SPM
SPM
In software project management, some major risks that could affect the success of the Brightmouth College payroll
project include: 1. Scope Creep: Changes in project requirements or additions to the scope can lead to delays and budget
overruns. 2. Resource Constraints: Inadequate resources, such as skilled team members or technology, can hinder project
progress. 3. Technical Challenges: Issues with software development, integration, or compatibility can impact project timelines.
4. Communication Breakdowns: Poor communication among team members, stakeholders, or vendors can lead to
misunderstandings and delays. 5. Budget Overruns: Exceeding the allocated budget can result in project delays or compromises
in quality. 6. Stakeholder Expectations: Misalignment of stakeholder expectations with project deliverables can lead to
dissatisfaction and project setbacks. It's important to address these risks proactively and have mitigation strategies in place to
ensure the success of the Brightmouth College payroll project.
2.Discounted cash flow (DCF) techniques provide better criteria for project selection in software project management than net
profit or return on investment (ROI) because they take into consideration the time value of money and provide a more accurate
representation of the project's financial performance over time. In software project management, where projects often involve
significant upfront investments and generate returns over an extended period, DCF techniques offer several advantages: 1. Time
Value of Money: DCF methods account for the fact that a dollar received in the future is worth less than a dollar received today
due to factors like inflation and opportunity cost. By discounting future cash flows back to their present value, DCF techniques
provide a more realistic assessment of the project's profitability. 2. Long-Term Perspective: DCF techniques allow project
managers to evaluate the financial viability of a project over its entire lifespan, considering both initial investments and future
cash flows. This long-term perspective is crucial in software project management, where projects often have complex revenue
streams and costs that accrue over time. 3. Risk Assessment: DCF methods enable project managers to incorporate risk factors
into their analysis by adjusting discount rates to reflect the project's level of risk. This helps in making more informed decisions
about project selection based on a comprehensive understanding of potential risks and rewards. 4. Flexibility: DCF techniques
offer flexibility in modeling different scenarios and assumptions, allowing project managers to conduct sensitivity analysis and
assess the impact of changing variables on the project's financial performance. This level of detail and flexibility is not typically
provided by simple metrics like net profit or ROI. Overall, discounted cash flow techniques provide a more comprehensive and
accurate evaluation of a software project's financial feasibility and potential returns, making them a preferred criterion for
project selection in software project management.
3. a) Possible benefits and disbenefits of the new computer-based claims settlement system: Benefits: 1. Mandatory
compliance: The system can ensure that all necessary steps and documentation are completed in accordance with regulations.
2. Quality of service: Faster claim settlements and streamlined processes can lead to improved customer satisfaction. 3.
Productivity: Reduced time taken to settle claims can increase the efficiency of the claims processing department. 4. More
motivated workforce: Empowering claims clerks with direct access to information can boost their job satisfaction and
motivation. 5. Internal management benefits: Centralized data and streamlined processes can improve overall management
efficiency. 6. Risk reduction: Standardized processes and direct allocation of repair work can help mitigate risks associated with
claim settlements. 7. Economy: Cost savings can be achieved through reduced administrative overhead and faster claim
processing. 8. Revenue enhancement/acceleration: Quicker settlements can lead to faster revenue realization for the insurance
company. 9. Strategic fit: The system aligns with the company's strategic goals of improving operational efficiency and customer
service. Actual benefits can be assessed by measuring metrics such as claim processing time, customer satisfaction ratings,
employee feedback, cost savings, revenue growth, and compliance adherence.
b) Challenges faced after implementation: 1. Additional stress on claims staff due to customer complaints about slow repair
work or poor quality. 2. Shortages of qualified repair people leading to delays in completing work. Projected benefits affected by
these developments: - Quality of service: Customer complaints about slow or poor-quality work can impact service quality. -
Productivity: Delays in repair work due to shortages can hinder the efficiency of claim settlements. Dealing with these problems:
1. Address customer complaints promptly and transparently, providing updates on repair progress. 2. Work with authorized
repair providers to expedite the process and ensure quality standards are met. 3. Explore options to address shortages of
qualified repair people, such as expanding the network of authorized service providers. Assessing success: - Monitor customer
feedback and satisfaction levels. - Track repair work completion times and quality. - Measure employee stress levels and job
satisfaction post-implementation. - Analyze any improvements in claim settlement times and overall efficiency.
Chp4: 1.(a) The concern about the usual methodology not being appropriate for the new project may stem from the fact that
developing a computer model of the property market, especially one that calculates the effect of interest rate changes on house
values, requires a more dynamic and data-driven approach than traditional structured systems analysis and design methods.
Alternative approaches that could be considered include Agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban, which are more flexible and
iterative, allowing for continuous feedback and adaptation to changing requirements. Additionally, using a data-driven approach
such as Machine Learning or Data Mining could be beneficial in creating accurate predictive models for the property market. (b)
Outline for the development of the system using Agile methodology: 1. Initiation Phase: Define the project scope, objectives,
and stakeholders. Conduct a feasibility study to assess the technical and financial viability of the project. 2. Planning Phase:
Create a product backlog with user stories detailing the features and functionalities of the computer model. Prioritize the
backlog based on business value and complexity. 3. Execution Phase: Implement the highest priority user stories in short
iterations called sprints. Hold daily stand-up meetings to track progress and address any issues. Continuously test and integrate
new features. 4. Review and Adaptation Phase: Conduct regular sprint reviews with stakeholders to gather feedback and make
necessary adjustments. Use this feedback to refine the product backlog and plan for the next sprint. 5. Deployment Phase: Once
the computer model is developed and tested, deploy it to the production environment. Provide training to users and ensure a
smooth transition to the new system. 6. Maintenance Phase: Monitor the performance of the system post-deployment, address
any bugs or issues that arise, and continue to enhance the model based on user feedback and market changes.
2. (a) A software prototype would be valuable in the context of designing and building a software package for software
cost estimation because it allows stakeholders to visualize and interact with a simplified version of the final product.
By creating a prototype, developers can quickly gather feedback from users, identify potential issues or
improvements, and ensure that the software meets the requirements and expectations of the end-users. This iterative
process of prototyping helps in refining the design and functionality of the software package before investing
significant time and resources into its full development.
(b) To control and ensure that prototyping is conducted in an orderly and effective way within a specified time span,
the following steps can be taken in software project management:
1. Define Clear Objectives: Clearly define the goals and objectives of the prototyping phase, including what features
or functionalities will be included in the prototype and what feedback is expected from stakeholders.
2. Set a Timeline: Establish a timeline for the prototyping phase, breaking down the process into smaller milestones
or iterations. Set deadlines for each milestone to ensure progress is being made within the specified time span.
3. Involve Stakeholders: Involve key stakeholders, such as end-users, project managers, and developers, in the
prototyping process. Gather feedback and input from stakeholders throughout the prototyping phase to ensure that
the prototype aligns with their needs and expectations.
4. Use Agile Methodologies: Consider using Agile methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban, for prototyping. These
methodologies emphasize iterative development, frequent feedback loops, and continuous improvement, allowing for
flexibility and adaptability during the prototyping process.
5. Conduct Regular Reviews: Schedule regular reviews and demonstrations of the prototype with stakeholders to
gather feedback, identify any issues or concerns, and make necessary adjustments. This ensures that the prototyping
process remains on track and that any changes can be addressed promptly.
6. Document Changes: Document any changes or feedback received during the prototyping phase to track progress
and ensure that all stakeholders are aligned on the direction of the software package. This documentation can also
serve as a reference for future development phases.
By following these steps and implementing effective project management practices, prototyping can be controlled and
conducted in an orderly and efficient manner, leading to a successful software cost estimation package.
(a) The physical dependencies that govern the order in which these transactions are implemented would likely involve
the need to first create customer records before any invoices can be generated or payments recorded. Additionally,
clearing paid invoices from the database may need to occur after recording cash payments to ensure accurate
financial records.
(b) To break the system down into increments that would be valuable to users, it would be beneficial to prioritize
functionality that allows for the creation and management of customer records first. This would lay the foundation for
future transactions such as amending invoices or recording payments. Incrementally adding features like producing
invoices and statements can then build upon this foundation, ensuring that existing details are accurately captured
and integrated into the system as it evolves.
5.To plan, organize, and carry out a JAD (Joint Application Design) session for designing or improving an intranet facility for
students in a college environment, the following steps can be taken: 1. Preliminary Interviews: Conduct interviews with
representative key stakeholders, such as staff members who will be supplying information for the intranet. Gather their input,
requirements, and expectations for the intranet system. 2. Creation of Documents: Develop documents that will be used during
the JAD session, including agendas, discussion topics, and any relevant materials or guidelines for the participants. 3. JAD
Proceedings: Organize and facilitate the JAD session, ensuring active participation from all stakeholders. Record the discussions,
decisions, and outcomes of the session to capture all relevant information. 4. Creating a Report: After the JAD session, compile a
report that presents the findings, recommendations, and proposed design changes for the intranet facility based on the input
and feedback gathered during the session. By following these steps and involving key stakeholders in the design process through
a JAD session, you can effectively plan and improve the intranet facility to better meet the needs of students and staff in the
college environment.
Chp:6 )1. I can provide you with a description of how you can create an activity network for each of the projects you mentioned:
1. Redecorating a Room: - Identify the main tasks involved in redecorating the room, such as selecting a color scheme,
purchasing furniture, painting walls, and arranging decor. - Create a list of these tasks and determine their dependencies. For
example, painting walls may need to be done before arranging decor. - Use activity-on-node or activity-on-arrow conventions to
map out the sequence of tasks and their relationships, showing which tasks must be completed before others can begin. 2.
Choosing and Purchasing a Desktop Computer: - Break down the process into key activities, such as researching computer
specifications, comparing prices, selecting a model, and making the purchase. - Determine the order in which these activities
need to be completed, considering dependencies like researching before selecting a model. - Create an activity network diagram
using nodes or arrows to represent each task and their relationships, showing the flow of activities from start to finish. 3.
Organizing and Carrying Out a Survey of Users' Opinions of an Information System: - Outline the steps involved in organizing the
survey, such as designing the survey questions, selecting participants, conducting the survey, and analyzing the results. -
Establish the dependencies between these activities, like designing questions before conducting the survey. - Construct an
activity network using the chosen conventions to visualize the sequence of tasks and their interdependencies in the survey
process.
8. 1. Lack of flexibility: Precedence and CPM activity network notations may not be suitable for complex projects with dynamic
or changing requirements, as they rely on fixed dependencies between activities. 2. Inability to handle resource constraints:
These notations do not explicitly consider resource constraints, which can lead to unrealistic scheduling and allocation of
resources. 3. Difficulty in representing parallel activities: Precedence and CPM activity network notations may struggle to
accurately represent parallel activities or overlapping tasks, which can impact the accuracy of project scheduling. 4. Limited
scalability: These notations may face challenges when applied to large-scale projects with numerous interdependent activities,
as the complexity of the network can become overwhelming. 5. Lack of probabilistic analysis: Precedence and CPM activity
network notations do not inherently incorporate probabilistic analysis, making it challenging to account for uncertainties or
variability in project timelines. It is important to consider these limitations when utilizing these notations for project
management and to explore alternative methods that may better suit the specific requirements of a project.