This is about the processes involved in planning, scheduling, budgeting IT projects, and stakeholder’s accountability. There are some fairly well-established rules and procedures to serve as guidelines here. Here are two short online presentations that give a fairly useful overview:
References:
Gurmin, S. (2010). Effective project management. online presentation, ISSUU. Part 1 Retrieved from http://issuu.com/shaun-gurmin/docs/effective_project_management_presentation_01; Part 2 from http://issuu.com/shaun-gurmin/docs/effective_project_management_part_2
Drinkwater, A. (2011) Proper methods for resource planning. Retrieved from http://blog.projectconnections.com/project_practitioners/2011/02/proper-methods-for-resource-planning.html
Bart, J. (2011). 10 Golden rules of project risk management. ProjectSmart.Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/10-golden-rules-of-project-risk-management.html
CEIM Reporter. (2011, March 8). Owner’s project schedule management for high rise office building projects: A case study of scheduling. Professional Project Management Education. Retrieved from http://professionalprojectmanagement.blogspot.com/2011/03/owners-project-schedule-management-for.html.
Barron, M. & Barron, A. (2011, April 5). Project stakeholders. The Project Management Hut. Retrieved from http://www.pmhut.com/project-stakeholders-2.
Consider also the use of various accountability maintenance processes:
http://projectcontrolsonline.com/Home/DefinitionandImportance
ofProjectControls.aspx
Ten Step. (n.d.). Monitor and control the project. Retrieved from http://www.tensteppm.com/pv/4.0PMonitorCtrlProj.html
Gunlach, M. (2009, June 30). Understanding how project monitoring and controlling integrates to other processes. Bright Hub. Retrieved from http://www.brighthub.com/office/project-management/articles/40904.aspx
The task for Question 2 below is to assemble some propositions about how and when accountability for project operations and results can and should be determined. There is no shortage of advice, in these sources and elsewhere; some are likely to be better supported by the literature and the evidence than others. Obviously, as noted below, this will obligate you to actually be able to present such evidence in an academically respectable manner. You will need to consider what accountability is, to whom it is owed, what sorts of things project managers are accountable for, and the relative costs and benefits of various degrees of accountability.
Case Assignment
When you have read through the articles and related material, please construct a critical analysis paper on the topics:
- Issues and conclusions regarding project planning, scheduling, and risk management from the construction case that also apply to information technology projects.
- Discuss and recommend how to maintain effective accountability in project management.
You’ll want to draw not only on what you have in the sources from this module, but from the preceding modules as well.
Assignment Expectations
The paper should be multiple pages over 5 and to the point. It is to be structured in the following manner.
Expected to:
- Begin this paper by stating your recommendations for accountability maintenance clearly and concisely
- Citing appropriate sources, present the reasons why you take this position. Be sure to make the most effective case you can.
- Then present the best evidence you can, again citing appropriate sources, against your position—that is, establish what counterarguments can be made to your original position.
- Finally, review your original position in light of the counterarguments, showing how they are inadequate to rebut your original statement.
- By the end of your paper, you should be able to unequivocally re-affirm your original position.
