Project Introduction
Background information
The Data Collection & Analysis Company is an organization that has been operating for less than two (2) years. The company expects to grow by 60% over the next eighteen (18) months. It currently collects data using Web Analytics and combines it with operational systems data. Web analytics is an increasingly important part of most business marketing plans.
Concurrently, it is looking for ways to leverage the collected data but wants to ensure that the installed IT infrastructure will support the expected growth that the corporation is anticipating. The company is mandated to design, build, and manage diverse information provisions.
It has recorded tremendous growth since its inception. The company started its active operations 2 years ago due to the increasing need for effective data management services by institutions. In its operations plan, the company collects data using web analytics integral in enhancing marketing plans in institutions.
Ideally, the company has been able to leverage its performance due to excellent management and timely delivery of services to the customers. According to the CEO, the company seeks to expand its operations to meet the demands of its growing customers effectively.
This has seen the management make viable modalities of software integration and acquisition of two additional floors to enable its expansion plans. Its outstanding performance has been propelled with its dedicated workforce.
The workers who are 24 in number including 4 IT specialists are working diligently to facilitate the realization of the institution’s objectives. The company’s current estimation in terms of assets and other valuables stands at $ 25 million. This shows how the company would advance its performance in the future.
Current outsourcing and off-shoring activities
The company is in the data management business where it offers reliable and credible data administration services to institutions. In particular, the company designs, builds and administers standardized data systems. This aids data capturing, storage and formatting for individual use especially in the targeted interventions and bilateral policy decisions (Bainey, 2004).
It also seeks to foster the coordination of web activities and data transfer systems. For example, E-mail campaigns, forums, web conferences, and submission incentives are all inclusive. The company majorly outsources IT professionals and operating equipments through leasing to help in meeting the needs of its growing customers.
This is due to resource constrains that the company faces that impede its ability to finance all the support activities. It off-shores data solutions, email marketing, aid web services, and enterprise data administration. The off-shore services are to build the company’s image and to leverage its performance levels in the market.
Information systems personnel in position, responsibilities and types of data that the company collects
Major personnel categories in the company include the overall system administrator, data encoder, processing officer, and software developer. In particular, the system administrator’s duty is to ensure optimal functionality of the IT department (Bainey, 2004). He organizes and coordinates all the activities established to ensure data safety and effective management to aid the realization of quality results.
Software developer or designer’s responsibility is to execute IT system maintenance and contribute in integrating modern operating software’s. Data encoder executes the role of evaluation of information before it is fed into the system for processing and storage. This is to ensure that data recorded conform to the specifications and standardized values of the company.
Processing officer coordinates processing of information (Bainey, 2004). Subsequently, the types of data that the company stores and manages include financial data, marketing, intelligence reports on business issues, Email campaign reports, and web conference information.
Description of the information systems
The company supports its business with effective web analytics and operating systems that aid data gathering, processing, storage, and distribution (Bainey, 2004). The systems have been integral in ensuring that the company is able to achieve its short-term goals that entail marketing and data safety plans.
Project Plan based on the based on the Microsoft project
Project plan, tasks, sub tasks, resources, and time related to the project
Tasks based on the Microsoft project
Planning, analysis, design, and implementation phases
Planning is a systematic approach on how the administration is to propel the operations in the institution and integration of the new system. It entails allocation of resources, scheduling of activities and deployment of staff to aid service delivery and purchasing of equipments.
Planning should be an initiative of management and should be done within the company’s capabilities to facilitate sustainability (Bittner & Spence, 2007). Analysis of the plans is critical to ascertain its viability by the management. This entails evaluation of the possible risks and productive level that the plans may pose to in the company.
Design is to develop a blue print of the project before execution. The process enables administrators to understand and identify all the necessary support systems that are crucial in facilitating quality implementation of the activities. The implementation process follows the design procedure. It is the stage where system developers take the initiative of installing the new system to aid operations.
SDLC
Indeed, System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a chronological sequence or procedure that guides software developers in their duty. It gives the activities that should be done from the beginning to the implementation point. This is to; eradicate possible mistakes that may compromise the operations of the new system (Bittner & Spence, 2007). The life cycle for the project entails
A project is set with specific objectives and deliverables (to be achieved within specified timelines). Projects must be set under realistic ideals and measurable terms to facilitate their success (Bainey, 2004). Data Company that seeks to roll out an IT related project should adopt conventional data management systems and integrate modern software(s).
CIO should implement the project within 8 weeks. The CEO and the CIO should design a viable working plan, purchase new equipments, and hire more employees to help in performing main tasks (Bittner & Spence, 2007).
Software development phases
Course learning outcomes, functions and activities within the information systems
Students are able to understand the company’s performance levels, its growth path, and expansion plans. The company seeks to acquire two more floors to facilitate its operations and software integration plans. Other deliverables include the data stored by the company as well as business and the software development processes.
Activities within the information system include data encoding, processing, storage, and delivery. The activities aim at ensuring effective data processing and conveyance to serve various needs of users. IT managers have a role to ensure excellent administration of data in institutions, execute proper planning on development, and identify areas of adjustment to aid service delivery.
Issues in information systems and strategic issues
Key issues that influence the integration of information systems range from strategic, social, political, and ethical concerns. Political issues appertain to policy formulation that influences acquisition and integration of software(s) and new systems especially on tax levies. Ethical issues relate to the ability of the stakeholders to conform to specified standards of operation (Bittner & Spence, 2007).
This is to ensure effective operations under set guidelines. Consequently, strategic issues that relate to planning and control systems are fundamental for growth. They hold immense significance in the development of new systems since they influence the scheduling of activities, allocation of resources, and development of requisite control measures.
References
Bainey, K. (2004). Integrated IT project management: A model-centric approach. Boston, MA: Artech House.
Bittner, K., & Spence, I. (2007). Managing iterative software development projects. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Addison Wesley.