Project Assignment: Project Plan Inception

This assignment consists of two sections: a project introduction and a project plan. You must submit both sections as separate files for the completion of this assignment. Label each file name according to the section of the assignment it is written for. Additionally, you may create and / or assume all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment.

You are a newly appointed Chief Information Officer (CIO) of a $25 million dollar data collection and analysis company that has been operating less than two years. It is expected to grow by 60% over the next eighteen months. Your company currently collects data using Web analytics and combines it with operational systems data. Web analytics is an increasingly important part of most business marketing plans. Your company is looking for ways to leverage the collected data but wants to ensure that the information technology infrastructure will support the expected growth that the company is anticipating. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has given you sixty days to deliver a comprehensive information systems project plan to address the organizational growth that the company is experiencing. The company will be expanding from one floor to three floors within six months. Since this is a relatively new company, there is currently limited technology infrastructure to support the business. All information technology (hardware and software) must be redesigned to meet organizational needs. The solution should be implemented in either a hosted solution, on-site solution, or a hybrid model. The CEO is expecting you to integrate different technologies from different partners and incorporate industry best practices and cost-effective solutions in connection with the development of technological systems. In addition, the CEO is extremely interested in cloud computing technologies and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) but is leery of security issues that may be associated. However, he is sure that you will implement proper security protocols. The company currently consists of twenty employees of which four, including yourself, are dedicated to the IT organization.

Section 1: Project Introduction

1. Write a four to six page project introduction that documents the current state of the organization, expands upon the information given above, and includes the following:

o Background information of the company.

o Details regarding the type of business that the company is engaged in.

o A description of current outsourcing and offshoring activities.

o Identification of current skilled information systems personnel in position and responsibilities.

o The specific types of data that the company collects.

o A description of the information systems that the company currently has to support the business. The description at a minimum should include the following:

o Operational Systems and Databases

o Analytics and Interfaces

o Infrastructure and Security

o The use of at least two quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

Section 2: Project Plan

Use Microsoft Project to:

2. Create a project plan (summary and detailed) using Microsoft Office Project. The project plan should:

o Record all tasks, subtasks, resources, and time related to the project.
o Outline the planning, analysis, design, and implementation phases.
o Develop in accordance with the systems development life cycle (SDLC).

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Describe the various functions and activities within the information systems area, including the role of IT management and the CIO, structuring of IS management within an organization, and managing IS professionals within the firm.

• Use technology and information resources to research issues in information systems.

• Write clearly and concisely about strategic issues and practices in the information systems domain using proper writing mechanics and technical style conventions.

Project assignment

This assignment consists of two sections: a project introduction and a project plan. You must submit both sections as separate files for the completion of this assignment.

Label each file name according to the section of the assignment it is written for.

Additionally, you may create and/or assume all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment.

Section 1: Project Introduction

Write a four to six page project introduction that documents the current state of the organization, expands upon the information given above, and includes the following:

Background information of the company.
Details regarding the type of business that the company is engaged in.
A description of current outsourcing and off shoring activities.
Identification of current skilled information systems personnel in position and responsibilities.
The specific types of data that the company collects.

A description of the information systems that the company currently has to support the business. The description at a minimum should include the following:

Operational Systems and Databases
Analytics and Interfaces
Infrastructure and Security

The use of at least two quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources.

Use a title page, abstract, in-text citations and references

Section 2: Project Plan

Use Microsoft Project to:

Create a project plan (summary and detailed) using Microsoft Office Project. The project plan should:

Record all tasks, subtasks, resources, and time-related to the project.

Outline the planning, analysis, design, and implementation phases.

Develop in accordance with the systems development lifecycle (SDLC).

See below on how to setup up your Project Plan using the Project Management Phases

For this assignment, we will we use at least four of the PMI Phases.

Initiating or Initiation, Planning, Executing and Closing

Reference

Microsoft Project for Software Developers Tutorial | Adding The Phase And Section Headings. (2014, February 28).

See below the details on the SDLC

1. Planning

This is the first phase of the systems development process. Identify whether or not there is the need for a new system to achieve the business"s strategic objectives.

2. Systems Analysis and Requirements

The second phase is where businesses will work on the source of their problem or the need for a change. In the event of a problem, possible solutions are submitted and analyzed to identify the best fit for the ultimate goal(s) of the project. Systems analysis is vital in determining what a business"s needs are, as well as how they can be met, who will be responsible for individual pieces of the project, and what sort of timeline should be expected

3. Systems Design

The third phase describes, in detail, the necessary specifications, features, and operations that will satisfy the functional requirements of the proposed system which will be in place. It"s during this phase that they will consider the essential components (hardware and/or software) structure (networking capabilities), processing and procedures for the system to accomplish its objectives.

4. Development

The fourth phase is when the real work begins particular, when a programmer, network engineer and/or database developer are brought on to do the major work on the project. This work includes using a flow chart to ensure that the process of the system is properly organized. The development stage is also characterized by installation and change. Focusing on training can be a huge benefit during this phase.

5. Integration and Testing

The fifth phase involves systems integration and system testing (of programs and procedures)-normally carried out by a Quality Assurance (QA) professional - to determine if the proposed design meets the initial set of business goals. Testing may be repeated, specifically to check for errors, bugs, and interoperability. This testing will be performed until the end user finds it acceptable. Another part of this phase is verification and validation, both of which will help ensure the program"s successful completion.

6. Implementation

The sixth phase is when the majority of the program is written. Additionally, this phase involves the actual installation of the newly-developed system. This step puts the project into production by moving the data and components from the old system and placing them in the new system via a direct cutover. While this can be a risky (and complicated) move, the cutover typically happens during off-peak hours, thus minimizing the risk. Both system analysts and end-users should now see the realization of the project that has implemented changes.

7. Operations and Maintenance

The seventh and final phase involves maintenance and regular required updates. This step is when end users can fine-tune the system, if they wish, to boost performance, add new capabilities or meet additional user requirements.