Project Management for Information Systems - Report Example

Project proposal for computer science Name: Course: Code: Date: 1. Context 1.1 Project Title A system to manage postgraduate computing projects 1.2 Key words Information system Project Postgraduate 1.3 Problem definition Post graduate research projects have contributed immensely to different sectors of the economy, improvement of industrial sector through the technological innovations and advancement; this in many countries has resulted in the growth and development of the economy (Grisham 2009, pp. 872). Post graduate computing projects have a major role to play in significantly transforming the several sectors of the economy through viable projects that can aide in data management, networking, electronic commerce, and system and data security (Straw 2005, pp. 216). Both students and lecturers are faced with problems in the process of data collection pertinent to their research projects and the lecturers need to closely monitor the students and provide guidelines whenever possible (Harrison & Lock 2004, pp. 76). The supervision of postgraduate projects takes four dimensions; advisory, quality control, supporting and guidance by the supervisor (Young-Hoon 2005, pp. 21). Due to their crucial contribution it is thus important that a system is created to effectively manage the post graduate computing projects at higher institutions of learning. Therefore an interactive and up to date system that can store the student’s information, project titles and their progress through the project development process is of at most importance. 1.4 Global aim Information systems should be deployed by organisations to improve efficiency. There is a need to have processes simplified and services done without much effort and at the same time reducing the cost of undertaking these processes. It is for this reason that there is a need to have information systems in management of student affairs. Universities and colleges are under the dire need to have systems to manage the processes that they have. In view of the problems involved in the management and supervision of the post graduate computing projects, where there is wastage in the response time and interaction between supervisors and students leading to development of enviable projects; a system that manages the post graduate computing projects is a necessity. This will help in: i) Reducing time wastage in the process of project development, students wait for a long time for the approval of their proposals, delayed feedback from their supervisors. ii) Enhance interaction between students and respective supervisors through the online graphical user interface. iii) Enhance availability of data and information to students. The system shall have a module that provides relevant data and information relating to their projects. 1.5 Objectives detailing plans and controls The main aim of this project will be: i) To increase the post graduate students achievement of the goals and objectives of their projects. When data and information relating to their projects is availed and the close monitoring and effective interaction between the student and supervisor enhances the ability to achieve the projects objectives (Cadley 2004, pp. 62). ii) To improve the quality of post graduate computing projects and their viability. Close monitoring, advice and support by the supervisors improves the quality of the projects thus they become more viable and can be implemented (Barker & Cole 2007, pp. 62). iii) To increase the adoption and implementation of the completed projects. iv) Closely monitor the students’ progress through the project research and design process. v) Establish possible linkages to source of data and information on the projects undertaken by the students. Work breakdown structure. The following work breakdown structure decomposes the project in to smaller components and arranges them into several levels. Analysis Level 1: in this level an analysis is done on the current situation then the project specifications are well articulated and set out. The specifications will help in guiding the design process of the project. Design Level2: in this level the graphical user interface is developed designing form A,B,C which are the major interfaces of the system. Coding Level 3 It is at this level that the respective codes to the graphical user interface are generated. There will also be the generation of the system data base together with its metadata, location specifications. Also, there will be the integration of the database and the graphical user interfaces and the online and web interfaces. Testing (Level 4): final integration of all the system components to achieve an integrated system the system is then subjected to testing to determine whether it meets the desired objectives. Implementation (level 5): if the system meets the required testing standards it is then implemented. 1.6 Evidence of requirements There is an increase in the intake of students in colleges and universities. Employees are now able to enrol for courses and work simultaneously. In addition, e-learning is fast being adopted by many people and many institutions of higher learning. Due to all these factors, there have been many students and handling their projects has been overwhelming for most colleges and universities. It is for this reason that a system for managing these projects need to be developed. 1.7 General Context description There is a need to have a system that is used to manage projects for post graduate students. This has led to the researcher having to work on this paper. 2. What to be created 2.1 Proposed research methods The paper will use a case study approach where a phenomenon is studied for a long period of time. The issue of projects that are done by students has been left unattended and unmanaged therefore not having proper management of student projects. There are many projects which are done by various students. There is need to have the projects managed so that projects are not repeated and the timeframe is known for the various students. The research will involve conducting interviews with the students and professors to get the process of undertaking research (Schwalbe 2009, pp. 672). This research method can gather wide range of information, which may take the quantitative or qualitative approach which will be handy in understanding interventions which will be of great help. This will get rid of generalizations which can occur (Schwalbe 2009, pp. 72). Survey: through this technique subjects will respond to a series of questions designed to gather specific information and data to be used in the design process, questionnaires are normally used to gather information (Nicholas & Steyn 2008, pp. 52). Through survey there is a possibility of collecting a vast collection of data in a short period as most information can get from the Internet. The data collected through surveys may however be unreliable due to the fact that it is based solely on the respondent whose views and information may be inaccurate (Lock 2007, pp. 942). Observation: in this research method the subjects or situation is observed in their natural circumstances without interruption. This is the simplest form of research where behavior is observed naturally and quantitative values are then recorded to be used in the designing of the project. 2.2 Brief product description The system will have a database that contains the details of the student and the project specifications which include the project proposal. The database will also have the details of the supervisors assigned to each student; it will also have a list of all possible sources of data and information for the respective projects undertaken by the different students (Lock 2007, pp. 61). Each student and supervisor will have an online account containing his/her details and the project details, it’s this accounts that will be used as a medium of interaction for advise, support and monitoring of the students’ progress. Through this accounts the students and supervisors can outsource for information and data on their projects (Lientz & Rea 2003, pp. 71). The database is then integrated with the online accounts and forms to enable real time processing of data and information (Koster 2009, pp. 562). It may be considered that in future the system through the database expansion can be used to market and display completed projects to prospective stakeholders. 2.3 Deliverables Product structure breakdown The following diagram is a structural break down of the deliverables that will be attained upon completion of the project. As shown from the above diagram the following deliverables will be attained after completion of the project; Database: a data base to store all records and information of the student, the project, supervisor and the source of data and information on the respective projects. The database will be integrated with the online accounts to ensure the system data and information is updated (Koster 2009, pp. 48). Online account and forms: the system online module shall have three types of forms and accounts; Student account (Form A): an interface linking the student data and information and providing a log in form to access the information. This is the interface where the student will make updates of their progress and receive advice and guidance from their supervisors.it is where the student will log in to use the system. Supervisor account (Form B): this is the interface where the supervisor will log in to the system and access the student records and also receive updates on the students’ progress (Joseph 2003, pp. 72). Data search (Form C): this interface that allows both the students and the supervisors to search for the information on their projects in the database.it also provides links to reliable external source of information. Project specification: entails a study that ensures that all the project requirements are known (Joseph 2003, pp. 93). Web interface: where users can log in to use the system. 2.4 How the outcome will be evaluated The project design process will have three check points to test the system; first check point is the graphical user interface testing to ensure the systems user interface meets the documented specifications. The form designs, that is, Form A, B, C are tested by using test data (Ireland 2006, pp. 183). However the most appropriate way of testing the user interface is to integrate a driver into the interface that allows events and commands to be sent to the system from a different program. This type of testing is reliable due to the automation of both input and output testing thus eliminating possible errors (Harrison & Lock 2004, pp. 84). The second check point is integration testing this is to ensure functionality of the different components of the system and its overall performance and its reliability. The major entity to be tested is the database its design and the integration with the graphical interface and the online accounts. This will guarantee the system stability (Grisham 2009, pp. 129). The third check point is a usability testing this is observing the users of the system and determining whether there are errors to be corrected and improvement where need be. The process will involve measuring of the efficiency, recall, accuracy and emotional response of the system users (Cadley 2004, pp. 83). The results are then used as a control or baseline and subsequent improvements to the system modules and components will be made in accordance with these results (Boris 1984).The four basic areas in the usability testing are: Performance: this is a measure of how long and how many procedures need to be followed by the system users in order to complete basic tasks which may include, registration, and data search (Barker & Cole 2007, pp. 62). Accuracy: this is a measure of how accurate the users are in the process of using the system, the number and nature of mistakes they make. Recall: this is a measure of the ability of users to recall after a long period of not using the system. Emotional response: this is a measure of how the users feel about the system; does the system serve their purpose? Does it help them in the best way possible to complete their projects? An overall compatibility test is then performed to ensure that the system is compatible with its computing environment which includes the computer hardware, operating system, peripheral devices, network devices and other software’s such as web browsers and network software (Anderson, Grude & Haug 2009, pp. 62). 3. Project plan and resources 3.1 Project resources The project will require the following resources: A lap top computer installed with relevant computer programs to aid in the process of system design and testing. There will be need for a flash drive for storage of data and information and also for backup. Also, there will be a database and web development software for development of the database and the webpages. 3.2 Bibliography In the course of this research paper, the following research materials will be used: Cadley, Y 2004, Project management for information systems, Pearson Education, London Anderson, ES, Grude, KV & Haug, T 2009, Goal directed project management: Effective techniques and strategies, 2nd edn, Kogan Page Publishers, New York. 3.2 Project plan Project time line References Anderson, ES, Grude, KV & Haug, T 2009, Goal directed project management: Effective techniques and strategies, 2nd edn, Kogan Page Publishers, New York. Barker, S & Cole, R 2007, Brilliant project management: What the best project manager should know, say and do, 2nd edn, Pearson Prentice Hall, New York. Cadley, Y 2004, Project management for information systems, Pearson Education, London. Grisham, TW 2009, International Project Management: Leadership in Compex Environments, 4th edn, John Wiley and Sons. Harrison, D & Lock, J 2004, Advanced project management: A structured approach, 5th edn, Gower Publishing Ltd., Illinois. Ireland, L 2006, Project management, McGraw-Hill Professional, New York. Joseph, P 2003, PMP project management professional study guide, 1st edn, McGraw-Hill Professional, New York. Koster, K 2009, International Project Management, 5th edn, SAGE Publications, Berlin. Lientz, BP & Rea, KP 2003, International project management, 4th edn, Academic Press. Lock, D 2007, Project management, 4th edn, Gower Publishing Ltd., Mumbai. Lock, D 2007, The essentials of project management, 6th edn, Gower Publishing Ltd., Mumbai. Nicholas, J & Steyn, H 2008, Project management for business, engineering, and technology: Principles and practice, 3rd edn, Elsevier, New York. Schwalbe, K 2009, Information technology project management, 5th edn, Cengage Learning, New York. Straw, R 2005, Risk management for ICT project management, 5th edn, Prentice Hall, New York. Young-Hoon, K 2005, 'A brief history of project management', The Story of Managing Projects, vol 2, no. 1, pp. 65-72. Read More