Systems Development Projects

Performance measures which can be used to evaluate systems development projects can take many forms.  Some of them are adherence to the timeline, staying under budget, user acceptance, and user feedback.  The first two mentions are related to the initial planning.  If the planning is not performed correctly or thoroughly enough then the project will most likely be off track and under rated.  The last two options relate to how the user perceives the product wile in construction and after it is delivered.  Ultimately if the client is unhappy with the finished product it will be hard to categorize the project as a success.  The user requirements must be obtained and followed through with in the project to ensure the success of the project.

Outsourcing in Projects

                The use of outsourcing has the potential to have a major impact on the way projects are conducted.  Many factors have to potential to come into play.  Some of them are time zones, cultures, communication difficulties and work practices.  These factors may or may not come into play.  Outsourcing does not mean the work will be done in a different country but differences across companies can still create problems.

                It is essential to have a thoroughly planned and agreed upon approach to project at hand.  Everyone involved must know what is to be done and when.  To facilitate this, regular communication is an aspect which is nonnegotiable.  This is the only way the project has a chance of success.

Module So Far

     This module so far has been informative and enlightening in many different aspects.  The areas of knowledge which are focused upon are of interest to any who is conducting any type of project, not just an IT related project.  Some of the aspects of project management would not have occurred to me if they had not been taught, or personally experienced in some cases.

     The inclusion of a real world project to manage has been enlightening, if not frustrating.  The difficulties which have presented themselves while working on the project seem to continue to present themselves.  The issue of time management and delivery dates seems to now the primary concern while in the end of this module.