Portion of group project

IT 500: Final Project Guidelines and Grading Guide

Overview and Outcomes

The final project for this course is the creation of an IT Systems Development Project. This is a group project. You and your group will work on all the aspects to implementing a new or updated information system into a business from a project management perspective. Your group can choose a real-life implementation of one of your companies or use a scenario provided of a company thinking of implementing a new system.

Your group will have to consider all aspects of an IT systems development project for your company, including an overview, an implementation plan for the IT system, a timeline and resources, and a risk management plan for your organization. Your role is to oversee this new system implementation from a management perspective while keeping in mind your learned knowledge of IT in this course.

This project is divided into several milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. The final project submission consists of a Group Paper due in Module Ten and a Group Presentation due in Module Eleven.

This project will demonstrate your knowledge of the steps needed to implement a new information system into a business. To successfully complete this project, you will be expected to apply what you have learned in this course and should include several of the following course outcomes and learning objectives:

· Propose methods for incorporating appropriate information technologies within a contemporary organization based on their potential to create a competitive advantage in the global marketplace

· Develop an information systems project that meets the needs of an organization using appropriate management methodologies, system development processes, and technological tools

· Discuss systems development processes from a management perspective

· Collaborate with peers to develop an information systems project

· Identify the timeline and resources to allocate in an information systems development project

· Analyze the risk factors and organizational change with implementing a systems development project

· Identify the processes that add value to an organization with respect to information systems

· Explain how information systems are used to support the major business functions

Requirements

Your final project must consist of the following elements:

I. Overview

a) Provide an overview of your company and the systems development project. Describe the industry you are working with.

b) Conduct a needs analysis and a systems audit.

· Why do you need a new system?

· How does the current system work? Do you currently use any software or hardware?

· What are the goals you are trying to achieve with the new system (e.g., increase efficiency, improve organization, reduce cost, reduce error)?

c) Comment on the scope of the project. How do you think it will achieve the goals set forth?

II. Implementation Plan

a) Systems Analysis (Note that depending on your project, not all of the below questions will apply)

· What hardware and software is needed?

· How many users will this affect?

· Is this a global solution?

· What kinds of tools will be used for development?

· Can an existing platform (network, servers, computers, etc.) be reused?

· Is a database needed? If so, which one will you consider? Why?

· Is this a new software application or will it be replacing an existing one?

· Will you purchase an off-the-shelf product? Will it be beneficial to build a specific system?

III. IT Systems Design and Development (Note that depending on your project, not all of the below questions will apply)

· If you are going to purchase an off-the-shelf product, describe how it will be implemented into your current system.

· If you are going to build a system, will it need programming?

· How will your IT system connect to your current system? Will you need to obtain additional hardware?

· What reporting is needed?

· Is additional training needed internally?

· Is there ample staff, or will consultants be needed?

b) Testing

· Will a standard testing mechanism be used, such as use cases?

· At what point will the users be involved in the testing?

· Who will sign off on the testing?

· Will there be a development and production environment?

c) Training

· Who needs to be trained?

· When will the training take place? Where?

· Will special applications be needed for training (customized training videos, web videoconferencing, consultant training)?

d) Implementation

· What is the implementation schedule?

· Will you use a sample test or a prototype?

· What strategy will be used for implementation (a full roll-out, a phased approach)?

· Who needs to sign off before the system goes live?

e) Maintenance

· Who is responsible for ongoing maintenance?

IV. Project Plan

a) Timeline for the Implementation Plan

· What is the timeline for the project?

· What are your major milestones and deliverables?

· Use a visual timeline or a Gantt chart if appropriate (not required).

b) Resources

· What resources will you need (both products and services)?

· Will you use an internal team?

· Will you need a systems analyst, systems designer, programming, or an entire consulting team?

· Will you outsource implementation and training (hire a consultant)?

V. Organizational Change

a) Risk Management

· How will this affect your company (loss of staff, convincing stakeholders of the impact)

· What are some of the areas of risk for your project?

· What is your contingency plan?

Deliverable Milestones

Milestone	Deliverables	Module Due	Grading
1	Topic Due	Three	Not graded; for instructor approval only
2	Update Due One-page summary, including company overview, needs analysis, and systems analysis	Five	20 points for submission; feedback incorporated as part of the Group Paper Rubric
3	First Draft of the Paper Must include at least Parts I, II, and III from the requirements above	Eight	50 points for submission; feedback incorporated as part of the Group Paper Rubric
4	Final Group Paper 10–12-page report, not including cover page and references; must include all requirements above	Ten	Graded separately using the Group Paper Rubric . This final paper is worth 200 points.
5	Group Presentation 8–10-slide presentation, summarizing the main points	Eleven	Graded separately using the Group Presentation Rubric . This final presentation is worth 100 points.

Group Paper Rubric

Requirements of submission: This paper must follow these formatting guidelines: double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, APA citations. Paper should be 10–12 pages, not including cover page and resources.

Instructor Feedback : Students can find their feedback in the grade book as an attachment.

Critical Elements	Distinguished	Proficient	Emerging	Not Evident	Value
Milestone Submission and Incorporation of Feedback	Meets Emerging requirements and addresses all instructor feedback through incorporation or clarifying questions/dialogue with instructor (9-10)	Meets Emerging requirements and incorporates some of the instructor’s feedback throughout the progression of the project (8)	Student completes and submits all milestones by the due date (7)	Student submits incomplete milestones or does not submit by the due date (0-6)	10
Comprehensive Final Product	Addresses all parts of the four requirements of the final product directly (that are relevant for the project topic) and includes additional elements that logically enrich and extend (27-30)	Addresses all parts of the four requirements (that are relevant for the project topic) of the final product directly (24-26)	Addresses all parts of the four requirements (that are relevant for the project topic) of the final product either directly or indirectly (21-23)	Does not address all of the requirements (that are relevant for the project topic) of the project (0-20)	30
Collaboration (partly based on Group Evaluation Form data)	Meets the requirements of Proficient, and the group effectively communicates to establish order, processes, and/or leadership (23-25)	Group members specialize the tasks/elements and provide feedback on each other’s work to maintain collaboration and ensure equitable contributions (20-22)	Group members make equitable contributions to the project (18-19)	Group members do not make equitable contributions to the project (0-17)	25
Use of IT Concepts	Applies at least four IT-specific concepts in authentic ways (14-15)	Illustrates at least three IT-specific concepts with accurate details (12-13)	Describes at least two IT-specific concepts with accurate details (11)	Avoids IT-specific concepts and only focuses on project management (0-10)	15
Integrative Learning	Makes simple connections among ideas and experiences to effectively synthesize and transfer learning to new, complex situations (9-10)	Makes simple connections among ideas and experiences to synthesize and transfer learning to new, complex situations (8)	Makes simple connections among ideas and experiences to synthesize learning (7)	Is not able to make simple connections among ideas and experiences to synthesize learning (0-6)	10
Mechanics	No errors related to organization, grammar, citations, and/or style (9-10)	Errors of organization, grammar, citations, and/or style are marginal and rarely interrupt the flow (8)	Errors of organization, grammar, citations, and/or style are limited enough that the project is still able to be understood (7)	Errors of organization, grammar, citations, and/or style make elements to understand (0-6)	10
Earned Total Comments:	100%

Group Presentation Rubric

Requirements of submission: This group presentation requires 8–10 slides and should summarize the paper.

Critical Elements	Distinguished	Proficient	Emerging	Not Evident	Value
Content: Inquiry and Analysis	Includes almost all of the main elements and requirements; provides in-depth analysis that demonstrates complete understanding of multiple concepts (32-35)	Includes most of the main elements and requirements; provides in-depth analysis that demonstrates complete understanding of some concepts (28-31)	Includes some of the main elements and requirements; provides in-depth analysis that demonstrates complete understanding of minimal concepts (25-27)	Does not include any of the main elements and requirements; does not provide in-depth analysis (0-24)	35
Organization	Slides are organized in a logical way that complements the central theme; transitions are well-paced to create a natural and engaging flow (18-20)	Slides are organized in a logical way and transitions are paced so that the material is easily accessible (16-17)	Slides are organized mostly in a logical way and transitions are paced so that the material can be understood with focus and effort (14-15)	Slides are organized in a way that is illogical OR transitions are paced so that the material cannot be understood (0-13)	20
Critical Thinking	Draws insightful conclusions that are thoroughly defended with evidence and examples (18-20)	Draws informed conclusions that are justified with evidence (16-17)	Draws logical conclusions, but does not defend with evidence (14-15)	Does not draw logical conclusions (0-13)	20
Visual Appeal	There is a consistent visual theme that helps enhance understanding of the ideas; includes multiple types of media (14-15)	Original images are created using proper size and resolution that enhance the content; includes more than one type of media (12-13)	Visually depict topic and assist audience; images are proper size and resolution (11)	Graphics are unrelated to content and cross over each other. Distracting, busy, and detract from presentation (0-10)	15
Teamwork	Demonstrates effective interactions with team members and makes numerous quality contributions to team discussions and tasks (9-10)	Demonstrates moderately effective interactions with team members and makes some quality contributions to team discussions and tasks (8)	Demonstrates minimal interactions with team members and makes minimal quality contributions to team discussions and tasks (7)	Does not demonstrate effective interactions with team members and does not make quality contributions to team discussions and tasks (0-6)	10
Earned Total Comments:	100%

Principles of an Effective Presentation : (referenced in the rubrics under Critical Element “Addressing the Context”)

· You may utilize a product such as Microsoft’s PowerPoint, Adobe Captivate , Prezi or Google Presentation to create your presentations.

· There are various template designs that you can find on the web for your presentation. However, first consider your presentation from the perspective of your audience prior to selecting a specific style. Distracting backgrounds, large blocks of text, all uppercase fonts, elaborate font styles, grammatical errors and misspellings are distracting. Be consistent with the style of text, bullets, and sub-points in order to support a powerful presentation that allows your content to be the focus.

· Each slide should include your key point(s). Do not place large blocks of text on the visual. Your presentation is not a means of presenting a short paper. In an actual presentation you would not “read” from your slides but rather use them as prompts.

· Any notes or narration you would use in delivering this presentation to a group should be listed in the “notes” section of the slide.

· References should be listed at the bottom of the slide in slightly smaller text.

· Use clip art, AutoShapes, pictures, charts, tables, and diagrams to enhance but not overwhelm your content.

· Be mindful of the intended audience and seek to assess the presentation’s effectiveness by gauging audience comprehension (when possible)

Below are some links that offer helpful tips and examples for developing your presentations:

Making PowerPoint Slides

Beyond Bullet Points: The Better Way to Use PowerPoint

Really Bad PowerPoint and How to Avoid it