BCS/DIP/ITPM/TUTORIAL 01

DEFINITION
A Project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or a result.

Project Management is about applying our knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements.

1.)    List and explain very briefly the four main criteria for assessing the success of a project.

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2.)    For each of these factors above, describe at least TWO potential problems that might arise to jeopardize the eventual success of the project.

3.)    What is the purpose of a business Case ?

4.)    Describe the main sections to be found in a business case report.

a.        

b.       

c.        

d.       

e.       

f.         

5.)    Identify FOUR events which might lead to an updating of the business case.

6.)    What are the main project management Processes?

a.       Initiating Process: authorizing the project or phase

b.       Planning Process: define and verify requirements, objectives, goals and the way forward.

c.        Executing Process: coordinating people and other resources to carry out the plan

d.      Monitoring and  Controlling Process: measuring and monitoring progress regularly

e.       Closing Process: formalizing the completion of project

7.)    Define the word project Stakeholders?

Project stakeholders are individuals and organizations that are actively involved in the project, or whose interests may be affected as a result of project execution or completion.

Ø  Project Manager

Ø   Project Sponsor

Ø   Project team members

Ø   Project Steering committee

Ø  Customers

8.)    Identify the role and responsibility of each and every stakeholder in the above.

9.)    Nine knowledge Areas of Project Management.

10.)  Explain the project Development Life Cycle.

11.) Explain the advantages and disadvantages of In-house development, outsourcing and cloud-computing.

In-house development

Outsourcing

Cloud computing

Off-the-shelf packages

 Question A1

The Tyre-It Company sells and fits tyres from a number of different manufacturers to a wide variety of motor vehicles. This is a very competitive market and it is important that the company always has a ready stock of the most popular car tyre brands. It must also be able to answer immediately any telephone enquiry for the price and number of tyres of a specific type available at that time.

In addition, good management information and the strict control of costs are essential in order for the organisation to maintain its competitive position.

It has become clear that the existing computer-based stock system, which was developed by the in-house IT section, is no longer adequate and a decision has been made by the Tyre-It senior management to adopt a new more advanced stock recording and enquiry system.

Some major tyre manufacturers offer such systems as on off-the-shelf (OTS) package, but the Tyre-It management are concerned that such packages might be too restrictive and thus not suitable for the wide range of tyres that it sells. The alternative would be to design and develop a new in-house system. However, the IT section has no experience of on-line or cost-based systems.

                         

Write a memorandum to the Tyre-It management setting out the advantages and disadvantages of acquiring an ‘off-the-shelf’ system as opposed to developing a new application in-house using its own staff, bearing in mind the scenario outlines above

(15 marks)

                         

A decision has been made to acquire an off-the-shelf package. Describe the activities that would now be needed to select and acquire the software and to set up a fully operational stock system.

(10 marks)

 Question A3

a) Explain the main reasons for using:

i) change control and

ii) configuration management

when developing a new in-house computer system. Highlight at least TWO advantages and ONE disadvantage of each.

(12 marks)

b) List and explain briefly FIVE major stages in the change control process.

(7 marks)

c) List and explain briefly the THREE major elements of a configuration management system. (6 marks)

2011 –Sep

a) Costs and benefits are two essential sections within a business case. List FIVE other sections in a business case.(5 marks)

b) List FIVE categories or types of benefits that are associated with an IT project and provide an example for each one.(10 marks)

c) List FIVE estimating techniques that can be used to identify costs.(5 marks)

d) There are some projects that will be given approval even though the costs exceed the benefits in the business case. Describe ONE example of when this might be legitimate.(4 marks)

Question 1

a) Explain what is meant by a successful project, giving the four main criteria of success. (4 marks)

b) Identify and describe SIX of the major types of activity that would be carried out in a software development project, highlighting those in which the eventual users should be involved and explaining how.  (6 marks)

c) A large distribution company wishes to implement a new warehouse system, and is undecided whether to develop the system internally (i.e. an “in-house system”) or to acquire and adapt an “off-the-shelf” (OTS) package for this purpose.

For EACH of the six types of activity listed in part b, compare the work to be undertaken for each of these two possible methods of system development, highlighting the key differences.                 (12 marks)

d) Identify one significant risk specific to the “in-house” approach and one risk specific to the “OTS” approach. (3 marks)