CIS499 Information Systems Capstone Final Assignment

Project planning and management are one of the most fundamental aspects of any business or company, and it is, therefore, crucial to ensure that these aspects are taken into consideration to provide the desired result to the business or company. It is imperative to take into consideration all the important aspects of the project before its launch to effectively ensure that all the deliverables that are involved such as cost, timeline, workforce etcetera are known before launching the project. Also, it is also critical to ensure that there is proper management of the project to derive a balance between planning and control and consequently ensure that it will run according to plan. To have a better understanding of this fundamental subject, this study will assess the following. The first analysis will be on the definition and description of the scope of the project. Also, the study will assess how to speculate and control the scope.

Moreover, the study will assess the possible risks, constraints as well as the assumptions. The study will further speculate on the needs of off-shoring as well as outsourcing. The study will culminate on an analysis of the identification of the necessary resources that are necessary.

Describe and define the scope of the project.

The project involves one, increasing the number of employees in the department of information technology. Also, the company will also aim at hosting the systems by itself. Despite the fact that the company had initially opted to host the system in other entities in order to reduce cost, the changing business dynamics have led to other costs and thereby prompting the company to rethink its current model and consequently opt to change the technological needs and also redesign the current structure in order to meet its current obligations (Chen & Mocker, 2010). In so doing, the company will need to host some of its systems to keep abreast with all the changing aspects of the business and make it easier for the company to keep tabs on their systems.

Also, the project will also involve the development of new designs and to train the employees or the personnel in the workplace on how to use the new designs. All the technological experts will be involved to ensure that they are the drivers of the information technology needs in the organization. Also, all the types of data will be merged to aid in the decision-making process. The authorized devices will be plugged in, to ensure that the user interface has become effective. Moreover, there are also some security measures that will be incorporated to prevent people that are not authorized from accessing the system as well as allow for disruptions, modifications, and disclosures (Shmueli & Koppius, 2011). A security management plan will also be developed to establish security protocols, and further protect all the information assets of the company. It will be imperative for the organization to protect all the databases before access and only authorized personnel will have access to the system. The project will also involve the use of a hybrid solution that will be made securely. It will also be important to ensure that all the essential aspects have been taken into consideration.

Speculate as to how to control the scope

The scope will be controlled in a way that will ensure that all the important aspects have been considered such as the cost of the project. In addition, the project will also involve timelines both short term and long term in a way that will enable the gradual and timely progress of the scope. The scope will also be controlled by ensuring that all the details and deliverables of the project are known before the launch of the project to ensure that everything has been established and that all the needed resources are known. The scope will also be controlled by ensuring that the entire workforce and the employees that are needed for the project are sourced and that they are assigned effective roles and responsibilities that will enable the project to be achieved within the set timelines. Besides, this will also foster the effectiveness of the project by ensuring that the tasks and responsibilities for conducting the project are assigned to the right people and with the right responsibilities to achieve the needed results.

Identify possible risks, constraints, and assumptions

Some of the risks that may emerge in the project include the risk of unprecedented costs as well as the risk of failing to complete the project on time. The major risk, however, is on unprecedented costs since it is not clear as to the amount of cost that will be involved throughout the project and more so after the completion of the project. There are some costs that can emerge in the course of achieving the project and thereby lead to an expensive project that may be difficult to achieve. Also, there is also the risk of unforeseen difficulties, which may also affect the completion of the project due to limited knowledge on the difficulties (Clemons & Kauffman, 2011). One of the constraints that may emerge includes the constraint of time, whereby the organization may be limited in time and thereby making it difficult to complete certain deliverables and consequently hamper the completion of the project.

The assumptions of the project include the following.

1. That the project will be achieved within the stipulated timeline

2. That the project will be achieved within the estimated budget and that there will be no additional costs that will be accrued or incurred in the course of achieving the project

3. That the project will have the necessary workforce to foster the completion of the project

Describe the relationship and integration between systems and infrastructure. Note: Database and Data Warehousing, Analytics, Interfaces, and Cloud Technology, and Infrastructure and Security should be considered.

The relationship and integration between infrastructure and system are borne out of the fact that they are both dependants on one another. The data warehousing and analytics are related to one another by virtual of the fact that they both contain the cloud technology and interface that is needed for the project. The infrastructure should also be conducted in a way that will foster security to enhance the security of the system and consequently lead to the attainment of the project.

Speculate on potential outsourcing or offshoring needs

Some of the outsourcing and offshoring needs that may be required include outsourcing for technology that may be needed for the completion of the project but may not be currently present in the project. Also, the company may also outsource for more employees and more particularly professionals in the information and technology sector with advanced knowledge or vast experience that may not be currently present in the organization or company. The organization may also outsource warehouses if the current ones within the organization or company seem insufficient or if the company finds a need to look for more to necessitate the faster completion of the project.

Identify and justify the necessary resources including staffing that is necessary

Some of the resources that will be needed for the completion of the project include first and foremost an efficient budget to cater for the cost of the project (Chen & Mocker, 2010). The project will also require an efficient workforce that will be achieved through proper staffing to ensure that there is a sufficient workforce to undertake the project. The resources such as the data warehouses will also be resourced to ensure that all the needed resources for making the project are there. Finally, it will also be critical to ensure that all there is a proper plan or blueprint that will guide the project towards its completion (Shmueli & Koppius, 2011). All the above will have to go together to foster the successful realization of the project and to ensure further that the project is completed on time.

References

Chen, D. Q., & Mocker, M. (2010). Information Systems Strategy: Reconceptualization,

Measurement, and Implications. MIS Quarterly, 34(2), 233-259.

Clemons, E. K., & Kauffman, R. J. (2011). Special Section: Competitive Strategy, Economics,

and Information Systems. Journal of Management Information Systems, 27(3), 7-10.

Shmueli, G., & Koppius, O. R. (2011). Predictive Analytics in Information Systems Research.

MIS Quarterly, 35(3), 553-572.