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Syllabus 

  • project management approaches; prototype and structures 12 ATAR

 

Details

1. Facts – Prototype Approach

  • Prototype = a model of a product or solution
  • Prototyping = An interactive process to develop a system or product. Users and developers interact.
  • For what? Large scale = building a bridge or new skyscraper. Small scale = completing a website or a graphic design
  • Involves 4 steps: Identify basic requirements, Develop initial prototype, User review, Revise and enhance the prototype

Prototype Advantages

  • User can see the model and be able to talk about it
  • Helps resolve discrepancies among users
  • Gives users a feel for the final system
  • Helps determine technical feasibility
  • Helps sell the idea of a proposed system

Prototype Disadvantages

  • Leads people to believe the final system will follow
  • Gives no indication of performance under operational conditions
  • Leads the project team to forgo proper testing and documentation

2. Facts – Structured Approach


Traditional style of project management with stages which include; Initiation, Planning, Production, Monitoring and C losing.

Initiation Stage

  • What are the needs?
  • What is in place now?
  • What is the cost?
  • Who will use it? Who will develop it?

Planning Stage

  • Develop the scope (what is involved in the project)
  • Select the planning team
  • Identify tasks and who will do them
  • Estimate resources needed for tasks.
  • Estimate time and cost
  • Develop a schedule.
  • Develop a budget

Production Stage

  • Commence the tasks from the planning stage

Monitoring Stage

  • Are we able to continue?
  • Who is behind in their work?
  • How do we fix problems?
  • Is there a problem with the cost because a task is taking too long, unforeseen costs have come up

Closing Stage

  • Handing over the finished product
  • Write a review of the project.

 

FOR YOU TO DO

 1. What is a prototype?

2. What is prototyping?

3. What is an example of a large prototype project?

4. What is an example of a small prototype project for a student at a school?

5. What are the 4 steps in the prototype approach to project management?

6. Work in teams of 4.
Use a drawing package to create graphics to go with each step in the prototype approach.
Choose a project manager, he/she will allocate tasks (ie who will draw what stages, who will talk about the presentation)
Your finished graphics are to be combined into a presentation for a 2 minute talk.

7. Work in teams of 4.
Use a drawing package to create graphics to go with each step in the structured or traditional approach.
Choose a project manager, he/she will allocate tasks (ie who will draw what stages, who will talk about the presentation)
Your finished graphics are to be combined into a presentation for a 2 minute talk.

 

Learn more from 
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_management
MIS for the Information Age Chapter 6. 2010
Software Project Management by Maria Petridou
IT toolbox website for structured PM approach
 
 
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