Title: Instructor's Perspective - Module 3
Course: CIS2321 Information Systems > Section: Module 3 - Managing Systems Projects

Module 3: Managing Systems Projects

In project management you plan, schedule, monitor, and report on the
development of an information system. Successful projects are completed on
time and within budget while delivering a quality product that meets
requirements. The project manager monitors the project and takes corrective
action to stay on target. Regular progress reports should be made to
management, users, and the project team.

Large project development includes three steps: creating a work breakdown
structure, identifying task patterns, and calculating the critical path. Project
managers should consider all aspects of the project tasks. In addition to tasks,
every project has events, or milestones.

A critical path is a series of tasks that would affect the completion date of the
overall project if there were delays. Any task on the critical path that falls behind
schedule can delay the entire project. To decide which the critical path tasks are,
you calculate the start and finish date for each task. This will determine the
critical path for the project.

A Gantt chart is used to represent the project schedule for a project. A horizontal
bar chart represents the project schedule with time on the horizontal and tasks
represented vertically. It includes both individual tasks and task groups. A
PERT/CPM chart shows the project as a diagram with tasks connected by
arrows. A project manager can use a PERT chart to determine the overall
duration of the project. In addition, the chart provides information for each task.

In the end, every successful information system must support business
requirements, stay within budget, and be completed on time.

Attachments

- Mod3_InstructorPerspective.pdf