project management
Larry Kelly
assignment_background.docxRunning head: ABC’s Computer Upgrades 1
ABC’s Computer Upgrades 8
ABC Inc. is a realty firm that assists future homeowners to locate, modify, and finally purchase a home that satisfies their needs, and choices. ABC Inc. has been in business since 1980. Since they started, they have only replaced their computers once. All of their current computers have Windows 98. John Smith, the manager for ABC Inc. has contacted me to replace these ancient computer systems with more latest ones that can process the application a bit faster and perform better overall. Their current systems are extremely slow. They also have compatibility issues with their new CRM Software.
Currently ABC has eight realtors, two finance managers, and one manager who uses computers on a daily basis. Overall John requires eleven new computers. Here is the work that needs to be done:
1. Gather requirements
a. This includes contacting John and additional staff members to find out what exactly they are looking for in their new systems.
2. Conduct research
a. After gathering the project requirements, an extensive research needs to take place to find out brand and type of new computers. We also need to determine a budget for these upgrades.
3. Meeting ABC’s manager
a. After performing an extensive research, we would need to discuss them with John and make sure he is on the same page.
b. We would also need to discuss the project completion timeline.
4. Contacting Retailers
a. Finding a retailer who provides the systems we need at a competitive price is very important. This also helps the project manager to build a good relation with the vendor.
5. Backup
a. Now that we have the systems, we would need to back up all the current systems individually.
6. Implementation
a. Next step in this process is removing old systems, and installing new ones, and transferring backed up data at the arranged time.
7. Follow up
a. After installing new systems it is vital to follow up with the client to ensure proper functionality of the systems. This helps the project manager build a good relation with the client. If any changes need to me made, this would be the time to do it. Also, it would be a great time to ask for referrals.
Here is a list of required hardware/software/tools for the entire project:
1. Four employees for installing systems relative quicker.
2. A computer with Internet availability to conduct research.
3. A phone to make phone calls.
4. Tools to install hardware (systems)
Among the tasks listed above, the project manager would oversee most of the work. However, he would conduct the meetings, and he would also be available while installing the systems to make sure they work efficiently.
Introduction
ABC Inc. is a realty firm that assists future homeowners to locate, modify, and finally purchase a home that satisfies their needs, and choices. John Smith, the owner and manager of the company, contacted me to upgrade all eleven computers within his organization. John decided to do this because all the computers are running on Windows 98. Windows 98 is a very outdated operating system (OS). Its performance is very sluggish. In addition, it also has compatibility issues with the new CRM software that the company will implement soon.
John Smith, the owner, and the GM, is the sponsor for this project. I, Ruchitkumar Patel, am the only project manager. I have employed four new employees trained and skilled for this particular project: Larry, Bob, Moe, and Joe.
Furthermore, there are several deliverables for this project. Here is a list of them:
1. 11 new computers that meet the specific requirements
2. 5 Hardware tool kits for the installation of systems
3. A computer to conduct research
4. MS Word and Excel to keep track of reports and expenses respectively
5. 5 Cell phones
6. User manuals and Trouble shooting manuals for all the computers
7. 2 – 1TB (Tera Byte) Solid State Drives (SDD) for backing up and restoring data
8. Excellent customer service
In order to finish the project efficiently, using the following resources to find solutions for possible problems:
1. Techopedia.com: This website is a free source which provides latest, and most accurate information about problems related to this project.
2. Thenewboston.org: This as well, is a free source that has video based tutorials on installation of computer systems, purchasing necessary items, troubleshooting etc.
3. If nothing works, Google will always have answers.
Possible acronyms that may be used during this project are as followed with its respective name:
1. PC: Personal Computer
2. SDD: Solid State Drive
3. HDD: Hard drive
4. AGP: Accelerated Graphics Port
5. BIOS: Basic Input-Output Services
6. RAM: Random Access Memory
7. DDR2/3: Double Data Rate 2/3
8. PCIe: Peripheral Component Interconnect Express port
9. CPU: Central Processing Unit
10. OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer
Any other acronyms that may be used which are not listed above will be defined at the time of use.
Project Organization
An organization chart is the best way to represent responsibilities for a particular project. For ABC’s Computer Upgrades, I have developed an organizational chart that includes major duties required to accomplish this project successfully. Followed by the chart, is the description of the responsibilities in detail.
As displayed above, I, the project manager, will be over looking every single process that takes place. I have divided the work into four categories and have assigned random names to all of the four teams.
1. Fire Team
a. Primarily, Joe, will be in charge of this team. He is authorized to hire one additional employee if needed. Joe will be responsible for the processes listed under his team.
b. Requirement Gathering – The first step to start the project will be conducted by Joe. He will be required to contact the client and arrange a meeting with me, and himself to discuss the exact requirements.
c. Conducting Research – After we have the concrete requirements, Joe will perform an extensive search to identify vendors who may provide the computer systems we are looking for.
d. Business Analysis – Joe will also be responsible to document his team’s processes, and all the other necessary incidents, processes this project will go through.
2. Water Team
a. Moe will be in charge of Water team. He is not authorized to hire a new employee. Instead, all the team leads are required to assist Moe with necessary help.
b. Communication: Moe is responsible for maintaining communication with all the team leads, and me at all times. The main purpose of his job is to ensure all the parties are updated with the latest progress report.
c. Purchasing: Moe will have to interact with Joe after Joe finishes his processes. After the interaction, Moe will purchase necessary computers, and all other equipment required to finish this project.
3. Earth Team
a. Larry is in charge of the Earth Team. He is authorized to hire one part time personnel who will assist in implementation phase. He is also authorized to request work from all other employees.
b. After the Water team has placed the order for necessary equipment and the computers, Larry will have to make sure everything we receive is exactly how we ordered. If there are any changes, he will be contacting the respective vendors to replace/fix the product.
c. Implementation – Once Larry has everything in place; he will contact Fire team to implement a meeting with client to create a schedule for starting the implementation of the computers at the client’s location. This includes backing up, installing the computers and necessary softwares, copying the back up, and testing.
4. Air Team
a. Bob, customer service specialist, is responsible for this team. He is not authorized to hire any additional employees, however, he is welcome to use help from existing employees if necessary.
b. His sole purpose is to ensure the delivery of highest quality of service for the customer.
