WE INTERRUPT THIS BROADCAST FOR A ....

Ok, i still haven't gotten into moodle, but have set up a "catch-up" plan that will be in compliance with the "learning outcomes"

Ok, Here’s the details of what we will need to do to conform to the school’s rules: (if you prefer to read the word document, it is here

For each week of class:

• I have to give an assignment that will be posted on moodle, so it is documented.
• I have to create a discussion topic that all students must respond to through the moodle discussion board.
• I have to assign research and reading for student response (like the exercises)
• We will now assume that the “board game” is a web-based software game. (you’ll be using the same visuals… I’ll be giving you platform and software suggestions… and I’d be surprised if some of you didn’t go ahead and do it… it can be as simple as you make it)

So here’s our “catch up”
Part 1 is Planning

Required: Chapter 1 of the book discusses gathering and analyzing requirements. (by the way, a quick read on p 35 of the exercises is interesting)
Already Done: You gathered the project charter, and identified the types of deliverables by determining details of the game.
What you need to do: You already interpreted my scope into actual requirements, so you need to:

• Set a goal and use the Requirements Document I set up to lay out the initial requirements as you understand them, note that i have filled out all but 3 columns.
• Write a requirements specification (page 2 of same doc) for this project
• List the key objective
• Describe the environment the system will work in.
• Note any questions or inconsistencies you find when writing your Requirements Document (this is expected)
• Note requirements that are not actual deliverables, but are customer “needs”

• Understand pitfalls: (see pg 23)
• The requirements specification often becomes the sole deliverable
• And critical information you need to know (which you will need to understand) below which Ghada considers a vital part of this process: (I will post these rules on moodle)

2. Your WBS (They Call It Task Analysis)

• The project needs to be broken down into major deliverables,
• then further into secondary tasks
• Indicate where the task needs to be broken down further
• Indicate the sequence of the tasks
• If you can do it, then fill in the appropriate “keys” I’ve used to indicate the level of effort required.
• Indicate (using asterisk) areas that involve risk (risk can be software, resources, time, anything that can derail the project)

I set up 2 WBS documents… one for the top level, and another for the detailed one... but you do not have to fill out #2

3. The Resources Matrix… and the Risk Analysis

Required: DO NOT fill out the Resource Responsibility Matrix but study the combined resource matrix form.
Required: Do address the New Risk Analysis and Planning Form.
Using your WBS, choose a few likely areas where risk may occur. You can choose from the Risk Source box at the bottom to create at least 3 risks, then create a realistic situation and a logical solution.

4. There is a new QUALITY REVIEW MATRIX FOR PLANNING PHASE

I will email this when it is finished, but I wanted you-all to get this asap. And finally, we will cover project metrics, goals and measurements (chapter 3) and if you’ve really read this far, I will be bringing fireworks (not terribly legal in VA, so you can take them home and have fun blowing off a finger) M-80’s and whatever else I can find from our big buying trip to NC a while ago.

Class 2

ESSENTIAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT DEFINTITIONS, ROLES AND CONSTRAINTS

Topic:  Review of the badly-illustrated, but well thought out review of project management (and yes, here's their own description "a fun edutoon series on project management — things you should know but may have forgotten.") by Max Wideman, whose site is excellent, but this presentation... not so much.

Understand the basic constraints:

Homework: Review key PM processes:
risk analysis/management: (chapter 5, textbook); ePMbook*; Risk assessment tool from Leading Answers
Risk Planning Worksheet Quality Management: Quality Management vs Quality Audit
Scope (and change)Scope and Change Control, Chapter 15, textbook: change control
Documentation/Configuration Management System: Chapter 7, textbook, Processes p. 145;

Class 3

PLANNING: (WBS MODEL), SCOPE
ROLE AND RESOURCE PLANNING

Topic:  Using either the WBS model, or one of many other models, the defined deliverable has become our scope. From this scope an experienced project manager defines the shape of the project. Waterfall, overlapping phases, iterative

IN CLASS EXERCISE: As a class we will talk out the scope of the deliverable, the prototype, how it is to be presented for final deliverable, and methodology for testing individual student performance.

IN CLASS GROUPS: Start developing a Project Plan from initial scope. You are in the project planning phase:

RESOURCE WORKSHEETS: The "Foundation" of Project Planning. The WBS is defined as: "A deliverable-oriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables."
Sample Work Breakdown Structure. Project WBS
Articles: Creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) By Tony Jacowski
Work Breakdown Structure: Purpose, Process and Pitfalls by Micah Mathis, PMP
Work Breakdown Structure Made Easy By Mohammed K Barakat

Homework: Students will continue development of planning document, each group determines roles. Note Each student will create their own "logbook" in which they record lessons, learned, concepts and ideas (used or not used for this class), notebooks may contain worksheets. These notebooks will count towards your final grade (and highlight areas to focus on)

TEAMS

Class 4

PLANNING: RESOURCE AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT, RISK MANAGEMENT

IN CLASS EXERCISE: Continuing with the planing phase, we will review how resources and quality impact risk. Guidance on Risk Management

IN CLASS GROUPS: Continue with project planning phase Quality, Resource and Risk Management;

Resources: (PMBOK and Other PM Worksheets ) Review and use samples: (click to download)

Homework: Students will continue development of planning document, each group determines roles. Note Each student will create their own "logbook" in which they record lessons, learned, concepts and ideas (used or not used for this class), notebooks may contain worksheets. These notebooks will count towards your final grade (and highlight areas to focus on)

Class 5

List of documents essential to Project Management: PLANNING

Project Charter
WBS
Risk Planning Worksheet
Resource Responsibility Matrix
Quality Review Plan Checklist
Phase Sign-Off

IMPLEMENTATION
Communications Matrix
Skills Matrix
Scope Change Request
Lessons Learned
Quality Review Checklist

PLANNING: CREATE TEAM, TASKS FOR TEAM ROLES (RESPONSIBILITY MATRIX) SET MILESTONES

IN CLASS EXERCISE: Continuing with the planing phase, we will review how resources and quality impact risk. Guidance on Risk Management

Logical Process of Entire Project Management Process (use for Game as well)

IN CLASS GROUPS: Continue with project planning phase Team Building, Responsibilities, Roles;

Resources: (Use word documents on the left side)

Setting Milestones

Project Planning Resources

Developing Project Schedule (part 2 in the Project Lifecycle from the PM Hut Website - contains wbs, activity, network diagram, and activities).

Project Planning Chapter from GSAM:

IN CLASS AND HOMEWORK:

Risk Planning and Resource Responsibility

Class 6

IMPLEMENTATION: A COMMUNICATIONS PLAN

Topic:  A Communication Plan provides a framework to ensure successful execution of the project. This Matrix details meetings and reports, as well as attendees. Review Team Communications Matrix

REVIEW "PROTOTYPE" (ROUGH DRAFT) OF DELIVERABLE w/IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Accompanied by "THE QUALITY REVIEW MATRIX FOR PLANNING PHASE (MYRA'S VERSION) " from each class member.

Homework: You may revise your matrix.

Class 7

IMPLEMENTATION: ASSESS JOB SKILLS AND , PROJECT SCHEDULE, RISK PRIORITY

In class-exercise: Fill out details using Key Elements Checklist: Project Schedule Key Elements
Create skills list for team and match up with resources you have. Use the Skills Matrix
And review schedule with your Risk Priroity Checklist for conflicts.

Review

Homework: .

Class 8

MONITORING: SCOPE CHANGE

Topic:  Project Management Process Quality Review: Execution and Control Phase:
Evaluating the Project management process is critical to determining where changes or improvements are needed. Use this checklist periodically throughout the project lifecycle to assess how well the project is progressing.

IN CLASS EXERCISE: Scope Change Request AND Scope Change Control Log

Homework:

Class 9

TEAM MANAGEMENT, STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT, SCOPE VERIFICATION

Topic: Presentations of final Deliverable for class and customer review

IN CLASS EXERCISE:

Homework: Make any change to presentation requested

Class 10

CLOSEOUT AND LESSONS LEARNED

Topic: Presentations of final Deliverable