Project Management Final Project Approval - Future Link IT

Project Management Final Project Approval 4 Future Link IT is an internet service provider providing internet services, telephone services, and other IT solutions to its customers. The company is the 56th fixed wireless provider in the United States, offering services in 53 zip codes nationwide. The company has been credited with offering one of the best wireless internet services in the areas of provision. The technical department offers various solutions to customers including ERP support, disaster prevention and cyber security. The company has excellent customer support with a technical team that can help clients with their issues. The company is more interested in serving the client and offering solutions that will benefit the client and their business. Most companies look into profit margins rather than providing solutions to the client. There are advancements in the technology industry that are driving small companies out of business unless they can change with the tide. Cloud computing services are one of the current trends in the technology industry that is beneficial to both the client and the company offering it. It is about storing data over the internet. The project I am working on is the introduction of cloud computing services as part of the solutions being offered by Future Link IT. This is a move towards the future of the company. As it will also show, the company is advancing towards the future of information technology and communication. There are three risks that the project team may encounter during the project, and they are budget and resources, integration, and technology risk. The project being for a new service, there may be chances of overrunning the budget. This may also affect the resources required to complete the project. To minimize this risk, the project team will look into the same project in other organizations to come up with workable estimates for the budget. Integrating the new technology with the existing technology may offer a significant hurdle for the team. This will require experts in cloud computing to be part of the project team to make functional designs. Technology risk involves any service outage that may interrupt the project. The management will ensure that backups are provided in the case of an outage. The references I plan to use during my project are relevant to the project as they are about cloud computing and the organization. This will provide an insight into the organization and how various systems work in the organization. It will also offer the benefits of cloud computing, how it is integrated into an organization, and how it is changing the technology industry. Phase I: Initiate - Project Charter Review the assignment requirements for the project/paper (Located under Course Home). You must address each of the areas in Phase I and upload your completed paper in Canvas. Please remember, a project charter is only a high-level overview and summary of the project. Area Possible Points Points Given Project Title and Description • Explain what the project is and how it will be accomplished. • Explain the intended outcome of this project. • What is the background/history of how the project got to this point? 3 Project Purpose • State the purpose of the project. • Explain why this project is important and what need it is fulfilling. • Identify any mandates, policies, or laws that are driving this project. 2 Business Case/Requirement • How is the project going to benefit the organization? • Discuss what other alternatives were considered. • Identify the high-level business requirements that the project is going to fulfill. Do not get detailed on requirements – we will cover this in more detail in a later assignment. 2 Constraints • Identify those situations or events that must be considered and accounted, for which the project has no control over. An example may be a deadline or completion date, hardware/software, or funds. 2 Risks • Identify and explain at least 3 high-level risks. 4 Project Deliverables • What is going to be delivered at the completion of the project? • This is a high-level overview of the deliverable, not specific details. 2 Project Milestones • Identify at least 8 project milestones. Include a date, name, and milestone description. 4 Project Manager • Identify the project manager. Identify the project manager’s skills. • What would you do to mitigate a lack of experience or training? 2 Project Employees/Roles/Responsibilities • Identify the project employees. They may be internal or external. • Include a description of their roles and responsibilities. 2 Project Sponsor • Identify the project sponsor(s). • Explain what role they will play in the planning and implementation of the project. 2 Subtotal 25 Spelling, Grammar, and APA errors (-2 points for each error) Total 25

Paper For Above instruction

The project under consideration involves the integration of cloud computing services into Future Link IT’s existing offerings. As an internet service provider recognized for delivering high-quality wireless internet, the company aims to expand its solutions portfolio to include cloud-based services. This initiative is driven by the rapid technological advances and the growing demand for flexible, scalable, and efficient data storage solutions among clients. The project will be accomplished through a structured phased approach that incorporates stakeholder engagement, technical planning, resource allocation, and rigorous testing. The intended outcome is to enable the organization to provide reliable cloud services, enhance operational efficiencies, and support client needs in a dynamic digital landscape. Historically, Future Link IT has focused primarily on connectivity and cybersecurity solutions; however, the shift towards cloud computing signifies a strategic response to industry trends and competitive pressures, positioning the company for future growth and relevancy.

The primary purpose of this project is to introduce cloud computing services that can improve the company's service offerings, increase revenue streams, and enhance customer satisfaction. The project addresses the growing necessity for cloud solutions driven by client demand for flexible data management options and industry shifts toward cloud adoption. This initiative aligns with national mandates promoting digital transformation and data security policies that emphasize reliable and compliant cloud service implementation. Consequently, this project reflects the organization’s commitment to staying competitive in a rapidly evolving technological environment.

From an organizational standpoint, the benefits of implementing cloud computing are significant. They include cost savings through reduced physical infrastructure needs, scalability to accommodate increasing data volumes, and improved disaster recovery capabilities. The project considered alternatives such as expanding existing data centers or partnering with third-party cloud providers without fully internalizing the infrastructure. However, the decision to develop a proprietary cloud service aligns with the strategic goals of maintaining control over security, customization, and customer experience, fulfilling high-level business requirements such as data privacy, service reliability, and scalability.

Several constraints may impact the project. These include the fixed project deadline, limited initial capital investment, and the availability of skilled personnel experienced in cloud technologies. External factors like vendor availability and regulatory policies may also exert influence. These limitations require the project team to prioritize critical tasks and adopt flexible planning to adhere to timelines and budget. The project team will also ensure compliance with relevant laws and policies to mitigate legal and operational risks.

High-level risks identified for the project include budget overruns, integration challenges, and potential technology outages. Budget overruns could occur due to unforeseen technological complexities or scope creep. Integration challenges might arise from compatibility issues between new cloud solutions and existing systems, requiring expert consultation and thorough testing. Technology outages pose a risk to project continuity, which will be managed through robust backup plans and redundancy measures. These risks necessitate proactive risk management strategies, including detailed contingency planning and stakeholder communication.

The major deliverables at project completion include a fully functional cloud infrastructure, documented procedures for deployment and maintenance, staff training programs, and a comprehensive security and compliance framework. These high-level outputs will enable Future Link IT to market and support cloud services effectively, ensuring reliability and customer confidence in the new offerings.

Project milestones serve as critical checkpoints to track progress and ensure timely delivery. Key milestones include project initiation (Month 1, project charter approval), requirements gathering (Month 2), vendor selection (Month 3), initial system design (Month 4), development and configuration (Month 5-6), pilot testing (Month 7), staff training (Month 8), and full deployment (Month 9). Each milestone includes specific objectives aligned with project phases, with deadlines intended to maintain schedule adherence.

The project will be managed by a designated project manager with a proven track record in IT project implementation, cloud solutions, and team leadership. The manager’s skills encompass technical expertise, stakeholder communication, risk management, and resource coordination. To mitigate inexperience, the project manager will pursue targeted training, attend professional development workshops, and collaborate with experienced cloud consultants to ensure project success.

Internal and external project employees include system analysts, cloud engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and support staff. Each role is defined with responsibilities such as designing cloud architecture, ensuring security protocols, conducting testing, and providing customer support post-implementation. Clear role delineation will promote accountability and efficiency during project execution.

The project sponsors include senior executives such as the CIO and CTO, who support the project financially and strategically. They will provide oversight, approve major milestones, and facilitate resource allocation. Their active engagement will help align project goals with organizational objectives and ensure adequate executive support throughout the project lifecycle.

References

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