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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