ENMF 527 Planning, Performing, and Controlling the Project PDF

ENMF 527 – Planning, Performing, and Controlling the Project Learning Objectives Clearly defining the project objective Preparing a project scope document Understanding the importance of planning for quality Creating a work breakdown structure Assigning r...

ENMF 527 – Planning, Performing, and Controlling the Project Learning Objectives Clearly defining the project objective Preparing a project scope document Understanding the importance of planning for quality Creating a work breakdown structure Assigning responsibility for work elements Defining specific activities Creating a network diagram utilizing a project management methodology called the systems development life cycle for information systems development projects Case: Establishing Project Objective The client has asked the engineer to design a durable bag, The project objective establishes what is to be accomplished. It designed so that she can easily carry and use a laptop computer, is often stated in project charter or request for proposal. a textbook, a notebook, a lunch box, and a water bottle. The The objective must be clear, attainable, specific, and engineer is trying to write the project objective, and also wants measurable. some more precise information from the client including a budget and a time-line for the work to be done. After talking with the The project objective should include: expected benefits, client, the engineer knows that the budget is $3000 and the lead- primary project end product or deliverables, due date, and time is one month. budget. Objective: To design a bag which is able to carry and use a laptop, a textbook, a notebook, a lunch box, and water bottle. The bag  must last at least 4 years. The project should be completed within a month. The total budget is less or equal to $3000. Define Project Scope Project Scope Who are the stakeholders? o Defines what needs done Sponsor, instructor, academic supervisor, students o Includes  Items contained in project charter, RFP, proposal Shoe making  More detail o Establishes common understanding of scope with stakeholders Project Scope Document o Usually contains  Customer requirements  Statement of Work (SOW)  Deliverables  Acceptance Criteria  Work Breakdown Structure o Establishes baseline o Change control system to avoid scope creep ENMF 527 Notes – Planning Page 2 of 8  Plan for Quality Complete work according to specifications and standards Plan for assuring quality as project progresses Include o References for specifications and standards o Written procedures for quality tools and techniques Key aspects o Monitor as the project progresses o Do work right the first time rather than rework Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) The second step is to determine what activities need to be performed. A list of all the activities must be developed. The WBS is a hierarchical tree of end items to be accomplished. A work item is one small piece of the project. A work package is the lowest-level item. ENMF 527 Notes – Planning Page 3 of 8  Responsibility Matrix Displays in tabular format the individuals responsible for the work items. “X” can be used to indicate who is responsible. “P” indicates who has primary responsibility. “S” indicates who has secondary responsibility. Activities, Defined An activity is a piece of work that consumes time. Activities can be defined by the person or team responsible for each work package Developing the Network Plan After all activities have been defined, they are graphically portrayed in a network diagram. Three network planning techniques were developed in the 1950’s: o program evaluation and review technique (PERT) o critical path method (CPM) o precedence diagramming method (PDM) ENMF 527 Notes – Planning Page 4 of 8  Gantt Charts Gantt charts, or bar charts, are popular due to their simplicity. Activities are listed down the left-hand side. A time scale is shown along the bottom. Does not display the interrelationships of activities. If one activity is delayed, it is not obvious how that will affect other activities. Most project management software shows these relationships with arrows. Network Principals Different formats can be used to draw the diagram: activity in the box (AIB) o a.k.a. activity on the node (AON) activity on the arrow (AOA) Activity in the Box (AIB) Each activity is represented by a box. The activity description is written in the box. Each box is assigned a unique activity number. Activities have a precedential relationship. Some activities may be done concurrently. ENMF 527 Notes – Planning Page 5 of 8  Case: A and B concurrently; A before C; A and B before D. Activity on the Arrow (AOA) A C Each activity is represented by an arrow. 1 2 3 The activity description is written above the arrow. B D The tail of the arrow designates the start of the activity. The head of the arrow designates the completion of the activity. A C 1 2 4 Activities are linked by circles called events. B D An event represents the finish of activities entering it and the 3 start of activities leaving it. Each event is assigned a unique activity number. Dummy activities are used in AOA to avoid mistakes. Dummy Activities AIB does not need dummy activities. Used in the AOA format. A C Consumes zero time. Represented by a dashed arrow. Needed for: B D o Helping in the unique identification of activities. o Showing certain precendential relationships. Loops Not allowed because it portrays a path of activities that perpetually repeats itself. ENMF 527 Notes – Planning Page 6 of 8  Laddering Used for projects that have a set of activities that are repeated several times. Preparing the Network Diagram Ask the following questions regarding each activity: o Which activities must be finished immediately before this activity can be started? o Which activities can be done concurrently with this activity? o Which activities cannot be started until this activity is finished? Should flow from left to right. Not drawn to a time scale. Can vary in how detailed the diagram should be. AIB vs. AOA is a matter of personal preference. AIB is the most common in project management software packages. Project Management Software Available for purchase. Allow the project manager and the project team to plan and control projects interactively. MS Project: very common in industry: used here ENMF 527 Notes – Planning Page 7 of 8  Information System  An information system (IS) is a computer-based system that accepts data as input, processes the data, and produces useful information for users.  The systems development life cycle (SDLC) is used to help plan, execute and control IS development projects. Consists of a set of phases or steps that need to be completed over the course of a development project.  Many people view the SDLC as a classic problem-solving approach.  Steps of the SDLC 1. Problem definition 2. System analysis 3. System design 4. System development 5. System testing 6. System implementation ENMF 527 Notes – Planning Page 8 of 8