Chapter 1- The Nature Of Information Technology Projects

Question 0

Describe the micro era in your own words.

Answer 0

1980’s and the personal computer. Not super successful because personal computers replaced the centralized systems in the workplace. Led to a new era of IT to manage technology across departments. Focused on creating intranets.

Question 1

Describe the EDP era in your own words

Answer 1

EDP era was in early 1960’s and is characterized by the purchase of the first mainframe by large organizations. Goal was to improve efficiency by reducing costs and automating many clerical tasks. EDP is electronic data processing.

Question 2

Describe the network era in your own words.

Answer 2

1995ish. Focused in creating elaborate infrastructures to support alliances between vendors and customers. Network focus extended outwardly. Not only had to understand the tech but also the competitive climate. Lots I tried and failed web based businesses.

Question 3

Describe the globalization era in your own words.

Answer 3

Mid 2000’s. Geographically dispersed. Distance is irrelevant. Risk and rewards are greater. Competition is for project funding. And project management and planning is more important, shorter smaller faster projects have a better chance of being successful and funded.

Question 4

How can a value-driven approach improve the likelihood of IT project success.

Answer 4

Gives focus and clear goals to the project. Allows us to achieve specified measures of success.

Question 5

What are the benefits of using a project management approach?

Answer 5

Clearly defines who is part of the project team and what each member of the team is responsible for. Lists all available resources, expectations competition etc. Defines the next step.

Question 6

What is a methodology, what are the advantages of using a methodology

Answer 6

The step by step activities, processes, tools, quality standards, controls and deliverables that are defined for the entire project. Project success does not only depend on the team but more on a set of processes and infrastructure in place. A common set of tools and controls also provides a common language across projects

Question 7

How does sharing experiences in the form of lessons learned to lead to best practices in managing and developing an information system?

Answer 7

Allows us to update methods and learn from mistakes and successes. Makes us more mature in it’s processes by taking the lessons learned and creating best practices

Question 8

What is a project ?

Answer 8

A temporary endeavour that produces a unique deliverable.

Question 9

What is project management?

Answer 9

The application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities in order to meet or exceed stakeholder needs and expectations

Question 10

What are the attributes of a project?

Answer 10

Time frame, purpose, ownership, resources, roles, risks, assumptions, tasks, impact the project will have on the organization

Question 12

Describe the relationship among scope, schedule and budget.

Answer 12

Pyramid with budget at the bottom and scope and schedule equally on top. If scope or schedule expands so must budget. If budget expands then scope or schedule may as well.

Question 13

Describe the different roles and skillsets needed for a project

Answer 13

Project Manager - responsible for ensuring that all processes are carried out within specific requirements and quality standards
Project Sponsor - provide organizational resources and direction as needed
Subject Matter Experts - accounting expert, sales expert…. expert in the branch of the company that the deliverable is being created for
Technical Experts - programmers, network specialists etc. The people who will be building the program

Question 14

Describe 3 risks that could be associated with an IT project

Answer 14

Internal Risks - key team member could leave mid project
External Risks - Dependencies on contractors and vendors
Not enough time or budget
Running out of funding

Question 15

Should assumptions associated with a project be documented?

Answer 15

It is important to document all assumptions (risk predictions) to use as a resource and refer back to throughout the project.

Question 16

Discuss the Statement: Projects operate in an environment larger than the project itself.

Answer 16

Operating in an environment larger than itself implies that the project team should be aware of the organization as a whole, not just the specific branch that they are creating the IT system for. Understanding the politics and culture of the organization will allow the project team to plan more efficiently and give the project the highest value to the company

Question 17

Although the PMBOK describes the generally accepted principles and practices of project management, why won’t these principles and practices work for every project?

Answer 17

Determining what is appropriate is the responsibility of the project team and comes from experience. The PMBOK outlines the nine areas as guidelines to help us understand project management.