Army Battle Command Systems Including the Software - Research Paper Example

Research Paper, Design and Technology Army Battle command systems including the software Introduction This project presents the application of project management in various organizations. It explores the processes involved in life cycle of project management. From the analysis of information management methods in different companies, the need for a well structures project management is essential for leadership and sponsors, so long as the project team defines the scope of the project management. This study is done with reference to the Project Manager and Missions command, an organization that develops and customizes software systems for mission command. The software applications are used in military operations. The other target groups are other officers in the joint military forces. Missions Command deploys such technologies in the management of such operations. The leadership is therefore able to make logical and well-informed decisions. Project management is also very constructive in the planning of activities in the order of priority. 2. Project Lifecycle 2.1. Project Life Cycle management The lifecycle of a project consist of four major activities. The activities are listed below: Identification of Work (project) Breakdown of Work into tasks and subtasks Allocation of Timelines, Resources and Persons Responsible for every task / Event Implementation of the Project management 2.1.1. Identification of Project / Work The project or work can be identified by the overall objective of a particular organization. For example, in the Project Manager Missions Command, the work is to design systems for military missions. 2.1.2. Breakdown of Work into tasks and subtasks The major work is divided into different stages when relevant activities are implemented. For example, interface design, test and error correction. 2.1.3. Allocation of Resources, Time and Responsibility Each task and subtask is assigned specific time for example, Interface Design, 3 months. The resources required are also assigned, together with the responsible person to oversee the progress. 2.1.4. Implementation The implementation of the project management work begins. The implementation takes place through various tools for example, activity network and Gantt chart. 2.2. Benefits of project management to an organization Project management is essential for every organization. It enables organizations to take care of the resources and time, and ensures that the objectives of and the project are achieved. Secondly, with systematic project management styles, it is easy to monitor the progress of every project and to determine the outcome. In fact, it is possible for project managers to predict the results of the projects. Third, it enables the organization to plan its activities in the order of priority. For example, software design precedes testing and implementation. Finally, it assists an organization in evaluation of projects to establish the feasibility and the value of the projects. 3. Project Organization Projects are organized according to the strategic plan of the organization. The leadership prepares strategic plans for every year, with the number of projects to be conducted. The organization of projects determines the sequence of projects, in a manner that multiple projects can run concurrently. For example, in the software design and development project, more than one system can be developed concurrently. While one project reaches the implementation stage, the other project can be found to have reached the documentation and test stage. The organization of the projects depends on the available resources, the urgency of project implementation and the available time for the projects. Organizations work with the project plans to eliminate confusion between multiple projects running concurrently. At any instance, the project management can provide the status of every project and the stages remaining for the project. 4. Importance of Leadership and sponsoring Project organization is important for leadership in the preparation of resources and workforce required for every project. It is necessary to have the project organization such that decision making does not cause confusion. For example, it cannot allow one person to conduct two activities at the same time. This may cause confusion that prevents the realization of the project objectives. Additionally, the project organization can assist the management in acquiring sponsorship of the project, owing to its clarity and feasibility. 5. Project Team Building Project management encourages team-building activities within organizations. The entire lifecycle of an organization involves several staff members. Each person works independently in an area of specialization, and makes unique contribution to the realization of the major objectives of the project. The management provides the oversight function to the existing projects. This oversight enables the organization managers to interact with the rest of the workers in organizations. Even so, it is also possible for the rest of the workers to learn other areas of specialization such that they can take over in the absence of the team members assigned to them. 6. Techniques of Successful Team Building Successful team building is implemented through professionalism, communication, understanding and responsibility. Professionalism ensures that every member of the team is treated fairly, ethically and with dignity. At the same time, it ensures that the team members do not operate outside the guiding principles of the organization. Communication provides special skills for the team to minimize the chances of conflicts in the organization. Team members learn the likes and dislikes of colleagues, which helps shape up the relationship and interaction among them. Another technique is the understanding of personalities of every team member. The leadership of an organization have to understand the team members character, weaknesses, challenges and potentials for developing a quality team. Finally, the ultimate purpose of teams is to enable team members manage the responsibilities allocated to them. Without this, the team members can possibly divert the focus of the team to events that add no value to the organization’s objectives. 7. Project Scope Definition Techniques The scope of the project is the extent to which the project can run. It states the activities, which a project is meant to carry out, and the expected results from the project. It also defines the quality of work expected from the project. The techniques for defining the project scope include data flow diagrams, entity relationship diagrams, use case diagrams, activity diagrams and class diagrams. The scope of the project also provides the team members who are responsible for different activities and the budget that the project will work with. 8. Importance of managing project scope Managing project scope is very essential especially for an organization that has limited budgets. Organizations have the tendency of adjusting the scope of the projects to achieve more results than the original plan. The scope definition ensures that the implementation strictly complies within the project objectives. Secondly, organizations operate within the risk of underperforming. Project scope provides the minimum achievement expected from a project. This may arise from mismanagement of resources and time, as well as neglect of responsibilities. 9. Creation of Work Breakdown Structure The breakdown structure of work can be created by first, identifying the objectives of the project. This determines the workflow process and the activities attached to every stage of the project. The next step is to allocate time for each activity. The time must be specific for every stage. They are then assigned to specific individuals in the organization for the sake of follow up. The activities (tasks and subtasks or packages) are supposed to be monitored by special people assigned to them. 10. Breaking down Project into Packages The project can be divided into package through segmentation of the project life. The segments make work (project) simple and easy to manage. Each package is independent from the others and can be done without any sequential order. Once all the packages are completed, they are marked “Complete” on the project schedule and the project is declared finished. 11. Need for Contingency Planning Contingency plan ensures that there is continuity of the project regardless of risks affecting it. This implies that every tasks ad packages have predefined contingency plan. The plan helps in keeping the project on schedule because every resource is made available continuity. Contingency planning is a practical risk management tool for scheduling the project continuity before it begins. Secondly, contingency planning is an assurance of project completion. 12. Phase Review Concept The concept of phase review is essential in the management of projects considering that projects consume substantial amount of time to complete. Organization leadership therefore finds it necessary to review the progress of the projects periodically. This gives the position of the project, indicating how close it is to its completion. 13. Importance of Phase Review to Sponsors 14. Need for Project Management Software 15. Benefit to Project management organization 16. Conclusion Read More