduling tools, and methodologies such as PERT and Critical Path Scheduling. Understand the importance of managing project timelines effectively.

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