Purpose Of This Lab: Develop A Plan And Schedule To Deliver ✓ Solved

Purpose Of This Labdevelop A Plan And Schedule To Deliver An Efficien

Develop a plan, and schedule to deliver an efficient, effective, and timely systems implementation using group facilitation methods and online collaboration tools. Prepare a Gantt chart using MS Project that includes the implementation tasks, schedules them within a six-month timeframe, and aligns with prior recommendations from iLab 1 and iLab 2. Tasks may include preparation, training, system installation, data conversion, final verification, process implementation, and monitoring. Assign resources by job title, link dependent tasks, and provide brief notes justifying task placement. Ensure customer service training precedes final implementation. Save the file as "LAB03.mpp".

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Developing an effective and timely implementation plan for a systems project requires meticulous scheduling, resource allocation, and dependency management. Utilizing MS Project, a project manager can craft a comprehensive Gantt chart that visually represents tasks, durations, dependencies, and resources, facilitating smooth project execution within the designated six-month timeframe.

The first step involves reviewing previous recommendations, specifically insights garnered from iLab 1 and iLab 2. These prior evaluations help in identifying essential tasks such as preparation, training, installation, data conversion, verification, process implementation, and monitoring. Incorporating these activities ensures the plan is aligned with project goals and previous analyses.

Once the tasks are identified, scheduling begins within MS Project. Each activity is entered into the task list with estimated durations using units like days (d), weeks (w), or months (mo). For instance, system installation might be scheduled over two weeks, whereas training may span five days. While MS Project can automatically calculate start dates based on task dependencies, specifying fixed start dates may be necessary for critical tasks or specific milestones.

Establishing task dependencies is vital to reflect the logical order of activities. For example, system installation cannot commence until preparation is complete, so the 'install the system solution' task should be linked as a successor to the 'preparation' task. In MS Project, linking tasks involves selecting the dependent tasks and clicking the 'Link Tasks' button or pressing Ctrl+F2. This process creates a chain that guides the project flow and identifies critical paths.

Resource assignment involves associating specific job titles to each task, such as IT technician, trainer, or data analyst. These resources were identified in earlier phases (iLab 1), and their allocation ensures accountability and effective workload management. In MS Project, resource names are added in the Resource Names column, with multiple resources separated by commas if necessary. Proper resource allocation is crucial for optimizing project timelines and avoiding overcommitment.

A key aspect of project planning is providing justifications for scheduled timings. Using the Notes function in MS Project, each task can include brief explanations, such as why a particular start time is chosen or how dependencies influence the schedule. This documentation aids in stakeholder communication and future project reviews.

By precisely scheduling tasks, defining dependencies, properly allocating resources, and documenting rationales, project managers can develop a robust plan ready to be executed. This plan not only ensures that activities are completed within six months but also maintains efficiency, responsiveness, and adaptability throughout the implementation process.

References

  • Kerzner, H. (2017). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. Wiley.
  • PMI. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). Project Management Institute.
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  • Larson, E., & Gray, C. (2017). Project Management: The Managerial Process. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Wysocki, R. K. (2014). Effective Program Management: Structures and Processes for Engaged Leadership. Wiley.
  • Kloppenborg, T. J., Anantatmula, V., & Wells, K. (2019). Contemporary Project Management. Cengage Learning.
  • Gido, J., & Clements, J. (2017). Successful Project Management. Cengage Learning.
  • Boehm, B. W. (1981). Software Engineering Economics. IEEE Software.
  • Meredith, J. R., & Shafer, S. M. (2019). Project Management: A Strategic Design and Implementation Approach. Wiley.

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