Question 17

Chapter 3

Managing the Information Systems Project

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

Project planning activities 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:

• What problem or opportunity does the project address?

• What are the quantifiable results to be achieved?

• What needs to be done?

• How will success be measured?

• How will we know when we are finished?

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 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,...