Student guide for unit 9
- 1. Unit 9 Project Management 60GLH P R Breach Summer 2021 Page 1 of 5 Pearson BTEC Level 3 IT Unit 9 Project Management Level: 3 Unit type: Internal Guided learning hours: 90 P R Breach Summer 2021 This unit is studied in the Diploma and Extended Diploma variants of the qualification. From the specification: Project management is the art of coordinating resources, both human and machine, and solving problems to complete an agreed set of objectives and/or to deliver benefits in a fixed time period, budget and to a specified quality. Ensuring the quality of IT projects in any sector is an essential requirement. The specification has 4 Learning Aims : A Investigate the principles and methodologies of IT project management as used in industry B Carry out a project initiation for an IT project C Carry out the planning, execution, monitoring and controlling of an IT project, using an appropriate methodology D Undertake the closure of a project by reflecting on the success of personal performance and the project outcome. These Learning Aims are assessed through a maximum of 3 summative assessments covering: 1) Introduction to Project Management (LA A) 2) Carry out the Initiation, Planning Execution and monitor & control of a project (LA B & C) 3) Close the project( LA D)
- 2. Unit 9 Project Management 60GLH P R Breach Summer 2021 Page 2 of 5 Assessment 1 A.P1 Explain, using appropriate definitions, the characteristics of different methodologies applied in IT projects. A.P2 Explain the project management structures applied in different IT projects. A.M1 Compare, using appropriate definitions, the characteristics of different methodologies and structures applied in IT projects. A.D1 Evaluate, using appropriate definitions, the characteristics of different methodologies and structures applied in IT projects. You will carry out guided research into Project Management generally and specific Project Management methodologies to develop a knowledgebase on the terminology used within the field, both in general and specific areas. Using this you will be able to explain the characteristics and structures of the different methodologies and structures. You will be able to identify and compare methodologies and structures within Project management and identify how these fit within the different methodologies. By comparing the characteristics of the different methodologies you will be able to evaluate the characteristics and identify suitable methodologies to broad “problem areas” Assessment 2 B.P3 Research with some inconsistencies an IT problem, based on a given theme and scope out at least two alternative solutions. B.P4 Prepare with some inconsistencies a feasibility study on an IT project and select a preferred solution. B.M2 Assess consistently at least two adequately researched solutions to an IT problem on a given theme and recommend a preferred solution C.P5 Plan with some inconsistencies and/or omissions the implementation of an IT project. C.P6 Execute with some inconsistencies and/or omissions the implementation of an IT project. C.P7 Monitor and control with some inconsistencies and/or omissions the implementation of an IT project. BC.D2 Evaluate consistently and comprehensively at least two researched and realistic solutions to an IT problem on a given theme and justify, using logical chains of reasoning, a preferred solution. BC.D3 Perform consistently and effectively appropriate project management processes to implement an IT-based project. This is about creating a Project Management document, and falls into clearly defined areas: 1) Initiation Phase 2) Planning Phase 3) Execution phase
- 3. Unit 9 Project Management 60GLH P R Breach Summer 2021 Page 3 of 5 Initiation Phase The syllabus document relating to this is part B. I suggest that the structure that this is laid out in, is an approach to learning the skills, and is not a structure for the documentation. Project idea generation. This will be a project that you must carry through the Project Management phases and using appropriate software construct an end product. Depending on the group (Diploma/Extended Diploma) there will be differences in the projects. You will need to provide information on the organisation the work is being done for – name, organisation type, the users of the system and what it is required to do. From this you will clarify with the client what functions and characteristics are required, the deliverables – those components that are identifiable and measurable. This creates the scope, what is and isn’t included in the project- defining the limits. This will be used to research similar projects and how they have been implemented, and perhaps provide some additional design ideas. Using this and a range of creativity tools, you will provide at least 2 alternative approaches to the problem with an outline costing and performance parameters. For each design idea, you will perform a number of assessments, acting as the feasibility study. Each assessment requires sufficient detail to enable you to perform an evaluation as to which design is deemed “best” Following from the evaluation you will produce a formal proposal, that identifies the project and its deliverables along with the planned method of approach using algorithms, flowcharts and other work as necessary. This is to include an overview of the client acceptance criteria. Planning Phase The planning phase is best regarded as a series of related documents that when combined produce the overall plan for the project. Previously you identified the Key requirements. Part of the planning phase is to break those down to smaller components that are capable of being measures for success. These are the DELIVERABLES of the project. These can be identified as Functional requirements – what the project must do and non-functional requirements that relate to how things are done. For example the processing speed, the tome to write to disk/read data back, security and maintenance issues. Specific planning activities include: The development of a resource plan. This includes people as well as physical resources such as cameras, digitisers etc as required. You should take account of resources that are needed for only part of the time, and may be in use elsewhere – managing scarce resources. A time plan. There are several ways of producing these, however one of the most common is the time plan that shows the relationship between activities and is displayed as
- 4. Unit 9 Project Management 60GLH P R Breach Summer 2021 Page 4 of 5 a Gantt Chart – in College we have access to MS Project, but others are available to download. Time limited software needs careful consideration. A Risk plan. Please note issues are thigs that happen that are not planned for, because by their nature they cannot be planned for. A risk is something that can be anticipated, and hence planned for. At its simplest a risk is something that can cause harm or injury,(The Risk), which can be banded into how much injury is caused, (Severity) and has a chance of occurring,( Frequency). Once these are assessed, the organisation has to take measures to reduce likelihood and severity through MITIGATING ACTIONS. Depending on the methodology used, the quality assurance can be identified in broader, or detailed statements. Detailed statements apply to linear methodologies such as waterfall, where a quality plan can be prepared in detail, as little if any changes to the specification are allowed. This table would have to include the details on what is being assessed, the data used, expected results and actual results and comments if there is a discrepancy – possibly how to fix the problem. There are a number of other items to be considered, which may be included in the above. Contingency planning or how to allow for time or budget flexibility – the management ahead of time for unforeseen events. The meeting, review and feedback with the client or representative – possibly on the Gantt Chart. EXECUTIONPHASE The project is constructed following the previously prepared plans. Inexperience may result in overly optimistic timeframes, budgets, or technical ability of the staff. These will all need to be recorded to be used in the project closure. If the planning is more realistic, there may be little variance from the plan. Evidence throughout the execution should be gathered to show A.) Adherence to the plan, or B.) Any problems encountered and how they were dealt with. In programming projects the need to produce annotated code cannot be stressed enough. This evidence cn be used in the project review- if not present it means the review cannot be completed MONITORING & CONTROLLING These plans will also allow MONITORING of the project to take place. Annotation of the Gantt Chart will show work completion actual against the plan and may record discrepancies from the plan in other areas, such as financial, risk etc. Control comes from attempting to address the points identified in monitoring For time based issues consider CRASHING as one technique but also consider others. As the Risk plan deals with predictable events, these should still be recorded if they occur, as should the unforeseen events and how they are dealt with through a logbook.
- 5. Unit 9 Project Management 60GLH P R Breach Summer 2021 Page 5 of 5 Assessment 3 D.P8 Explain how project management skills were used in the management of an IT project. D.P9 Explain how relevant behaviours were applied during the management of an IT project. D.M4 Recommend improvements to the project management skills and behaviours applied during an IT project. D.D4 Demonstrate consistently good technical understanding and analysis of the project, including the effective application of relevant project management skills and behaviours. Project Closure As well as disbanding the team so they can move to other projects, the closure phase involves a SYNOPTIC REVIEW of the process and the part played by all involved. Project management. Was the process fully understood and implemented. Did all involved know their roles in the project and complete the associated tasks according to the plans and through completion of relevant documentation.? Personal and inter-personal skills. Did you manage your time appropriately to complete your tasks? Were communications initiated as necessary to clarify areas of concern, and did you document them appropriately, including feedback and required actions arising from the discussions? Can you show that you demonstrated problem solving skills, initiative and creativity in the work? How well did you demonstrate professionalism, respect for others and that you took responsibility within the project? This is not about writing an essay, but about dealing with the evidence to support these questions. Without evidence there is little scope for anything above a PASS in this category. (M4 what is the basis for the recommendations? D4 Without evidence how can you meet these requirements?)