Building a New Organizational Website - Case Study Example

Project Management Plan Project: Building a New Organizational Website Project Management Approach: Agile Approach Agile project development approach is suitable for the project because it has the appropriate programs and frameworks that aid in the formulation of software development projects. The agile methodology has a high level of uniqueness and is most suitable for urgently required projects. Many organizational websites exist, so building a new one is a task that requires uniqueness to make the new website distinct from the ones that are already in existence. The agile project development approach has a number of frameworks. DSDM is one of the frameworks under the agile methodology and is specifically used in software development projects. DSDM is suitable for use when developing the new website. DSDM projects are always set on the basis of a fixed time frame, for this reason, prior consideration is should be made in order to prioritize certain activities within the project framework. The prioritization ensures that the set deadlines are met to avoid any inconveniences. The process of prioritization of tasks is based on a technique called MoSCoW. The technique focuses on defining requirements on the basis of their importance in the project. For instance it stipulates the requirements that the project must have in order for the development to be successful. It also outlines the requirements that the project should have but also says that such requirements are not mandatory since the objectives of the project are achievable even without them. Some requirements are classified under the “could have” category meaning that they are desirable but their level of necessity is low. The “won’t have this time” category caters for requirements that the agile team has set out as not achievable within the prevailing timeframe (DSDM, 2014). The Reason for the Project Proposal The proposal for this project is the establishment of a new organizational website and this is a complementary approach to the strategies and the objectives of the organization. Diversification of the existing markets is one of the vital components of the business objectives. Setting up a new business website would provide an internet interface from which potential customers can access the products and services offered by the business. This expands the market beyond geographical boarders. Establishment of good customer relations within the business is another important objective. The proposed website would establish a platform on which customers can interact with the personnel in the business. The interaction enables customers to express their views on the business’s provision of products and services. Therefore, the business can consider information obtained from customers to tailor the products and services to efficiently suit customer specifications. Key Objectives of the Proposed Project The project aims at establishing a proper and viable marketing strategy. The proposed website would expose the business to the global market because it will be accessible to people all over the world. To enable saving of the funds that would have otherwise been invested in advertising. Therefore, because the website is owned and run by the organization, the business will not incur the extra cost of financing business publicity procedures. This development project also aims at increasing the volume of sales. The website is to be tailored in such a way that customers can make orders and purchase products directly from the website. This ensures that maximum sales are made. Promotion of good customer-business relationship. The proposed website will entail a customer support link from which the customer can call the customer care directly and in this way customers’ concerns will be adequately addressed. Establishing a platform for the initiation of relevant business partnerships. The website will expose the business activities to other potential stakeholders who may be willing to invest into the business for example by purchasing shares. Securing the business on the internet. The new website would give the business a basis for claiming the ownership of the business if discrepancies arise. Therefore, the business is secure from cybersquatting. Maintenance of the business’ relevancy. The information posted on the proposed website is subject to constant updates thus ensuring that the new developments in the business are reflected on the website (DSDM, 2014). The Scope of the Proposed Project The project is going to apply the DSDM project framework under the agile software development methodology. Therefore, the prioritization of requirements must be done and this brings up the techniques to be used in prioritization. Once the prioritization of requirements is done, the practicality or feasibility of the project will be guaranteed. The requirements that the project must have are given prior consideration. The process of building the website must incorporate an efficient agile team that is conversant with the processes of building a website. Here are some of the vital requirements that the project MUST have for it to be successful: Funds that would be used to run and sustain the agile development project A program that specializes on editing that would make the creation of the website possible. A domain. This is the website address with which users would access the proposed website An internet hard drive called a web space in which the files available in the site are stored. A communication program that links the website operators with their web space. This is known as an FTP client and enables transfer of file from one computer host to another. The requirements that would ideally be in the scope include: A mainframe server that would complement the functioning of the other computers used to control and monitor the new website. The main server would improve efficiency. A domain. This refers the website address that links internet users to the official website of the business. The requirements to be ruled Out of the Project’s Scope A backup of the programs being used to develop the project. The backup would be important in case some of the initial programs crash. Excess personnel. The project would only engage the exact number of personnel required for the project to avoid additional costs. When all the requirements have been accounted form, the project will be feasible. Therefore, for the practicality of the project to prevail prioritization of tasks and requirements is vital. This ensures that the project is procedural and elaborate (Winesett 2010). The DSDM Process The Interaction of People with the DSDM Interface Constraints in Implementing the Project The programs used in the development project can crush and consequently cause inconveniences. When programmes crush, beating the set deadline becomes a major problem The senior managerial body of the business may not have adequate understanding of the requirements of the agile methodology and its impacts on the business. Therefore, the management may fail to provide all the requirements and the result is the project development process being crippled. Communication problems may arise. The groups and the agile teams may find it difficult to pass information among them if the relevant communication parameters are not laid down. The testing of the agile project may have been inadequate. Consequently, some flaws may arise in the course of the implementation of the development project thus bringing up complications. The code of operation may be changing daily making it hard for the agile teams to conform to the changes efficiently. Lack of conformity will result into the breaking of the codes of operation and this may lead to flaws in the quality of the project. If defects are not detected early constraints will arise in as the development is in progress. Defects in the agile development project may lead to halting of the development project or lead to slow implementation of the project. Benefits to be accrued if the Project Goes According to Plan The business will be able to save on the advertising costs. The business will be able to conduct private advertising on its own website without incurring additional costs. The scope of the market covered by the business will substantially increase. The reason for the increase is the fact that the website will be available to potential clients worldwide. The revenue obtained by the business will significantly increase as a result of the diversified market. The improved advertising will improve the sales made by the business. The authenticity of the business and its owners will be clearly outlined in the internet. This would prevent cyber squatters from claiming the business illegally because the business is secure through its new website. The flow of information within the business will improve. For instance, customers can air their concerns through the website’s customer support team. Such information is useful in assessing the quality of the services extended by the business. The Assumptions and Dependencies of the Development Project The success of the project relies on cooperation of the major per takers of the project. The activities of managerial body of the business and the agile team should be coordinated and complementary to each other. The initiation of the project implementation can only take effect after the establishment of an appropriate prioritization framework. The assumption made in this case is that the success of the project will automatically result into the benefits attributed to the DSDM framework. The availability of personnel to work on the project is also a major factor that the development’s success relies on. The Risks Attributable to the Project The assumption that the success of the project will yield the stipulated developmental results like increase in sales volume is a risky affair. There is a possibility that the success of the project may not necessary meet the developers’ expectations. There is risk of the application programs crashing. For instance if the website editing program crushes, the personnel will lack an appropriate protocol for designing the website. Although the relevant tests may have been made before initiating the program, some defects may still arise as the development progresses. Inadequate training of the agile team and other personnel undertaking the project development may lead to failure of the whole venture. Incompetency is a major hindrance to the success of development projects. The Resources and the Facilities Required Operation systems. The project has to be laid down on a particular protocol that would guide the operations carried out while developing the project. Proper systems of operations like computer resources must be availed to the personnel. Information systems. The development project depends on research and analysis of different information from different sources. The analysis forms a basis for the evaluation of the feasibility of the project. Human resources which refers to the workforce. This includes agile teams and other personnel responsible for the implementation of the objectives of the agile project. Databases and programs which are complemented by the existence of a relevant operating system. The essence in this case is that an operating system cannot work efficiently without the application of the required programs. The Timescale and Cost of the Software Development Project The cost of setting up a website is approximately £500 excluding the funds used to pay the personnel and to purchase other requirements. The total cost depends on the number of personnel taking part in the project and the number of requirements. Operating cost are directly proportional to the number of personnel. If the number of personnel increases the same is reflected on the operating costs. The time range for the implementation of the project is between a week and two weeks if preparations are made prior to the commencement of the implementation of the project. The Stakeholders in the Project Development The stakeholders include: Internet service providers. The building of the website relies on the use of internet resources. Therefore, the extension of internet services is necessary. Website developers who are professionals with the relevant expertise necessary for the development of viable website resources. The business itself is a major stakeholder in the project. Th funds used to finance the development project come directly from the business organization. Role and Responsibilities of the Personnel The personnel should account for their personal actions and be responsible enough to the extent that others can rely on them for particular information remittance. The agile teams should take the initiative of identifying challenges and defects in the development process. The team is responsible for devising ways of countering the challenges. The management of the business should ensure that the project is adequately and sufficiently funded. Emerging issues must be addressed responsibly and in time to ensure that the process runs without avoidable hindrances. Communication Plan Before formulating a communication protocol, consideration should be made as to which parties are being addressed. The effectiveness of different communication procedures varies under different circumstances. The effective way of communicating is through direct address or face to face communication. Communicating face to face provides a basis for contemporary issues to be addressed. When talking to a large group of individuals, video conferencing is appropriate as it ensures that everyone gets the information being passed across. Project Development Delivery Plan Delivery planning will involves detailed assessment of the project requirements. This gives a scope of the feasibility of the project in question. The total cost of the development project should be determined. The background of the business should also be understood through careful analysis. When all the procedures are adhered to, the implementation of the development project becomes efficient and the results delivered are viable. References Dynamic systems development method (DSDM). (2014). Introduction. Web. May 22, 2015. Retrieved from http://dsdm.org/dig-deeper/book/1-introduction Winesett, J. (2010). Agile web application development with Yii1.1 and PHP5. Birmingham, UK: Packt Pub. Read More