Development of a Data Bank of the Happy Tots Child Care Centre - Case Study Example

2001ICT - Project Management Assignment 2 – 2009 By TO Date University Table of Contents Introduction 3 Project overview 3 3.Managerial Process 3 3.1 Managerial Objectives and Priorities 4 3.2 Assumptions, Dependencies and Constraints 4 3.3 Risk Management 5 3.4 Monitoring and Controlling Mechanisms 5 3.5 Staffing Plan 5 4. Technical process 5 4.1 Methods, Tools and Techniques 6 4.2 Work Product Documentation 6 4.3 Project Support 7 4.3.1 Quality Management 7 4.3.2 Verification and validation 8 4.3.3 Configuration Management 8 5. Work Package schedule 9 5.1 Work Package and Dependencies 9 5.2 Resource Requirements and Allocations 9 References 10 Introduction This report presents an over view of the overall managerial and technical process for the work packages relating to the schedule and budget for the execution of the project for the development of a data bank of the Happy Tots Child Care Centre. The project will determine the overall managerial process as to be utilized for the execution of the project in befitting manner. Project Overview Superlative Software has initiated the project for making a data bank relating to the child care centre. The implementation of the project needs the utilization of the managerial process for successful completion of the task. The project needs the utilization managerial processes along with the technical processes with the assessment of risks as are associated with the project. The risks are of various types relating to the financial as well as human resources and their handling needs managerial skills from the top management as on timely basis. The combination of all these skills will result in the completion of the task as in the shape of outputs as are associated with the project (1). 3.1 Managerial Objectives and Priorities. The managerial objectives as are associated with the project are ranging from the execution of the project as per its outlined objectives with the utilization of the managerial skills by the project manager through other members of the project team which includes quality Engineer, system analyst/ designer and two programmers. As the staff associated with the execution of the project are limited in number, therefore, an informal organizational structure with major authority with the project manger will suite for the project. All the project members need to work in close cooperation as in the shape of a team. The priorities of the project team will include timely completion of the project with the allocated resources both human and financial with the outputs as are associated with the project. 3.2 Assumptions, Dependencies and Constraints The project is being implemented on the basis of the assumptions that all the financial and technical resources will be available with the project management of team as on competitive basis, all the team members will work in close cooperation with positive mental attitudes for the attainment of the objectives of the project within the given time period. The project is depending on the close cooperation of all the stakeholders including the children and their families. The cooperation as in its positive shape is a major constraint for the project as non cooperation from any member will have the potential to adversely influence on the overall execution process(2). 3.3 Risk Management Risk management along with an effective risk management strategy is an essential tool for the execution of the project for the achievement of the targets as have already been determined for the project. A set of potential risks includes non availability of the technical resources for the execution of the project. The risk will be tackled with the preparation of a list of alternative markets and goods for their purchases if required as on emergency basis. The projects are executed with the use of human, financial and technical resources as input for the project. The risks are of two major types as internal risks and external risks and all types of risks will be t6ackled with the implementation of the risk management strategy as and when required (3). 3.4 Monitoring and Controlling Mechanisms The monitoring and controlling mechanisms are essential managerial tools. The progress of the project will entirely be supervised by the project manager as on regular basis. A set of controlling mechanisms will be adopted with the determination of targets and milestones for the project. The progress of the implementation of the project will be reviewed by the project manger with the assistance of all other members of the team. Any deviation from the normal track will be treated as a signal for its rectification as on timely basis. 3.5 Staffing Plan The executed with the help of the project team consisting of a project manager who is overall in charge of the project and is providing guidelines to all other members of the project team. The quality engineer will ensure the provision and utilization of all the necessary inputs with the required quality standards (4). System analyst/ designer and two other programmers will develop an organise necessary data relating to the child care centre with both means as on the basis of software programs as well as hard copies of the essential record relating to the centre. 4. Technical Process The implementation of the project relating to the development of software data for the child care centre needs the utilization of the managerial process along with the technical process as in the shape of a synergetic arrangement for the achievement of meaningful results. The technical process needs authentic data for all the members of the centre as on regular basis. The authenticity of the data and its verification are the key factors for the successful implementation process of the project. 4.1 Methods,tools and techniques The project is being implemented on the basis of a project plan which serves as a guiding map for the overall project implementation process. The roles of all the team members have already been determined in the project documentary. The members are executing their assignments as on the basis of work breakdown schedule as on activity basis. All these activities are divided on the basis of regular time schedule and are interconnected with each other. The management tools that is to deliver the project's assignments as with the utilization of motivational and leadership skills from the top management and the financial outputs as to the team members are the essential techniques for the timely completion of the project. 4.2 Work Product Documentation The work as in the shape of output is recorded in the form of proper documentation. All these outputs are recorded in a pattern as the list of deliverables and the outputs in an annotated form and their comparison provide a clue to the top management that the implementation process is being executed with a degree of satisfaction as with timely delivery of the deliverables. The product documentation as are endorsed by the top management is an indication that the work is being completed in a satisfactory manner. The documentation also serve as a model for the future similar projects with necessary alterations as are required in accordance with the needs of the projects. In the instant case a complete record of all the inhabitants of the Happy Tots Child Care Centre is a signal that the execution of the project has been completed in a satisfactory manner. 4.3 Project Support The project has a strong support in the shape of its strengths and opportunities as are associated with the project as a dedicated team management consisting of technical and managerial workforce is attached with the project. There is a strong commitment from the administration of the child care centre. The execution team has already gained sufficient experience for the implementation of the similar projects. The existence of the latest technology as in the information sector of the economy with the utilization of information technology is support for the overall managerial health for the project. 4.3.1 Quality Management The quality management in the project cycle management is ensured with the observance of the outputs as in the shape of comparison between the expected and observed data. The quality of the outputs is regulated through the application of relevant rules and regulations as are essentially required for the implementation of the project. The detailed design is a central regulatory authority which determines the overall boundary of the deliverables as on timely basis. Any deviation from the predetermined goals is a signal that the project implementation process has deviated from its normal track. The management of the executing authorities is vigilant of the fact and is taking necessary regulatory measures for putting the implementation process back on the normal execution pathway. The implementation process is regulated with the inclusion of milestones in the overall project implementation mechanism. The authorities are having the options in their overall plans so as to make strategic decisions as in favor of the project. 4.3.2 Verification and validation The verification process is utilized for the timely completion of the project with the observance of rules, regulations and essential codes for the overall implementation process. These items are the signals that the project has succeeded in the performance as was associated in the shape of objectives and goals during the planning stage of the project cycle management. The close examination of the objectives and goals with that of the outputs is a raw material for the evaluation process. The validation of all the data as on timely basis is a signal that the project management team has designed the targets in a perfect manner. Any significant deviation from the expected results to that of the predetermined goals provides a chance to top management to review the overall strategy for its revision. 4.3.3 Configuration Management The projects are designed in such a mechanisms that the configurations as are associated with the successful implementation of the project at all their phases. The projects are having set of interrelated and interconnected stages as starting from the formulation of the initial concept with a set of objectives, planning, implementation and review of the overall process. The structural arrangement is designed with the observance of the verification pattern of the entire project implementation process. The configurations are arranged in a systematic pattern as in the shape of priorities and order of preference from the top management of the implementation team. The pattern helps all the stakeholders to participate and engage themselves in the overall organizational structure with the optimum utilization of the resources. The top management with preferential arrangement are making strategic decision as to use optimum resources both economic and human for the achievement of maximum results in the shape of deliverable deliveries within a given time period. 5. Work Package schedule Work package schedule is determined on the basis of the activities and the outputs as are associated with the implementation of the project. The work package is scheduled in a systematic and logical manner so all the associated activities are moving in a logical manner. 5.1 Work Package and Dependencies The work package is consisting of a set of subtasks and all these tasks are designed in such a manner that their completion automatically associated with the accomplishment of the objectives of the project. 5.2 Resource Requirements and Allocations The resources are essential tools which determines the rate of success of the project .In the instant case, the resources are of various types like financial, human, technological and systems as are associated with the project. These resources are properly put in place for the achievement of the desired results with in the given time period. The resources are allocated on the basis of the activities as on cost benefit ratio as to use in such an arrangement that these resources work for the delivery of the assignments as are attached with the utilization of the resources. The availability of the resources for the projects is an indication that the project will move on the right path as with the utilization of the managerial skills from the top management of the organizations. References: 1. Avison, D E, & Fitzgerals, G. 2003. Where now for development methodologies? Communication of the ACM. pp. 78-82. 2. Bass, L., Clements, P. and Kazman, R., 2003. Software Architecture in Practice, 2nd Edition. Addison Wesley, Reading, MA, USA 3. Sommerville, Ian. 2004. Software Engineering (7th Edition). Addison Wesley. 4. Kenneth. C. Laudon. 1999. Management Information Systems, (Fifth Edition), New Jersey, Prentice-Hall. Read More