Info systems exam
Statement of Work (SOW)
"Contract" between the IS staff and the customer regarding deliverables and time estimates for a system development project
Project Charter
-A document that is prepared for both internal and external stakeholders -Provides a high-level overview of the project -Useful communication tool that helps to assure that the organizations and other stakeholders understand the initiation of a project
Critical Path Scheduling
-A scheduling technique whose order and duration of a sequence of task activities directly affect the completion - Critical path & Slack time
In-House Development
-If sufficient system development expertise with the chosen platform exists in-house, then some or all of the system can be developed by the organization's own staff. -Hybrid solutions involving some purchased and some in-house components are common.
Agile Methodologies
-Motivated by recognition of software development as fluid, unpredictable, and dynamic -Three key principles --Adaptive rather than predictive --Emphasize people rather than roles --Self-adaptive processes
Project management activities
-Technological change -customer and management expectations -documentation and communications -time and resource constraints -methodologies and tools -managing people -contractors and vendors -organizing change and complexity -systems development life cycle
Reuse
-The use of previously written software resources, especially objects and components, in new applications -Commonly applied to two different development technologies: --Object-oriented development --Component-based development
Critical Path Method (CPM)
-To construct a model of the project that includes the following: --A list of all activities required to complete the project (typically categorized within a work breakdown structure) --The time (duration) that each activity will take to complete, the dependencies between the activities and --Logical end points such as milestones or deliverable items
Gantt charts
-chart in which a series of horizontal lines shows the amount of work done or production completed in certain periods of time in relation to the amount planned for those periods. --Show task durations. --Show time overlap. --Show slack time in duration.
The Process of Identifying and Selecting IS Development Projects
-dentifying potential development projects --Identification from a stakeholder group --Each stakeholder group brings their own perspective and motivation to the IS decision
Bottom-up
-planning are project initiatives stemming from managers, business units, or the development group. -identifies IS development projects based on solving specific operational business problems or taking advantage of specific opportunities. ØCan be faster and less costly, so may be beneficial in certain circumstances.
Computer-aided Software Engineering
-tool is a software package that provides support for the design and implementation of information systems. It can document a database design and provide invaluable help in maintaining the consistency of a design. -Diagramming tools enable graphical representation. -Computer displays and report generators help prototype how systems "look and feel".
Rapid application development (RAD
-uses minimal planning in favor of rapid prototyping. A prototype is a working model that is functionally equivalent to a component of the product. -Unlike the Waterfall method, RAD emphasizes the use of software and user feedback over strict planning and requirements documentation -Methodology to decrease design and implementation time -Involves: extensive user involvement, prototyping, integrated CASE tools, and code generators
Design (SDLC)
A description of the recommended solution is converted into logical and then physical systems specifications
-Fit to Requirements -Technical Fit -Analyst Perspective -Vendor Stability -Pricing and Flexibility
Commercial Off the Shelf (COTF) Products
-High Formality --Project workbook --Status reports --Specification documents --Meeting minutes -Medium Formality --Meetings --Seminars and workshops --Email -Low Formality --Internal blogs --Instant message (Slack, Symphony, etc.) --Lunch & Learn sessions --'Hallway' discussions
Communication Methods
The Baseline Project Plan (BPP)
Contains estimates of scope, benefits, schedules, costs, risks, and resource requirements
Preliminary Budget
Cost-benefit analysis outlining planned expenses and revenues
•Describe project scope, alternatives, feasibility. •Divide project into tasks. •Estimate resource requirements and create resource plan. •Develop preliminary schedule. •Develop communication plan. •Determine standards and procedures. •Identify and assess risk. •Create preliminary budget. •Develop a statement of work. •Set baseline project plan.
Elements of Project Planning
•Organizational units affected by new system •Current systems that will interact with or change becauseof new system •People who are affected by new system •Range of potential system capabilities
Factors in Determining Scope
Approaches to Reuse: Ad-hoc
Individuals are free to find or develop reusable assets on their own.
intranet
Internet-based communication to support business activities within a single organization
extranet
Internet-based communication to support business-to-business activities through a secure site
Electronic Commerce (EC):
Internet-based communication to support business-to-consumer transactions (buy/sell)
-Freely available including source code -Developed by a community of interested people -Performs the same functions as commercial software
Open Source Software
-Define clear, discrete activities and the work needed to complete each activity -Tasks --Define project scope, alternatives, feasibility --Divide project into tasks --Estimate resource requirements --Develop preliminary schedule --Develop communication plan --Determine standards and procedures --Identify and assess risk --Create preliminary budget --Develop a statement of work --Set baseline project plan
PM Phase 2: Project Planning
-Reconstruction -Construction -Project Closeout -Plans created in prior phases are put into action. --Actions --Execute baseline project plan --Monitor progress against baseline plan --Manage changes in baseline plan --Maintain project workbook --Communicate project status
PM Phase 3: Project Execution
-Bring the project to an end -Actions --Close down the project --Conduct post-project reviews (aka 'Lesson Learned Meetings') --Close the customer contract
PM Phase 4: Project Close Down
-Assess size, scope and complexity, and establish procedures. -Establish: --Initiation team --Relationship with customer --Project initiation plan --Management procedures --Project management environment --Project workbook
PM phase 1: Project Initiation
-leadership -team building -motivation -communication -influencing -decision making -political and cultural awareness -negotiation -trust building -conflict management -coaching
PM's essential soft skills
-Financial -Compliance -Marketing/Client Relationship
Packages Software Producers
-Assign a Project Manager -Construct Project Teams -Understand the Problem -Identify People of the Problem -Identify the Needs of the Problem -Create the Project Requirements -Design the Project Outcome -Plan the Project Implementation
Project Components
initiate --> prepare --> execute and control --> Close
Project Management Framework
-Based on various factors -Both short- and long-term projects considered -Most likely to achieve business objectives selected -Is a very important and ongoing activity
Selecting IS development projects
-Cloud Computing -Open Source -In-House -ERP providers -Packaged software providers -IT service firms
Sources of Software
Project Manager
Systems analyst with management and leadership skills responsible for leading project initiation, planning, execution, and close down
Analysis (SDLC)
Systems retirement are studied and structured
•Establishing the Project Initiation Team. •Establishing a Relationship with the Customer. •Establishing the Project Initiation Plan. •Establishing Management Procedures. •Establishing the Project ManagementEnvironment and Project Workbook. •Developing the Project Charter.
The Process of Initiating and Planning IS Development Projects
Deliverable
The end product of an SDLC phase
development of the project charter
The key activity of project initiation is the
the process of defining clear, discrete activities and the work needed to complete each activity within a single project.
The key activity of project planning is the
development of a Baseline Project Plan (BPP) and the Project Scope Statement (PSS).
The objective of the project planning process is the
Cloud Computing
The provision of computing resources, including applications, over the Internet, so customers do not have to invest in the computing infrastructure needed to run and maintain the resources
-Analyze its information needs thoroughly -Plan its projects carefully
To benefit from a planning-based approach for identifying and selecting projects, an organization must:
-If your project involves: --Unpredictable or dynamic requirements --Responsible and motivated developers --Customers who understand the process and will get involved
When to use Agile Methodologies
low-cost producer
a company that can provide goods or services at a low cost.
Internet
a large worldwide network of networks that use a common protocol to communicate with each other; all public sites
Selecting Off-the-Shelf Software: Ease of installation
a measure of the difficulty of loading the software and making it operational
Structured Walkthroughs
a peer-group review of any product created during the system development process
Request for Quote (RFQ)
a standard business process to invite suppliers into a bidding process; the goal is to bid on the RFP; usually clearly defined
System Development Methodology
a standard process followed in an organization to conduct all the steps necessary to analyze, design, implement, and maintain information systems.
Incremental commitment
a strategy in systems analysis and design in which the project is reviewed after each phase and continuation of the project is re-justified.
Maintenance (SDLC)
an information system is systematically repaired and improved.
Planning (SDLC)
an organization's total information system needs are identified, analyzed, prioritized, and arranged
Approaches to Reuse: Designed
assets mandated for reuse as they are being designed for specific applications.
Selecting Off-the-Shelf Software: Viability of vendor
can the software adapt to changes in systems software and hardware
Selecting Off-the-Shelf Software: Cost
comparing the cost of developing the same system in-house with the cost of purchasing or licensing the software package
Roles
coordinator, presenter, user, secretary, standard-bearer, maintenance oracle
Logical Design (SDLC)
defines the functions and features of the system and the relationships among its components independently of any computer platform. -Anything that is platform independent: •Interactions between objects •Layouts of user interfaces •Nature of commands/data passed between sub-systems
Approaches to Reuse: Facilitated
developers are encouraged to practice reuse.
Selecting Off-the-Shelf Software: Flexibility
how easy it is to customize the software
Selecting Off-the-Shelf Software: Response Time
how long it takes the software package to respond to the user's requests in an interactive session
Request for Proposal (RFP)
is a document provided to vendors to ask them to propose hardware and system software that will meet the requirements of a new system; possibly no clear details/requirements
product differentiation
is the process of distinguishing a product or service from others, to make it more attractive to a particular target market.
product focus or niche
is the subset of the market on which a specific product is focused. The market niche defines the product features aimed at satisfying specific market needs, as well as the price range, production quality and the demographics that it is intended to target
Selecting Off-the-Shelf Software: Documentation
is the user's manual and technical documentation understandable and up-to-date
Low-cost producer Product differentiation Product focus or niche
main types of competitive strategy
top-down
planning identify projects by top management or by a diverse steering committee. -planning attempts to gain a broad understanding of information system needs of the entire organization and offers: --Broader perspective. --Improved integration. --Improved management support. --Better understanding.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
systems integrate individual traditional business functions into modules enabling a single seamless transaction to cut across functional boundaries.
Approaches to Reuse: Managed
the development, sharing, and adoption of reusable assets is mandated.
-Project management may be the most important aspect of systems development. -Effective PM helps to ensure --The meeting of customer expectations. --The satisfying of budget and time constraints. -PM skills are difficult and important to learn.
the importance of project management
Implementation (SDLC)
the information system is coded, tested, installed and supported in the organization.
Physical Design (SDLC)
the logical specifications of the system from logical design are transformed into the technology-specific details from which all programming and system construction can be accomplished -Anything that is platform-dependent: •Distribution of objects/services over network nodes •Choice of programming language and development environment •Use of specialized device drivers •Choice of database and server technology •Services provided by middleware
competitive strategy
the method by which an organization attempts to achieve its mission and objectives
Value chain analysis
the process of analyzing an organization's activities for making products and/or services to determine where value is added and costs are incurred
critical path
the shortest time in which a project can be completed; what you need to complete the project -contains no activities with slack time
Selecting Off-the-Shelf Software: Functionality
the tasks that the software can perform and the mandatory, essential, and desired system features
Slack time
the time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project
Electronic data interchange (EDI)
the use of telecommunications technologies to directly transfer business documents between organizations
Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
traditional methodology used to develop, maintain, and replace information systems.
Network diagrams
useful for planning and tracking the project from beginning to finish. It represents a project's critical path as well as the scope for the project.
Selecting Off-the-Shelf Software: Vendor support
whether or how much support the vendor can provide and at what cost
Project Scope Statement (PSS)
•A document prepared for the customer •Describes what the project will deliver Outlines at a high level all work required to completethe project
•Project title and date of authorization •Project manager name and contact information •Customer name and contact information •Projected start and completion dates •Key stakeholders, project role, and responsibilities •Project objectives and description •Key assumptions or approach •Signature section for key stakeholders
•A project charter typically contains:
Baseline Project Plan (BPP)
•Guide for the project team •A major outcome and deliverable from the PIP phase Contains the best estimate of a project's scope, benefits, costs, risks, and resource requirements •Example Sections: •Introduction •System description •Feasibility assessment •Management issues
Business Case
•Justification for an information system •Presented in terms of the tangible and intangible economic benefits and costs •The technical and organizational feasibility of the proposed system
Project Management
A controlled process of initiating, planning, executing, and closing down a project
System Service Request (SSR)
A standard form for requesting or proposing systems development work within an organization
Feasibility study
A study that determineswhether a requested system makes economic and operational sense for an organization
PERT: Program Evaluation Review Technique
A method to analyze the involved tasks in completing a given project, especially the time needed to complete each task, and to identify the minimum time needed to complete the total project.
Project
A planned undertaking of related activities to reach an objective that has a beginning and an end
Objective statements
A series of statements that express an organization's qualitative and quantitative goals for reaching a desired future position
Functional Decomposition:
Breaking high-level abstract information into smaller units for more detailed planning
-systems requirement "locked in" after being determined (cant change) -limited user involvement (Only in requirements phase) -too much focus on milestone deadlines of SDLC phases to detriment of sound development practices
Problems with waterfall approach
-CASE tools -Rapid Application Development (RAD) -Agile Methodologies
Different Approaches to Improving development
¤Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Division of project into manageable and logically ordered tasks and sub-tasks
-Planning -Analysis - Design -Implementation -Maintenance
Phases in Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
-Phase 1: Initiation -Phase 2: Planning -Phase 3: Execution -Phase 4: Close Down
Phases of Project Management Process
-Scheduling Diagrams --Project Management Software --Gantt chart --PERT Diagram --Network diagram --Critical Path Scheduling -Example: Microsoft Project can help with --Entering project start date. --Establishing tasks and task dependencies. --Viewing project information as Gantt or Network diagrams.
Powerful software tools that exist for assiting with project management:
-Help companies develop custom information systems for internal use. -Develop, host, and run applications for customers. -Cost-effective -Take advantage of economies of scale Free up internal resources -Increase process efficiencies -System development is a non-core activity for the organization
Reasons to outsource
