Systems Analysis and Design 3.21-3.33 please I need for study. Thanks 74 PART FO

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Question

Systems Analysis and Design

3.21-3.33

please I need for study. Thanks

74 PART FOUNDATIONS FOR SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT REVIEW QUESTIONS 21 Conuras the following ems 27 Lis various projec seam communication methods and de- Cridicall pach scheduling, Gan, nework diagramming scribe an example of de type of nformation that migh be slack time b. Project, projec management, projecs manager C. Projecs initdation, project planning projece execuion, shared among seam members using each meshod during projecs closedown cal path scheduling to be applicable 3.28 Describe the acthities performed by the projec manager project closedown 29 Whas characierisics musi a projeca have in onder for criu d Projeci workhook, resources, work breakdown surucure dion ssuems projecs ect manager. Which skill do you think is mo imporan 22 Discuss the reasons why organirations undenake inorma sso Describe the seps inwoled in making a Ganu char .31 Describe the seps invoved in making a network diagram 32 In which phase of the SDLC dloes projecx planning ypically 25 Lis and describe dhe common skills and acivities of a proj Why during project initiadion during projece planning during projeci execuxion occur? Ia which phase does projenc management occur What are some reasons why one acivicy may have to pre cede another acuvity before the second acuviny can begin In other words, whas causes precedence relationships be- ween projecs acivities .33 24 Describe the acivicies performed by the projec manager 25 Describe the acuivides performed by the projecu manager 3.26 Describe the accivides performed by the projeca manager

Explanation / Answer

. Discuss the reasons why organizations undertake information system projects.

Information system projects are undertaken for two primary reasons: to take advantage of business opportunities and to solve business problems. Providing an innovative service to customers through the creation of a new system is an example of an opportunity. Modifying the way in which an existing system processes data so that more accurate or timely information is provided to users is an example of solving a business problem.

2. List and describe the common skills and activities of a project manager. Which skill do you think is most important? Why?

Table 3–1 highlights the common skills and activities of a project manager. Although a case could be made for virtually all project management skills listed in the table, one skill—being an effective oral and written communicator—is likely the most fundamental skill for a project manager to master. Without effective communication skills, the ability to successfully complete activities is curtailed.

3. Describe the activities performed by the project manager during project initiation.

Project initiation has six major activities: (1) establishing the project initiation team; (2) establishing a relationship with the customer; (3) establishing a project initiation plan; (4) establishing management procedures; (5) establishing the project management environment and project workbook; and (6) developing the project charter. When establishing the project initiation team, the project manager organizes an initial core of project team members to assist in accomplishing the project initiation activities. Establishing a relationship with the customer builds a cooperative and trusting partnership with the customer. The project initiation plan defines the necessary activities required to organize the initiation team while they are working to define the scope of the project. Management procedures establish team communication and reporting procedures, job assignments and roles, project change procedures, and determine how project funding and billing will be handled. Establishing the project management environment and project workbook creates the repository for all project correspondence, inputs, outputs, deliverables, procedures, and standards of the project team. The project charter is a short, high-level document prepared for both internal and external stakeholders; this document ensures that the analyst and customer have a common understanding of the project.

4. Describe the activities performed by the project manager during project planning.

The activities performed by the project manager during project planning include: (1) describing project scope, alternatives, and feasibility; (2) dividing the project into manageable tasks; (3) estimating resources and creating a resource plan; (4) developing a preliminary schedule; (5) developing a communication plan; (6) determining project standards and procedures; (7) identifying and assessing risk; (8) creating a preliminary budget; (9) developing a Project Scope Statement; and (10) setting a Baseline Project Plan.

Describing project scope, alternatives, and feasibility develops an understanding of the content and complexity of the project by gaining answers to and agreement on the following types of questions:

After defining the scope of the project, the next objective is to identify and document general solutions for the current business problem or opportunity and to assess each solution for feasibility so that a choice can be made as to which to consider during subsequent SDLC phases.

Dividing the project into manageable tasks identifies specific tasks and then logically orders them to ensure a smooth evolution between tasks. Estimating resources and creating a resource plan approximates resource requirements for each project activity and uses this information to create a project resource plan. a A preliminary schedule is developed using information regarding tasks and resource availability to assign time estimates to each activity in the work breakdown structure. This assignment will allow for the creation of target starting and ending dates for the project. The communication plan outlines the communication procedures between management, project team members, and the customer. Project standards and procedures specify how various deliverables are produced and tested. The activity of identifying and assessing risk examines sources of project risk and estimates the consequences of those risks. Risks might arise from the use of new technology, resistance to change, availability of critical resources, competitive and regulatory actions, and team member inexperience with technology or the business area.

Creating a preliminary budget is the process of outlining the planned expenses and revenues associated with the project. The focus of developing a Project Scope Statement is to create a document that outlines all work that will be done and makes clear what the project will deliver. The purpose of setting a Baseline Project Plan is to develop an initial plan that reflects the best estimate of the project’s tasks and resource requirements and is used to guide the next project phase, execution.

5. Describe the activities performed by the project manager during project execution.

Project execution activities include: (1) executing the Baseline Project Plan; (2) monitoring project progress against the Baseline Project Plan; (3) managing changes to the Baseline Project Plan; (4) maintaining the project workbook; and (5) communicating the project status.

The execution of the Baseline Project Plan puts the Baseline Project Plan (e.g., the execution of project activities, acquire and assign resources, orient and train new team members, keep the project on schedule, and assure the quality of project deliverables) into action. The purpose of monitoring project progress against the Baseline Project Plan is to compare the actual progress of the project to the Baseline Project Plan. If the project gets ahead of (or behind) schedule, adjustments to resources, activities, and budgets can be made. When managing changes to the Baseline Project Plan, alterations to the Baseline Project Plan are made as events (e.g., a slipped completion date of an activity) occur. The project workbook is maintained through routine updating of project-related information documented within the workbook. The project status is communicated to inform all interested parties—systems developers, managers, and customers—about how the project is progressing.

6. List various project team communication methods, and describe an example of the type of information that might be shared among team members using each method.

Table 3–2 summarizes project team communication methods. The table rates each method in terms of formality and use—for informing, for resolving issues, or for keeping permanent records. The following table lists these communication methods and provides an example of the type of information that might be shared among team members using each method.

Team Communication Methods and

Corresponding Examples

Communication Methods

Examples

Project workbook

Official system documentation, such as data flow diagrams or entity–relationship diagrams, interview notes

Meetings

Review project schedule

Seminars and workshops

Techniques and methods to be used in subsequent project phases

Project newsletters

Introduce new team members; explain upcoming project activities

Status reports

Project activity completions and issues

Specification documents

Form designs; program structure charts

Minutes of meetings

Decisions made on alternative system designs

Bulletin boards

Project status; awards for team members

Memos

Guidance to team members; personnel appraisals

Brown bag lunches

Information from trade shows attended by team members; ideas about articles read on systems analysis and design

Hallway discussions

Answers to questions; advice on how to deal with problems

7. Describe the activities performed by the project manager during project closedown.

The activities performed by the project manager during project closedown are: (1) closing down the project, (2) conducting postproject reviews, and (3) closing the customer contract. The focus of closing down the project is to conclude the project. The objective of conducting post-project reviews is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of project deliverables, the processes used to create them, and the project management process. The purpose of closing the customer contract is to ensure that all contractual terms of the project have been met.

8. What characteristics must a project have in order for critical path scheduling to be applicable?

Critical path scheduling is a scheduling technique where the order and duration of the sequence of project activities directly affect the completion date of a project. Applicable project characteristics include: (1) well-defined activities that have a clear beginning and end point; (2) activities that can be worked on independently of other activities; (3) activities that are ordered (or can be ordered); and (4) activities that when completed serve the purpose of the project.

9. Describe the steps involved in making a Gantt chart.

The steps involved in making a Gantt chart are: (1) identify each activity to be completed in the project; (2) determine time estimates and calculate the expected completion time for each activity; (3) determine the sequence of the activities and precedence relationships among all activities; and (4) construct the Gantt chart.

10. Describe the steps involved in making a Network diagram.

The steps involved in making a Network diagram are: (1) identify each activity to be completed in the project; (2) determine time estimates and calculate the expected completion time for each activity; (3) determine the sequence of the activities and precedence relationships among all activities; and (4) construct the Network diagram.

NOTE: The steps involved in making Gantt charts and Network diagrams are identical. However, they differ in the way the information is presented. A Gantt chart is presented with bars that represent the tasks, whereas a Network diagram is presented with a rectangle to represent the tasks, with task information included in the rectangle. See the answers below in numbers 7 and 8 in the Problems and Exercises Solutions.

11. In which phase of the systems development life cycle does project planning typically occur? In which phase does project management occur?

Project planning typically occurs during the planning and analysis phases of the SDLC. Project management occurs during all phases of the SDLC; yet, different project management activities occur during different SDLC phases.

12. What are some reasons why one activity may have to precede another activity before the second activity can begin? In other words, what causes precedence relationships between project activities?

Task sequence will depend on which tasks produce deliverables needed in other tasks, when critical resources are available, constraints placed on the project by the client, and the process outlined in the SDLC.

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