Information Technology (IT) Projects
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Technology (IT)
Projects
Infrastructure Project
Management
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Information
Technology (IT)
Projects
Introduction
Information and communication technologies (ICT), sometimes called new
information and communication technologies (NICT), are concepts closely
associated with computer science. If the latter is understood as the set of
resources, procedures and techniques used in the processing, storage and
transmission of information, this definition has been qualified by ICT, since
nowadays it is not enough to talk about a computer when referring to
information processing. The Internet may be part of such processing, which
may be carried out in a distributed and/or remote manner. And when
talking about remote processing, in addition to incorporating the concept of
telecommunication, we may be referring to a device that is very different
from what is traditionally understood as a computer, since it could be
carried out, for example, with a mobile phone or an ultra-portable
computer (tablet), capable of operating in a network using
Wireless communication with increasingly more features, ease and
performance.
As has been said above on more than one occasion, a project is made up of
a series of activities that, when carried out in an organized manner, aim to
resolve a need.
An information technology project will attempt to achieve objectives
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through the implementation of information technologies, which are not an
end in themselves but a means to achieve other objectives set by an
organization.
A project requires all kinds of resources, including those related to
competent work teams, hardware and software equipment, physical space,
energy, financial resources, and others.
The proper management of all these resources will allow the achievement
of the proposed objectives, complying with the agreed budget within the
previously stipulated deadlines.
On the other hand, each project has an associated share of risk and
uncertainty. Only strict planning and control will allow us to reduce the risk
to a minimum and increase the margins of certainty.
Every project has special characteristics that distinguish it from other
ventures, some of these characteristics are the following:
• Goal-oriented
• Contain a set of interrelated activities
• They have a stipulated start and end time; if this is not
achieved, the project objective may fail.
These are some of the criteria that allow information technology projects to
be grouped or classified:
According to the functional area they support: An IT project can cover a
specific area or it can encompass different areas. As previously stated, an IT
project does not have an end in itself, without information technologies
providing a means to achieve an end, which is why it will never necessarily
belong to an area. This concept will be repeated over and over again to put
information technologies in their proper place.
According to the scope: An IT project can have different scopes, this
breadth in some way marks its limits. A project may be intended to correct,
improve or adapt a new or existing application.
existing. There is no single scope, but scopes vary from project to project.
According to technological architecture: the architecture on which a
project is going to be developed is also a form of grouping. A change in the
architecture of an information system can define a different way of
operating. A project can be developed in completely different
environments, from those based on Mainframe, others based on Windows
environments, to those that are not based on computers. They are all
essentially the same. They are all information technology systems projects,
but the way to approach them in technological terms is different.
Depending on whether it is built or purchased: An IT project may consider
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buying custom, buying a canned product, or buying components separately
so that they can then be assembled by a work team. The three models are
widely used by organizations and the choice of one or the other depends on
many factors, both external and internal to the organization. Some of these
factors are the cost of inputs, the need for specialized labor, the cost of
labor, the need to integrate the new system into existing applications.
By size or multiplicity: A project may be split due to its large size or a
project may contain other projects. When there is a multiplicity of projects,
it is necessary to take into account the interdependence that exists
between the resources used, the platform, the milestones, and the work
teams.
Regarding the latter, the work teams that will develop the project must be
made up of specialists with extensive technical knowledge in each of the
areas involved in the solution. This will allow you to create teams that will
efficiently carry out the project and will increase the chances of achieving
the objective. As for the project manager, he or she should not be an IT
specialist.
Aligning IT with the business
Information technologies can and should play a strategic role in the life of
the organizations that use them, either by protecting their competitive
advantages or allowing the survival of those that apply them.
Before moving on to the next topic related to the administration of the IT
project itself, it must be stressed once again that IT projects do not have an
end in themselves, but rather must be focused on organizational objectives,
understanding IT as a means to achieve them.
Reference bibliographies
Chinkes E. and Oriolo C. (2004). Information technology project management.
Buenos Aires. Argentina: Cooperatives.
Laudon, K. and Laudon, J. (2004). Management Information Systems. (8th Edition).
DF Mexico: Pearson Education.
Ramirez L. (2005). Management of the development of communication and
computer systems. Madrid. Spain: Thomson Editores Spain, Paraninfo SA
