~Reflections on the IT Project Management Class.~

~IT Project Management or course code for this subject is INFO 3501 required taken by minor student of IRKHS. Like me, I have to register this subject for completing my minor degree of ICT. For the 1st time, I assumed that this class will be pressure because of the term of the ‘management’. I took this class at every Monday and Wednesday evening. Due to the time, of course this class will boring and feels sleepy. However, I must attend the class and I also want to know what will be discussing in class lessons. On 13th July 2009 is my 1st class for IT Project Management. I come early due to the class located far from my college. I can’t wait to know who will become my instructor for this class. ~

~Madam Masita is my instructor. Actually, she is a staff at Information Technology Department at IIUM. She is very kind hearted person I think for the 1st time I meet her. The 1st class, we just introduce ourselves to madam. She also brings in what the meaning of IT Project Management as well. At the beginning I assumed that this subject very difficult to score because the book that we asked to by is very thick and many terms that we must know. Madam Masita gives an advice “before come to the class we must take a few minutes to skimming the lessons”. ~

~Two month later, I’m very exciting come the class regarding to the topic or chapter will becoming interesting and challenging. An additional, madam Masita will make some games or quizzes to make the class happening and not feels sleepy. I like to involve because it will more interesting while increasing my knowledge about Project Management. For example, madam teaches how to manage time properly within a project schedule. It is important to know the network diagram and other tools for good project time management. ~

~There is a group project that we must complete. This project want to see how we handle the project based on what we have learned in class. My group project is E-lelong, as we a project manager and team work must know how to apply all the IT Project Management. For instance, apply which nine knowledge areas which are scope, cost, time, quality, human resources, risk, communication, procurement as well as integration. As well as complete we should to present it at final class. I have the best group project which lead by Mohd Faiz and the other members are Mohd Fadhli, Hadijah and Fadzilah. We give full cooperation to make our project achieved the successful. I assumed that, this subject is very important to know because it will apply when work in organization. ~

~clasz aSsiGnmEnts~

~AssIgNment 1~
~AssIgNment 2~

~templates anD toOls for pRojEct ManaGemeNt~

~you may search any templates or tools for help in serve good project management~

~just click this link:http://www.method123.com/~

~cHaPtEr 12:prOjEct ProcuReMenT manaGeMeNt~

~the processes of project procurement management~

~For the last chapter, it will discuss about project procurement management. It is very necessary to understand what the actual meaning of the procurement and also the importance of it. Other terms for procurement include purchasing and outsourcing goods or services from outside source. Outsource must implement because reduce both fixed and recurrent costs, allow the client organization to focus on its core business, access skills and technologies, provide flexibility and increase accountability. ~

~The project procurement management required six processes to obtain goods and services for a project from outside. There are six main processes: 1- Planning purchases and acquisitions. 2- Planning contracting. 3- Requesting seller responses. 4- Selecting sellers. 5- Administering the contract. 6- Closing the contract. All the stage of processes will have several tools and techniques to help project managers and their teams for example for planning purchases and acquisitions processes best tool like Make-or-Buy Analysis, expert judgment, and contract types. There are also uses the software which to assist in this project such: Word-processing software helps write proposals and contracts, spreadsheets help evaluate suppliers, databases help track suppliers, and presentation software helps present procurement-related information. E-procurement software does many requirement functions electronically. ~

~sample of Contract Types Versus Risk~

~sample of Statement of Work (SOW) Template~

~cHaPtEr 11:prOjEct RisKs manaGeMeNt~

~processes in project risk management~

~Chapter 11 has discussed about project risk management that will includes the understanding of the importance of good project management risk. As noted, there is the art and science of identifying, analyzing, and as well as responding to risk throughout the life of a project. It also can help improve project by helping select good projects, determining project scope, and developing realistic estimates. For the actual, risk can be a negative risk and positive risk. Negative risk mentioned that the responsibility of loss or injury, while positive risk is the risk that result in good things happening and also called an opportunity. There are have six processes in project risk management which risk management planning, risk identification, qualitative risk analysis, quantitative risk analysis, risk response planning, risk monitoring and control. ~

~sample of Risk breakdown structure~

~There is much software that is provided to assist in project risk management for example like risk register can be created in a simple word or excel for those who not have any experience to use sophisticated risk software. For the expert use, the sophisticated software that is provide to assist such as Monte Carlo simulation tools which help in analyzing project risk. Result of good project risk management: unlike crisis management, good project risk management often goes unnoticed. Well-run project appear to be almost effortless, but a lot of work goes into running a project well. Project manager should strive to make their jobs look easy to reflect the results of well-run projects. ~

~Sample Monte Carlo Simulation Results for Project Schedule~

~cHaPtEr 10:prOjEct ComMuniCatiOnS manaGeMeNt~

~For chapter 10, it will discuss about the Project Communication Management. First and foremost we must to understand the importance of good communications in projects where the communications is the greatest threat to many projects is a failure to communicate and research shows that IT professionals must be able to communicate effectively to succeed in their positions. They must be having strong verbal skills as a key factor in career advancement for IT professionals. There will be explains the elements of project communications management which have four processes. They are communication planning, information distribution, performance reporting, and managing stakeholders.~

~1-communication planning is determining the information and communications needs of the stakeholders. 2-information distribution which is making needed information available to project stakeholders in a timely manner. 3-performance reporting that will collect and disseminate performance information, including status reports, progress measurement, and forecast. 4-managing stakeholder who is manages communications to satisfy the needs and expectations of project stakeholders and to resolve issues. There is the List various methods for improving project communications, such as managing conflicts, running effective meetings, using e-mail and other technologies effectively, and using templates.~

~Sample Template for a Project Description~

~There are also many software tools to aid in project communications such as project management software includes new capabilities to enhance virtual communications and suggested to use new tools, such as instant messaging and blogs, can enhance project communications. ~

~cHaPtEr 9:pRojEct hUmaN reSouRce maNagEmeNt~

~Chapter 9 has described about Project Human Resources Management that includes the processes required to make the most effective use of people involved with a project. Human Resource will include four processes which are Human Resource Planning, Acquiring the project team, developing the project team and managing the project team. 1- Human resources planning that identifying and documenting project roles, responsibilities, and reporting relationships. 2-Acquiring the project team that getting the needed personnel assigned to and working on the project. 3-Developing the project team which is builds individual and group skills to enhance project performance. 4-Managing the project team which is tracking team member performance, motivating team members, providing timely feedback, resolving issues and conflicts, and coordinating changes to help enhance project performance.~

~It will describe key concept to managing people. The important areas related to project management include motivation theories, Influence and power and Effectiveness. This chapter will review several theories which are the theories of Abraham Maslow, Frederick Herzberg, David McClelland, and Douglas McGregor on motivation, H. J. Thamhain and D. L. Wilemon on influencing workers, and Stephen Covey on how people and teams can become more effective.~

~Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs~

~There are several tools and techniques to help manage a project team and summarize general advice on managing teams such as observation and conversation, project performance appraisals, conflict management and issue logs. Describe how project management software can assist in project human resource management like software that can help in producing RAMS and resource histograms and project management software includes several features related to human resource management such as Assigning resources, Identifying potential resource shortages or underutilization and Leveling resources.~

~Sample of Responsibility Assignment Matrix(RAM)~

~cHaPter 8:pRoJecT qUaliTy manAgeMeNt~

~In chapter 8 we study about the Project Quality Management. Quality defines as “the totality of characteristics of an entity that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs” (ISO8042:1994) or “the degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfils requirements.” (ISO9000:2000). The purpose of Project Quality Management is to ensure that the project will satisfy the needs for which it was undertaken. We must understand the important of project quality management and understand how quality relates to various aspects of information technology projects. ~

~We must know that quality must be on an equal level with project scope, time, and cost. Project Quality Management will involve three main processes which are include quality planning, quality assurance, and quality control. Firstly, quality planning that will identify which quality standards are relevant to the project and how to satisfy them for example allowing for system growth, planning a reasonable response time for a system and apply quality standard to information technology services. In this processes, we have design of experiments that helps identify which variables have the most influence on the overall outcome of process. There are the scope aspects of IT projects such as: functionality, system outputs, performance and reliability. ~

~Secondly, quality assurance that will be includes all the activities related to satisfying the relevant quality standards for a project. Another goal of quality assurance is continuous quality improvement in the project. We must know about the benchmarking and a quality audit for this second process. Finally, quality control which is the main goal is to improve quality, the main outcomes of this process are acceptance decisions, rework, and process adjustment. There are seven tools and techniques for quality control are known as the Seven Basic Tools of Quality: 1-Cause-and-effect diagrams 2-A Control Chart 3-A Run Chart 4-A scatter Diagram 5-A Histogram 6-A Pareto Chart and 7-Flowcharts. ~

~Sample Quality Control Chart~

~Sample of Histogram~

~It will describe about Statistical Sampling which is a key concept in Project Quality Management. Members of project team must focus on the quality control and understanding of statistic. It involves choosing part of a population of interest for inspection. There is a Six Sigma principle that must we know. Six Sigma define as “a comprehensive and flexible system for achieving, sustaining, and maximizing business success. This principle follows a five-phase improvement process called DMAIC which stand for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control. ~

~cHaPter 7:pRoJecT cOst maNagEmenT~

~chapter 7 has discussed about Project Cost Management that important to understand the importance of project cost management which is the CHAOS studies found the average cost overrun means the additional percentage or dollar amount by which actual cost exceed estimates; ranged from 180 percent in 1994 to 43 percent in 2002. ~

~Project cost management includes the processes required to ensure that the project is completed within an approved budget. Three important processes involve are; 1-cost estimating that developing an approximation or estimate of the costs of the resources needed to finish a project. A cost management plan is a document that describes how the organization will manage cost variance on the project. There are several tools and techniques for cost estimation such analogous or top-down estimate, bottom-up estimate and parametric modeling. 2-cost budgeting which allocating the overall cost estimate to individual work items to establish a baseline for measuring the performance. The WBS is a required input to the cost budgeting process to produce a cost baseline as an ultimate goal. 3-cost control that controlling changes that will occur to the project budget.~

~This chapter also focuses on the Basic principle of cost management like profits, profit margin, life cycle costing, cash flow analysis, tangible cost, intangible cost, direct cost, indirect cost, sunk cost and so on. We also focus on the Earned Value Management (EVM). EVM is a project performance measurement technique that integrates scope, time, and cost data. There are terms for EVM: planned value (PV), actual cost (AC), and earned value (EV). ~

~earned value formulas~

~cHaPter 6:prOjeCt tiME mAnaGeMenT~

~chapter 6 has discussed about project management time. For the time management, we must understand the importance of the project schedule which is delivering projects on time as planned. Schedule issues are the main reason for conflicts on projects, especially during the second half of projects. Project Time Management Processes involved six important elements which are activity definition, activity sequencing, activity resource estimating, activity duration estimating, schedule development, and schedule control. ~

~1-activity definition involves developing a more detailed WBS and supporting explanations to understand all the work. It will define the activity list, activity attributes as well as a milestone. 2-activity sequencing that reviewing activities and determining dependencies. We must determine dependencies in order to use critical path. There are two techniques for showing activity sequencing which are Activity on Arrow (AOA) network diagram also called Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM) and Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM). These two techniques have differences based o their showing activities. AOA or ADM will represent activities by arrows while PDM represent the activities by boxes. ~

~sample of AOA network diagram~

~sample of PDM network diagram~

~3-activity resource estimating focus on the recourse that will be use. A Resource breakdown structure is a hierarchical structure that identifies the project’s resources by category and type. 4-activity duration estimating focus on the duration and effort those will be use in activity projects. 5-schedule development will uses results of the other time management processes to determine the start and end date of the project. The goal is to create a realistic schedule that provides a basis for monitoring project progress. The tools and techniques include Gantt charts, critical path analysis, critical chain scheduling and PERT analysis. We also discussed more how to use and calculate the critical path in the project. 6-schedule control which performs reality checks on schedules. Techniques that include are progress reports, a schedule change control system and project management software. ~

~cHaPter 5:prOjecT scOpE manaGeMenT~

~for chapter 5, it has describing about the project Scope Management. We should to understand the important elements that make good project. There are five steps involved in which are scope planning, scope definition, creating the WBS, scope verification and scope control. The last two processes which are from the monitoring and controlling. ~

~Scope planning: the scope management plan is a document that includes description of how the team will prepare the project scope statement and create the WBS. Requirements include the project charter, preliminary scope statement, and project management plan. Scope definition: the basis that needs to create the project scope statement such the preliminary scope statement, project charter, organizational process assets and approved change request. Create WBS: A WBS is a deliverable-oriented grouping of the work involved in the project that defines the total scope of the project. There are several approaches to develop WBS like using guidelines, analogy approach, top-down approach, bottom-up approach and mind mapping approach. ~

~example of mind mapping approach to create WBS~

~Scope verification: it is involves acceptance of the completed project scope by the customer and sponsor. Scope control: involves controlling changes to the project scope. Project management software can be assist to help in creating WBS, the basis for task on a Gantt chart. ~

~cHaPter 4:prOjeCT intErGratiOn manAgEmenT~

~chapter 4 has covers the Project Integration Management Processes. Its describe an overall framework for this process as relates to the other project management knowledge areas as well as the project life cycle. Regarding for project integration management there are involved seven processes. First, develop the project charter which working with stakeholder to create the document that formally authorizes a project (the charter). Second, develop the preliminary project scope statement that working with users of the project’s products, services or result to develop the high –level scope requirements and create a preliminary project scope statement. These two processes come from initiation process in project management process groups. For the planning process, there is involved develop the project management plan that coordinating all planning efforts to create a consistent, coherent document which is the project management plan. Forth, direct and manage project execution which carrying out the project management plan by performing the activities involved in it. Next, the project must be monitor and control by project manager to overseeing project progress that meet the performance objectives of the project. Then, there must be perform integrated change control to coordinating changes that will be affected the project’s deliverables and organizational assets. Finally, finalize all the project activities to close the project. ~

~there are also covers the methods for selecting projects that very important to implement before select the best project includes: 1-focusing on broad organizational needs such it must be determined the three important criteria for projects like there is a need, funds must be available and strong will to make the project succeed. 2-categorizing IT projects whether the project addresses a problem, an opportunity and directive as well as the time is how long it will take to do. 3-performing financial analysis of projects such Net Present Value (NPV), Return on investment (ROI) and Payback analysis. 4-using a weight scoring model by identify the best criteria and assign the scores. 5-implemented a balanced scorecard which is a methodology that converts an organization’s value to a series of defined metrics. Business Service Management (BSM) is tools track the execution of business process flow. ~

~cHaPteR 3:thE prOjeCT mAnaGemEnT ProcEsS grOups:A caSe sTudy~

~chapter 3 have describe briefly about process groups in project management. We need to know and understand the typical level of activity for each group as well as the interaction between them. This chapter have include how the project management process groups relate to the project management knowledge areas that we discussed earlier at chapter 2. There will be a case study that applying the project management process groups to manage an information technology projects.~

~process means a series of actions directed towards a particular result. The five important process groups which start with INITIATING processes, PLANNING processes, EXECUTING processes, MONITORING and CONTROLLING processes and end with CLOSING processes. Among the processes groups, note that there are activities from EACH knowledge areas under the PLANNING and MONITORING and CONTROLLING processes. All INITIATING activities are includes in project integration management knowledge area.~




~a case study that applying the processes groups is JWD Consulting's Project Management Intranet Site. Start with project INITIATION is to recognizes and starts a new project. Key outputs are:1-assigning the project manager 2-identifying key stakeholders 3-business case 4-project charter. Followed by project PLANNING is to guide execution. Key outputs such a team contract and WBS. Then, project EXECUTION to ensure that activities in the project plan are completed. Key output for this process is a milestone report. For project MONITORING and CONTROLLING there is involves measuring progress toward project objectives and taking correction actions. Outputs like performance reports and requested changes. Ends this project with project CLOSING which focus on obtaining customer acceptance of the final products and services. Key outputs are lessons learned and part of organizational process assets. There ia also must be a final report and presentation.~

~cHaPter 2: the ProJect ManAgeMent & IT coNteXt~

~chapter 2 that i have learned about the organization which including the four frames, there are structural frame when focus on roles and responsibilities, secondly is human resources frame focus on harmony between the needs of both the organization and the people. Thirdly is political frame which the conflict and power are the key issues. Lastly is symbolic frame that focus on symbols and meanings related to events. The three sphere model for system management have discussed in this chapter. Business, organization, and technology are the three sphere for system management.~

~i also have learned about the organizational structure, there are three types of organizational structure: 1-functional: functional managers reports to the CEO

2-project: program managers report to the CEO

3-matrix: mixes from functional and project organization structure

~in this chapter, i need to understand the organizational culture also is a set of shared assumtions, values, and behaviors the functioning of an organization. There is also have been discussed the project phases and the projcet life cycle that includes four phases:1-concept 2-development 3-implementation and 4-close-out. products also have their life cycles, the SDLC (system development life cycle) is a framework that describe the phases involved in developing and maintaining IS.~

~IT projects be very diverse based on size, complexity, product produced, application area, and resource requirements. IT project also diverse the background and skill sets of team members, the technology in IT projects diverse and change rapidly.~

~cHapteR 1:inTroduCtion tO proJect maNagemenT~

~according to this chapter,we must focus on the needs for the better project management. There is also important to know what the means by project. Project means "a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result".The project is different with operation which operation is work done to sustain business. We need to know the attributes of the project such as unique purpose and requires resources from various areas. VoIP, Outsourcing, Data networking, CRM are several example of Top Ten Technology Projects in 2006. Successful project will achieved when meeting all three goals which are Scope, Time and Cost. They are also called The Triple Three Constraint of Project Management.~

~What is project management? Project Management define as "the application of knowledge, skill, tools, and techniques to project activities to obtain project requirements". Project stakeholder is very important to built the kind of project. Stakeholder means the people who involved in or affected by projects activities. There are such of Stakeholder that will manage the projects like the project Sponsor, the project manager, the project Team, support staff as well as the customer and the user.~

~This cahpter also include Nine Project Management Knowledge Areas that are from four core knowledge areas lead to specific project objectives (scope,time,cost and quality), four faciliting knowledge areas which the project objectives are achieved (human resources, communication, risk, and procurement management) and lastly is project integration management as one knowledge area that is affected by all of other knowledge areas. There is include the technique and tools to assist project manager in managing the project for example tools includes are Project Charter, Scope Statement, WBS use in Scope management process. Gantt Chart, network diagram, Critical Path Analysis, and critical chain scheduling will use in Time management process. In Cost management process there is estimated and earned valued management that will assist project manager.~

~There is describe the differences between project management and project portfolio management. Project management applied tactical goals while the project portfolio management applied the strategic goals which focus on long term goals. Project manager will plays the important role like planning,scheduling as well as coordinating and they must be have importnat skill such as leadership, listening, verbal communication, strong at building teams. Different skill needed in different situation or project that will be manage. When large project, there must be applied various skill. There are much more different software or product will be assist in performing project management. We may choose based on three categories of tools like low-end tools, midrange tools and high-end tools also called enterprise management software. We may search this tool at http://www.vsonline.com~

~proJecT manAgeMent in IT~

~inFormaTion teChnoLogY pRojEct maNagemEnt~
...course code INFO3501...
cover 12 Chapters which is summarize from book material learning.
"INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROJECT MANAGEMENT" by KHATY SCHWALBE.

my eDucation anD mY gOal

~pRimary sChoOl~
In 1993 i got my early education at Sekolah Kebangsaan Benut. At school i was an independent pupils and have many friends. I was study very hard to get 5As in Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah. Alhamdulillah, according to my hardworking and praying i was success get 4As 1B in that examination. i wish to further my study at sekolah berasrama penuh.

~sEconDary sChoOl~
In form one in 1999 at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Johor Bahru. At this school i was live far from my family because hostel is provided to their students. As a active student, i like to involve society and club that organized by school such as pembimbing rakan sebaya, persatuan puteri islam and president of the hostel. Eventough many responsible, my target to get 9As in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia is come first. I was success to manage time very well.

~inTernatiOnal IslamIc uniVersity malaYsia~
I got an offered from IIUM in Bachelor Fiqh Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Heritage and minoring in ICT. Why i choose to combine the Fiqh and the IT field because of i want to see the an IT apply in Islamic perspective. It means, eventhough the world become sophisticated and intelligence but the Islamic still very imporatnt and apply together that shows the ad-din are very universal and syumul. As an active student at IIUM, i like to involved society for example Wataniah Club. In this club, make me and myself are friendly and not afraid to face many people. I also learned to manage time with many activities which is diciplinary are very important.

~my gOal~
I wish to success in all field that i commit with my effort, sabar, doa and tawakkal...INSYAALLAH...

welcome!!!you learn you enjoy it....!!