Resource Project Systems Acquisition Plan Grading Guide

Resourceproject Systems Acquisition Plan Grading Guideresourcesbaltz

Verify the user content: create a high-level Project Systems Acquisition Plan for your project in a minimum of 1,050 words that includes the following information: A description and justification of the specific systems design and development approach (SDLC, RAD, Spiral, outsourcing, etc.) the enterprise will employ. A summary of the steps in the systems acquisition process including initiation, analysis, design, acquisition, and maintenance. A high-level overview of who will participate in each step of the systems acquisition process. Cite a minimum of 3 peer-reviewed references from the University of Phoenix Library.

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The formulation of a comprehensive Systems Acquisition Plan is vital for aligning information technology (IT) resources with the strategic objectives of a new business enterprise. This plan serves as a high-level blueprint guiding the identification, procurement, and ongoing management of IT systems tailored to meet organizational needs. In this context, selecting an appropriate systems development approach, outlining systematic acquisition steps, and defining participant roles are foundational to successful technology integration.

Systems Design and Development Approach

One of the primary considerations in developing the Systems Acquisition Plan is choosing a suitable systems design and development methodology. For a startup enterprise seeking agility and flexibility, the Rapid Application Development (RAD) approach offers significant advantages. RAD emphasizes quick development and iteration, enabling entrepreneurs to adapt swiftly to changing market demands. It relies heavily on user feedback, prototyping, and modular design, which facilitates expedited development cycles. Conversely, the traditional Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) provides a structured framework, ensuring thorough analysis and disciplined project management, which is especially pertinent for systems requiring high reliability and security.

Given the dynamic nature of startup environments and the necessity for rapid market entry, integrating elements of RAD within a modified SDLC framework can be advantageous. This hybrid approach allows for initial rapid prototyping and flexible adjustments during early development phases while maintaining a disciplined structure for subsequent implementation and maintenance. Outsourcing certain components, such as software development or infrastructure provisioning, further complements this approach by leveraging external expertise and reducing time-to-market.

Steps in the Systems Acquisition Process

The process of acquiring IT systems involves several critical, sequential steps:

  1. Initiation: This phase involves defining the business needs, establishing project objectives, and securing executive sponsorship. It sets the foundation for subsequent activities by ensuring clear alignment with strategic goals.
  2. Analysis: During analysis, detailed requirements gathering takes place. Stakeholders’ needs are identified, and feasibility studies are conducted to assess technical, operational, and economic aspects of potential solutions.
  3. Design: Based on requirements, system architecture is designed. This includes data modeling, interface design, and process workflows. Prototyping is often employed to validate designs with users.
  4. Acquisition: This step encompasses selecting vendors or internal development teams, negotiating contracts, and procuring hardware, software, and services. The selection criteria hinge upon cost, quality, vendor reputation, and alignment with project needs.
  5. Maintenance: Post-deployment, the focus shifts toward system support, ongoing updates, security patches, and user training. Continuous monitoring ensures the system sustains its performance and adapts to evolving business contexts.

Participants in the Acquisition Process

Effective systems acquisition requires the collaboration of diverse stakeholders. During initiation and analysis, senior management provides strategic direction, while business analysts and system analysts gather detailed requirements. The design phase involves system architects and UI/UX designers, ensuring technical feasibility and user-centric interfaces. Procurement specialists and legal teams participate during acquisition to evaluate vendor proposals and finalize contracts. Once the system is live, IT support staff, project managers, and end-users form the core team responsible for maintenance and continuous improvement.

In a startup environment, the roles may overlap, with entrepreneurs often playing multiple roles—from project sponsor to user representative. As the project matures, establishing clear governance and communication channels becomes imperative to ensure alignment and accountability across all participants.

In conclusion, a well-structured Systems Acquisition Plan tailored to the specific needs of a new enterprise lays the groundwork for successful IT integration. By carefully selecting a development approach that balances speed and reliability, delineating clear acquisition steps, and coordinating participation from appropriately skilled stakeholders, startups can optimize resource utilization, reduce risks, and accelerate their path toward operational readiness.

References

  • Balzazn, P., & Phillips, A. (2015). Business Driven Information Systems (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Avison, D., & Fitzgerald, G. (2006). Information Systems Development: Methodologies, Techniques, and Tools. McGraw-Hill.
  • Boehm, B. W. (1988). A spiral model of software development and enhancement. Computer, 21(5), 61-72.
  • Leffingwell, D., & Widrig, D. (2003). The Agile Software Development Series. Addison-Wesley.
  • Project Management Institute. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.). PMI.
  • Rainer, R., & Turban, E. (2010). Information Technology for Management: Transforming Business in the Digital Economy. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Sommerville, I. (2010). Software Engineering. Addison-Wesley.
  • Schwalbe, K. (2015). Information Technology Project Management. Cengage Learning.
  • Valacich, J., & Schneider, C. (2014). Information Systems Today: Managing in the Digital World. Pearson.
  • Highsmith, J. (2002). Agile Software Development Ecosystems. Addison-Wesley.

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