Chapter 2: IT project manager
Define what a methodology is and describe the role it serves in IT projects. Identify the phases and infrastructure that makes up the IT project methodology.
Define what a methodology is and describe the role it
serves in IT projects.
Identify the phases and infrastructure that makes up the
IT project methodology.
Develop and apply the concept of a project’s measurable
organizational value (MOV).
Describe and be able to prepare a business case.
Describe the project selection process
A strategic level plan for managing and controlling IT
projects.
A template for initiating, planning and developing an
information system.
Recommends:
◦ phases
◦ deliverables
◦ processes
◦ tools
◦ knowledge areas
Must be flexible and include best “practices” learned
from experiences over time.
Phase 1: Conceptualize and Initialize
Phase 2: Develop the Project Charter and Detailed
Project Plan defined in terms of project’s:
◦ scope
◦ schedule
◦ budget
◦ quality objectives
Phase 3: Execute and Control the Project
using approach such as the SDLC
Phase 4: Close Project
Phase 5: Evaluate Project Success
◦ Post mortem by project manager and team of entire
project
◦ Evaluation of team members by project manager
◦ Outside evaluation of project, project leader and
team members
◦ Evaluate project’s organizational value
Project Management Processes
◦ Initiating processes
◦ Planning processes Project Objectives
◦ Executing processes
◦ Controlling processes
◦ Closing processes
Definition of Business Case: an analysis of the
organizational value, feasibility, costs, benefits and
risks of the project plan.
Attributes of a good Business Case
◦ Details all possible impacts, costs, benefits
◦ Clearly compares alternatives
◦ Objectively includes all pertinent information
◦ Systematic in terms of summarizing findings
Step 1: Select the Core Team
Advantages:
Credibility
� Alignment with organizational goals
r Access to the real costs
a Ownership
� Agreement
� Bridge building
Step 2: Define Measurable Organizational Value
(MOV) the project’s overall goal.
◦ The project’s goal
◦ Measure of success
◦ Must be measurable
◦ Provides value to the organization
◦ Must be agreed upon
◦ Must be verifiable at the end of the project
◦ Guides the project throughout its life cycle
◦ Should align with the organization’s strategy and goals
1. Identify the desired area of impact
Potential Areas:
• Strategic
• Customer
• Financial
• Operational
• Social
1. Identify the desired value of the IT project
Organizational Value:
• Better?
• Faster?
• Cheaper?
• Do More? (growth)
1. Develop an Appropriate Metric
Should it increase or decrease?
Metrics:
• Money ($ £ ¥ )
• Percentage (%)
• Numeric Values
1. Set a time frame for achieving the MOV
When will the MOV be achieved?
2. Verify and get agreement from the project
stakeholders
Project manager and team can only guide the process
1. Summarize the MOV in a clear, concise statement
or table.
This project will be successful if _________________.
MOV: The B2C project will provide a 20% return on
investment and 500 new customers within the
first year of its operation
Step 3: Identify Alternatives
◦ Base Case Alternative
◦ Possible Alternative Strategies
t Change existing process without investing in IT
p Adopt/Adapt systems from other organizational areas
e Reengineer Existing System
i Purchase offtheshelf Applications package
Custom Build New Solution
Step 4: Define Feasibility and Asses Risk
◦ Economic feasibility
◦ Technical feasibility
◦ Organizational feasibility
◦ Other feasibilities
Risk focus on
◦ Identification
◦ Assessment
◦ Response
Step 5: Define Total Cost of Ownership
◦ Direct or Upfront costs
◦ Ongoing Costs
◦ Indirect Costs