Homework I
Reflect on the assigned readings. Identify what you thought was the most important concept(s), method(s), term(s), and/or any other thing that you felt was worthy of your understanding.
Also, provide a graduate-level response to each of the following questions:
1) What are the practical implications internally (in terms of team motivation) and externally (for the customer) of making overly optimistic project delivery promises?
2) Consider a project to build a bridge over a river gorge. What are some of the resource constraints that would make this project challenging?
3) It has been argued that a project schedule that has not been resource-leveled is useless. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not?
Homework II
Case Study A: It's an Agile World
This case illustrates a common problem in software and IT development, where programmers and IT staff are anxious to lock in specifications as early as possible so they can "get to work" without having to worry about invasive or disruptive input from the end users. Unfortunately, what typically happens is that the finished product is not what the users needed or thought they needed and a long list of fixes and modifications are needed to make it work correctly. This case is based on a true story in a hospital IT department that routinely struggled with these sorts of user conflicts until they sifted to an Agile methodology.
Questions
1) Why does the classic waterfall project planning model fail in this situation? What is it about the IT department's processes that leads to their finished systems being rejected constantly?
2) How would an Agile methodology correct some of these problems? What new development cycle would you propose?
3) Why are "user stories" and system "features" critical components of an effective IT software development process?
4) Using the terms "Scrum," "Sprint," and "User stories," create an alternative development cycle for a hypothetical software development process at Northwest Regional Hospital.
Case Study B: "First Come, First Served": Resource Challenges for Sunrise Restoration
This case is intended to highlight the challenges in resource homework, particularly in the common cases where project managers within the same firm are competing with each other for the use of scarce and valuable human resources to accomplish their tasks. Without clear guidance from top management and a valid priority system, the ability to acquire resources is often the result of chaotic bargaining and negotiation among equals. This case is based on a real situation and the outcomes were very much in line with the way they are described in the case. The business owner did not want to simply invest in more resources for fear that they would be underutilized. He much preferred the system of negotiating among his project managers, even if that led to inefficient utilization of the resources that were available. Students can be asked to take the side of the owner or Tyler to debate the options that Sunrise can use to manage its resources.
Questions
1) Describe some of the resource constraints that Sunrise and its project managers are facing.
2) Is Sunrise's current model of prioritizing resource homeworks viable? Why or why not?
3) How could technology alleviate some of Sunrise's resource management issues?
4) Would Tyler's suggestion to hire additional technicians and purchase more equipment solve the resource problems at Sunrise? Why or why not?
Homework III
Complete the calculations for the following two hypothetical projects then provide a one-page memo for each project (as if you were submitting to a supervisor) providing a detailed account of the current situation for each project with any recommendations. This homework should be 4 pages in length with the calculations on separate pages and each one-page memo on its own page. Use formulas provided in the Kloppenborg text. There will be no need to reference the textbook or any outside source in the memos. Just provide your analysis of the projects.
Project A
Use the following information to answer parts i through viii.
PV - $450,000
EV - $300,000
AC - $500,000
BAC - $1,500,000
i. Schedule variance (SV)
ii. Cost variance (CV)
iii. Schedule performance index (SPI)
iv. Cost performance index (CPI)
v. Estimate to complete (ETC-first method)
vi. Estimate to complete (ETC-second method)
vii. Estimate at completion (EAC)
viii. To-complete performance index (TCPI)
Project B
Use the following information to answer parts i through viii.
PV - $50,000
EV - $60,000
AC - $58,000
BAC - $150,000
i. Schedule variance (SV)
ii. Cost variance (CV)
iii. Schedule performance index (SPI)
iv. Cost performance index (CPI)
v. Estimate to complete (ETC-first method)
vi. Estimate to complete (ETC-second method)
vii. Estimate at completion (EAC)
viii. To-complete performance index (TCPI)
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.