Project for Wireless Internet Access for Hostel (WIAH) Coursework

Scope

There has been great demand of more convenient wireless internet access by guests although internet connection is already available in the common rooms of the hostel at a reasonable fee. This is because most guests expect high speed wireless internet access wherever they stay and wherever they go – whether they are in their rooms, corridors, common rooms, canteen, etc.

The WIAH project is aimed at serving the following purposes as well as bringing the associated benefits to the residents:

1. Ever-increasing growth of mobile clients: There has been consistent increase in the percentage of notebook computers connected to the internet connectivity available, not including the wireless mobile devices such as smart phones and PDAs.
2. Readily Available Information: A wireless connection will enable higher network mobility allowing guests to access internet anytime, anywhere in the hostel while at the same time.
3. Facilitation of group-learning activities and remote tutoring: A wireless internet access would allow project groups or study groups to come together and promote group-based learning. Remote tutoring is another possibility.
4. Wireless handheld devices: Many wireless handheld devices today can access internet through wireless means only. Since these devices are more frequently used for communication, email as well as for internet access, the need for wireless internet access has increased.

The purpose of the WIAH project is to install wireless internet connectivity along the corridors covering 2800 beds and all three floors of the hostel. The project has to be executed keeping in mind the constraints:

1. The time frame for project completion is eight weeks.
2. The total budget is $100,000.

Project Deliverables

1. Project Management Plan – This document consists of the procedures and processes that will be followed in order to effectively manage the scope, cost, schedule, and quality of the project as well as monitor all the risks. Reporting requirements are also documented in order to ensure that timely information reaches concerned stakeholders.
2. Financial Plan – This would consist of detailed estimates of the cost to complete the project.
3. Quotations – At least three different companies who can meet the hardware and software requirements will be contacted for providing their quotations. These will include not only the price but also other factors like performance, after-sales services, etc. that will be used to select the company. This is to ensure that the company providing the best value is selected rather than the lowest cost.
4. Test plan – The test plan will consist of a detailed checklist to be followed to ensure that the wireless connectivity works at all designated places as per the performance expected.

Resources which project has at its disposal

The internet connection through ADSL broadband is available at the hostel.

Control mechanism

1. Quality checks will be made prior to acceptance of all deliverables/products.
2. The only major control gate is the acceptance of approval of the design.

Team characteristics

• Project manager/sponsor—Debra. Over 10 years of project management experience in the IT field. Known for meeting project deadlines and budgets.
• Contract manager—Denise. Almost 8 years of experience in vendor management. Known for his meticulous attention to detail especially with vendor contracts.
• Network specialist—Brian. Almost 12 years of experience in the IT networking field. Technical expert.

Ground Rules

The following ground rules need to be followed by all team members in order to have a more structured and professional way of working.

1. Meetings would be held during office hours only.
2. Scrum meeting to be held daily at 10:00 AM EST to discuss tasks planned for the day before, how much of it was completed and plan for the day.
3. Meetings will be held in the “blue” conference room.
4. All team members are expected to be in the room 5 minutes earlier with the details ready.
5. Cancellations or rescheduling of meetings requires at least 24 hours of notice, except in emergencies.
6. No meeting shall exceed a one-hour duration.
7. A project manager is a final authority for making decisions.

Schedule management

Budget management

1. Project Management – Quarter time required (10hrs/wk @ $50/hr) = $2000
2. Hardware – (3) Wi-fi arrays – Xirrus $10000 each = $30000
3. Contract Management – Full time required during procurement phase (40hrs/wk @ $40/hr for 2 weeks) = $3200
4. Network Specialist – Full time required (40 hrs/wk @ $35/hr) = $11200
5. Total = $46400 + 10% management reserve = $51040

Cost control

The major cost is the cost of equipment and the labor cost for network specialists. Costs will be monitored through daily progress meetings and status checks.

Quality management

1. All deliverables will be checked for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with industry standards. All hardware components will be evaluated for performance.
2. Due to the short timeframe of the project, quality checks for deliverables will be performed prior to final delivery. Quality checks for hardware components will immediately post-delivery from vendors.
3. For deliverables, all members will participate in reviews and quality checks. A checklist will be used for the same.
4. For hardware components, network specialists will be responsible. A test plan will be used for this purpose.

Personnel management

All team members will be awarded a bonus on the completion of this project.

Risk Management

The project is based on the hardware components and hence the major risk is around them. This means they need to be delivered on time, quality checks need to be done immediately and there should be no technical or performance issue with them.