9.1 Project Management
Glossary
Term Definition
Project Management Project management is a methodical, planned and ongoing
process that guides all the development tasks and resources
throughout a project’s development.
Project Triangle A tool used to describe project management, where time,
money and scope form the three sides and aims to maintain
a balance to develop a system of the highest quality.
Team Two or more people with complementary skills, behaviours
and personalities who are committed to achieving a
common goal.
Systems Analyst A person who analyses systems, determines requirements
and designs new information systems.
Understanding the It is the first stage of the SDLC and is used to determine the
Problem purpose and requirements of a new system.
Planning The second stage of the SDLC and aims to decide which
possible solution, if any, should be developed and then
decide how it should be developed and managed.
Designing The third stage of the SDLC, where the actual solution is
designed and built, including describing the information
processes and specifying the system resources required to
perform these processes.
Implementing The fourth stage of the SDLC, where the new system is
installed and commences operation. It involves choosing a
conversion method to cease old system and replace with
the new system.
Testing, Evaluating and The fifth and final stage of the SDLC, which continues
Maintaining throughout the life of the system to ensure the system
maintains performance and continues to meet the system’s
requirements.
Traditional or Structured Requires each stage to be completed before the next
Approach commences.
,Outsourcing Where external specialists are contracted to develop part of
the system
Prototyping When an existing prototype is refined over time and evolves
into the final system
Customisation Where existing information technology is modified to meet
different requirements
Participant development When people who are or will be part of the system develop
the system
Agile Methods Used to refine a system whilst it is operational
Requirements Features, properties or behaviours a system must have to
achieve its purpose. Each requirement must be verifiable.
Requirements Prototype A working model of an information system, built in order to
understand the requirements of the system.
Requirements Report A formal report expressing the system’s requirements. It
specifies the inputs and outputs together with their
relationships to each other, but makes no attempt to solve
the problem.
Feasible Capable of being achieved using the available resources and
meeting the identified requirements.
Feasibility Study An analysis of whether the proposed solution is capable of
being achieved using the available resources and meeting
the identified requirements.
Feasibility Report A report that is created from analysis on the feasibility of
developing the new system.
Context Diagrams A systems modelling technique describing the entire system
as a single process, identifying the data entering and leaving
the system together with its source and sink (destination).
Data Dictionaries A table identifying and describing the nature of each data
item. Data dictionaries are used in many areas of system
design, including the design of databases.
Data Flow Diagrams A diagram that shows the logical flow of data through a
(DFDs) system or subsystem.
Data Flow A labelled arrow on context and data flow diagrams
, describing the nature and direction of data movement.
Data Store Where data is maintained prior to or after it has been
processed. Data stores are represented as open rectangles
on data flow diagrams.
External Entity A source or sink for data entering or leaving the system.
External entities are not part of the system.
Decision Trees A tool for documenting the logic upon which decisions are
made. They represent the rules, conditions and actions as a
diagram.
Decision Tables A tool for documenting the logic upon which decisions are
made. They represent the rules, conditions and actions as a
two-dimensional table.
Storyboards An annotated sequence of drawings representing the
screen designs and possible sequence of navigation in a
proposed application, animation or motion picture.
User Interface Part of a software application that displays information for
the user. The user interface provides the means by which
users interact with software.
Implementation Plan A project plan that identifies the tasks, people, processes,
timing and also cost of the system’s implementation.
Direct Conversion A method that involves the old system being completely
dropped and the new system being completely
implemented at a single point in time.
Parallel Conversion A method that involves operating both the old and new
systems together for a period of time.
Phased Conversion A method that involves a gradual introduction of the new
system whilst the old system is progressively discarded.
Pilot Conversion A method that involves the new system installed for a small
part of the old system, and then the system is installed and
used by the whole system.
Acceptance tests Formal tests conducted to verify whether or not a system
meets it requirements. Acceptance testing enables the
client to determine whether or not to accept the new
system.
,Volume Data Test data designed to ensure the system performs within its
requirements when processes are subjected to large
volumes of data.
Simulated Data Test data designed to test the performance of systems
under simulated operational conditions.
Live Data Real data that is processed by the operational system. Live
testing using live data takes place once the system has been
installed to ensure it is operating as expected.
Operational Manual A manual that describes the procedures participants follow
as they use the new system.
Procedure The series of steps required to complete a process
successfully.
Evaluation The process of examining a system to determine the extent
to which it is meeting its requirement.
Ergonomics The study of the relationship between human workers and
their work environment. This includes physical, emotional
and psychological aspects of work.
, Techniques for Managing a Project
- Establishes a balance between money, time and scope.
- Project manager needs excellent communication and planning skills, so there are different
styles and strategies
Communication Skills
Active Listening
- A strategy involving various feedback techniques that aims to improve the understanding of the
intended message from the speaker. Such techniques include restating, reflecting and summarising
the speaker’s major ideas and feelings.
- Aims at better receiving and understanding speaker's intended message and speaker knowing
listener has understood. More than hearing, requires attention and involvement, no 'fake listening'.
Techniques include mirroring, paraphrasing, summarising, clarifying questions and motivational
responses.
Conflict Resolution
- Conflicts can arise from allocating limited resources to development tasks, different goals,
scheduling of tasks, personal differences between people and internal conflict. Resolving requires
decision accepted by both parties, strategies including attack problem not person, brainstorming,
mediation involving third party and group problem solving.
Negotiation Skills
- Parties progressively alter their positions until agreement is reached
- Conflict resolution techniques are useful, but also: knowing in advance all you can about the
person, product, service, organisation; considering a range of possible arrangements in advance;
lower expectations by starting at a point that exceeds expected outcome; be confident and
assertive; establish trust before commencing
Interview Techniques
- Used to identify problems with existing systems, obtain feedback during development and recruit
and assess staff performance
- Planning and prep is key, one common technique is to pair questions: first asks specifics and is
simple (who what where which when) like what was your last project, second is more open ended
(how why) like how did you assist in achieving the project’s goals
Team Building
- Team: two or more people with complementary skills, behaviours and personalities who are
committed to achieving a common goal
- Successful teams achieve more: “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts”
- Advantages of groups that function as a team:
o More productive: they complement each other rather than causing conflict, meaning more
is achieved in less time
o Resulting in higher quality systems: exceeds requirements, fewer bugs, more tolerant of
faults, easier to maintain
Glossary
Term Definition
Project Management Project management is a methodical, planned and ongoing
process that guides all the development tasks and resources
throughout a project’s development.
Project Triangle A tool used to describe project management, where time,
money and scope form the three sides and aims to maintain
a balance to develop a system of the highest quality.
Team Two or more people with complementary skills, behaviours
and personalities who are committed to achieving a
common goal.
Systems Analyst A person who analyses systems, determines requirements
and designs new information systems.
Understanding the It is the first stage of the SDLC and is used to determine the
Problem purpose and requirements of a new system.
Planning The second stage of the SDLC and aims to decide which
possible solution, if any, should be developed and then
decide how it should be developed and managed.
Designing The third stage of the SDLC, where the actual solution is
designed and built, including describing the information
processes and specifying the system resources required to
perform these processes.
Implementing The fourth stage of the SDLC, where the new system is
installed and commences operation. It involves choosing a
conversion method to cease old system and replace with
the new system.
Testing, Evaluating and The fifth and final stage of the SDLC, which continues
Maintaining throughout the life of the system to ensure the system
maintains performance and continues to meet the system’s
requirements.
Traditional or Structured Requires each stage to be completed before the next
Approach commences.
,Outsourcing Where external specialists are contracted to develop part of
the system
Prototyping When an existing prototype is refined over time and evolves
into the final system
Customisation Where existing information technology is modified to meet
different requirements
Participant development When people who are or will be part of the system develop
the system
Agile Methods Used to refine a system whilst it is operational
Requirements Features, properties or behaviours a system must have to
achieve its purpose. Each requirement must be verifiable.
Requirements Prototype A working model of an information system, built in order to
understand the requirements of the system.
Requirements Report A formal report expressing the system’s requirements. It
specifies the inputs and outputs together with their
relationships to each other, but makes no attempt to solve
the problem.
Feasible Capable of being achieved using the available resources and
meeting the identified requirements.
Feasibility Study An analysis of whether the proposed solution is capable of
being achieved using the available resources and meeting
the identified requirements.
Feasibility Report A report that is created from analysis on the feasibility of
developing the new system.
Context Diagrams A systems modelling technique describing the entire system
as a single process, identifying the data entering and leaving
the system together with its source and sink (destination).
Data Dictionaries A table identifying and describing the nature of each data
item. Data dictionaries are used in many areas of system
design, including the design of databases.
Data Flow Diagrams A diagram that shows the logical flow of data through a
(DFDs) system or subsystem.
Data Flow A labelled arrow on context and data flow diagrams
, describing the nature and direction of data movement.
Data Store Where data is maintained prior to or after it has been
processed. Data stores are represented as open rectangles
on data flow diagrams.
External Entity A source or sink for data entering or leaving the system.
External entities are not part of the system.
Decision Trees A tool for documenting the logic upon which decisions are
made. They represent the rules, conditions and actions as a
diagram.
Decision Tables A tool for documenting the logic upon which decisions are
made. They represent the rules, conditions and actions as a
two-dimensional table.
Storyboards An annotated sequence of drawings representing the
screen designs and possible sequence of navigation in a
proposed application, animation or motion picture.
User Interface Part of a software application that displays information for
the user. The user interface provides the means by which
users interact with software.
Implementation Plan A project plan that identifies the tasks, people, processes,
timing and also cost of the system’s implementation.
Direct Conversion A method that involves the old system being completely
dropped and the new system being completely
implemented at a single point in time.
Parallel Conversion A method that involves operating both the old and new
systems together for a period of time.
Phased Conversion A method that involves a gradual introduction of the new
system whilst the old system is progressively discarded.
Pilot Conversion A method that involves the new system installed for a small
part of the old system, and then the system is installed and
used by the whole system.
Acceptance tests Formal tests conducted to verify whether or not a system
meets it requirements. Acceptance testing enables the
client to determine whether or not to accept the new
system.
,Volume Data Test data designed to ensure the system performs within its
requirements when processes are subjected to large
volumes of data.
Simulated Data Test data designed to test the performance of systems
under simulated operational conditions.
Live Data Real data that is processed by the operational system. Live
testing using live data takes place once the system has been
installed to ensure it is operating as expected.
Operational Manual A manual that describes the procedures participants follow
as they use the new system.
Procedure The series of steps required to complete a process
successfully.
Evaluation The process of examining a system to determine the extent
to which it is meeting its requirement.
Ergonomics The study of the relationship between human workers and
their work environment. This includes physical, emotional
and psychological aspects of work.
, Techniques for Managing a Project
- Establishes a balance between money, time and scope.
- Project manager needs excellent communication and planning skills, so there are different
styles and strategies
Communication Skills
Active Listening
- A strategy involving various feedback techniques that aims to improve the understanding of the
intended message from the speaker. Such techniques include restating, reflecting and summarising
the speaker’s major ideas and feelings.
- Aims at better receiving and understanding speaker's intended message and speaker knowing
listener has understood. More than hearing, requires attention and involvement, no 'fake listening'.
Techniques include mirroring, paraphrasing, summarising, clarifying questions and motivational
responses.
Conflict Resolution
- Conflicts can arise from allocating limited resources to development tasks, different goals,
scheduling of tasks, personal differences between people and internal conflict. Resolving requires
decision accepted by both parties, strategies including attack problem not person, brainstorming,
mediation involving third party and group problem solving.
Negotiation Skills
- Parties progressively alter their positions until agreement is reached
- Conflict resolution techniques are useful, but also: knowing in advance all you can about the
person, product, service, organisation; considering a range of possible arrangements in advance;
lower expectations by starting at a point that exceeds expected outcome; be confident and
assertive; establish trust before commencing
Interview Techniques
- Used to identify problems with existing systems, obtain feedback during development and recruit
and assess staff performance
- Planning and prep is key, one common technique is to pair questions: first asks specifics and is
simple (who what where which when) like what was your last project, second is more open ended
(how why) like how did you assist in achieving the project’s goals
Team Building
- Team: two or more people with complementary skills, behaviours and personalities who are
committed to achieving a common goal
- Successful teams achieve more: “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts”
- Advantages of groups that function as a team:
o More productive: they complement each other rather than causing conflict, meaning more
is achieved in less time
o Resulting in higher quality systems: exceeds requirements, fewer bugs, more tolerant of
faults, easier to maintain
