Project Deliverable 1: Project Plan Inception 434699

Project Deliverable 1: Project Plan Inception This assignment consists of two (2) sections: a project introduction and a project plan

This assignment consists of two (2) sections: a project introduction and a project plan. You must submit both sections as separate files, each labeled accordingly. Assume all necessary information to complete the assignment. You are the CIO of an internet-based company with over $35 million in annual revenue. The company is merging with a multinational firm of equal size, and you are tasked with developing a strategic IT project plan to support the integration of systems, including databases and infrastructure, within sixty (60) days. The company will expand from one (1) to three (3) floors over six months. The merger brings two companies under one roof, necessitating a redesigned infrastructure to handle increased capacity. Currently, the company employs operational systems and relational databases, with plans to expand into data warehousing. All hardware and software must be redesigned, with options for hosted, on-site, or hybrid solutions. Your solution should integrate multiple technologies from different providers, following industry best practices. The CEO is particularly interested in cloud technologies and virtualization, with concerns about security which must be addressed with proper protocols. Currently, the company has twenty-five (25) employees, expected to increase to sixty-five (65) after the merger.

Section 1: Project Introduction

Develop a 4-6 page detailed introduction that describes the current state of the organization before the project. This should include the following components:

  • An overview of the company's background and history.
  • The key business activities and services offered by the company.
  • Speculation on potential outsourcing and offshoring opportunities relevant to the company's expansion and system integration plans.
  • A description of existing information systems supporting business operations, focusing on:
  • Operational systems and their functions.
  • Current relational databases.
  • Plans or considerations for data warehousing.
  • The use of cloud technologies and virtualization solutions.
  • The network infrastructure, including scalability, connectivity, and security protocols.

This section must incorporate insights from at least two credible sources beyond Wikipedia or similar sites, following APA formatting for citations and references. Include a cover page with the assignment title, student name, professor's name, course title, and submission date. The main content should be double-spaced, in Times New Roman font size 12, with one-inch margins.

Section 2: Project Plan

Create a comprehensive project plan using Microsoft Project, including the following features:

  • A summary and detailed task list, including all project tasks, subtasks, assigned resources, and timelines.
  • An outline of the project phases aligned with the SDLC: planning, analysis, design, and implementation.
  • A schedule that details the sequence and dependencies of tasks, resource allocations, and milestones.

The plan should reflect best practices in project management, demonstrating how the tasks relate to the overall project objectives. This will involve identifying critical paths, resource management, and ensuring realistic timelines. The project plan should be structured to facilitate clear understanding and efficient execution of the merger's IT integration process.

By completing both sections, you will illustrate your understanding of the strategic and technical considerations involved in IT system integration during a major corporate merger, highlighting your ability to plan comprehensive IT projects aligned with organizational goals and industry standards.

References

  • Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2020). Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm (16th ed.). Pearson.
  • Schwalbe, K. (2018). Information Technology Project Management (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
  • Investopedia. (2023). Cloud Computing. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cloudcomputing.asp
  • Gartner. (2022). The Top Strategic Technology Trends. https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases
  • Marston, S., Li, S., Bandyopadhyay, S., Zhang, J., & Ghalsasi, A. (2011). Cloud computing — The business perspective. Decision Support Systems, 51(1), 176–189.
  • Leavitt, N. (2009). Is Cloud Computing Really a Game Changer? Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2009/12/is-cloud-computing-really-a-game-changer
  • Rittinghouse, J. W., & Ransone, D. (2016). Cloud Computing: Implementation, Management, and Security. CRC Press.
  • Project Management Institute. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.). PMI.
  • O'Neill, M. (2020). Securing Cloud Infrastructure. Cybersecurity Journal, 2(3), 45–53.
  • Zhou, Q., & Zhang, L. (2021). Strategies for IT Infrastructure Modernization. Journal of Systems and Software, 171, 110860.

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