Project Deliverable 1: Project Plan Inception 283786

project Deliverable 1: Project Plan Inception

In this deliverable, you will create a project introduction that includes background information of the company, the type of business in which the company is involved, and a description of the integrative information systems that the company should have to support the business. You will also be asked to create a Gantt chart or project plan to record tasks, subtasks, resources and identify the schedule of the project. Additionally, the plan will outline the planning, analysis, design, and implementation phases of your project.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction and Background of the Company

This project centers around a hypothetical or real company that operates within a specific industry sector. For illustration, consider a mid-sized retail chain specializing in consumer electronics. The company was founded over a decade ago and has experienced steady growth due to customer demand for innovative and premium electronic products. Its main operations include product procurement, inventory management, sales, customer service, and after-sales support. As digital transformation accelerates across industries, integrating advanced information systems becomes vital for maintaining competitive advantage, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Business Type and Needs

The company operates in the retail sector, primarily focusing on selling a wide range of electronic gadgets, appliances, and accessories through both physical stores and an online platform. The nature of its business demands effective management of supply chain logistics, real-time inventory tracking, customer relationship management (CRM), sales processing, and after-sales service. As consumer expectations heighten and market competition intensifies, the business must utilize comprehensive information systems to streamline its operations, improve customer engagement, and facilitate data-driven decision-making.

Integrative Information Systems Requirements

To support its multifaceted operations, the company requires various integrated information systems. These include a point-of-sale (POS) system that links in-store transactions to inventory management; an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to coordinate procurement, accounting, and human resources; a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to enhance marketing and customer retention strategies; and a supply chain management system for better logistics coordination. The integration of these systems ensures seamless data flow across departments, enhances operational efficiency, reduces errors, and improves customer experience. Cloud-based solutions could provide scalability and remote accessibility, which are crucial for modern retail operations.

Project Plan and Phases

The project plan will be structured into four main phases: planning, analysis, design, and implementation.

  • Planning Phase: This initial stage involves defining project scope, objectives, stakeholders, and resources. It includes developing the work breakdown structure (WBS), establishing timelines, and preparing a budget.
  • Analysis Phase: During this phase, detailed requirement gathering takes place. Stakeholders’ needs are identified, current system deficiencies are analyzed, and system specifications are documented.
  • Design Phase: This phase focuses on creating technical and system design specifications. It involves selecting technology platforms, designing system architecture, and planning interface integrations.
  • Implementation Phase: The final phase involves system development, testing, deployment, and user training. Post-deployment support ensures that the systems function as intended and address any issues that arise.

Gantt Chart / Project Schedule

A Gantt chart will be created using MS Project or OpenProject to visually depict the project timeline. Tasks such as requirements gathering, system selection, development, testing, deployment, and training will be scheduled with assigned resources and deadlines. Milestones will mark key deliverables, and dependencies between tasks will be mapped to ensure smooth workflow progression. Regular progress reviews will be scheduled to monitor project milestones and make necessary adjustments.

References

  • Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2020). Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm. Pearson.
  • O'Brien, J. A., & Marakas, G. M. (2019). Introduction to Information Systems. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • McFedries, P. (2019). The Visual Dictionary of Business and Management. DK Publishing.
  • Turban, E., Volonino, L., & Wood, G. R. (2018). Information Technology for Management: Digital Strategies for Insight, Action, and Sustainable Performance. Wiley.
  • Stair, R., & Reynolds, G. (2020). Principles of Information Systems. Cengage Learning.
  • Scott, J. M. (2017). Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): The Dynamics of Supply Chain Management. Springer.
  • Heizer, J., Render, B., & Munson, C. (2017). Operations Management. Pearson.
  • Chaffey, D., & White, G. (2019). Digital Marketing: Strategy, Implementation and Practice. Pearson.
  • Shari, M., & Bandar, M. (2020). Supply Chain Management and Business Performance. International Journal of Supply Chain Management, 9(2), 230-239.
  • Hughes, J., & Singh, P. (2019). Cloud Computing and Digital Transformation in Retail. Journal of Business Analytics, 3(4), 275-290.

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