Tools, techniques and procedures Unit 2 IT Pathways Outcome 3 STAGE 1 Project Management Teams Problem Solving Methodology (Analysis)

Team Projects Purdue University team’s World Record The Purdue Society of Professional Engineers team smashed its own Guinness world record for largest Rube Goldberg machine with a 300- step behemoth that flawlessly accomplished the simple task of blowing up and popping a balloon. The team spent more than 5,000 hours constructing the machine that accomplished every task ever assigned in the competition's 25-year history, including peeling an apple, juicing an orange, toasting bread, making a hamburger, changing a light bulb, loading a CD and sharpening a pencil. Published on Apr 4, 2012 http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/general/2012/120406UmperovitchRecord.html

SAC: Outcome 3 “Work collaboratively (teams) and apply the problem-solving methodology (PSM) to create and ICT solution (project), taking into account client feedback” Consider yourselves as employees who have a responsibility to prepare the brief for your client.

Problem Solving Methodology PSM Key Elements SAC Unit 2 Outcome 3 Project Management Teamwork Problem Solving Methodology PSM

Working in teams to solve an information problem Anything of any value is usually produced in teams Right sized team with the right expertise can produce a product a far greater quality than in individual ever could However with teams there are new issues to be considered if they are to run properly

Project management Techniques have been developed for many years Generally the most complicated things that humans did in teams was build Now many more things are done in teams?

What is a project? Has the following characteristics: Clearly defined purpose (solution) Starting time Finite lifetime Number of interdependent tasks Think of creating a web site, organising a school dance etc…

Project manager Views all tasks and sub task Knows all the interdependencies Is skilled in HR managing, communication, QC, time management, costing , accounting and contract management Manages financial risk (going over budget)

Project management techniques Tasks – substantial but not too complex, start and finish, could be a milestone Resources – money, equipment and HR Schedule – All tasks and interdependencies, use a Gantt chart, identifies the critical path Critical path – tasks on the critical path can not be extended without extending the end time

Project management techniques Costing – Assigned for use of resources Quality control – check against identified standards Contingency plans – identify risks and come up with backup plans in case of disaster

Problem-solving methodology and webpage design Analyse Design Development Evaluation Kelly, Mark. 2010. VCE IT Lecture Notes http://vceit.com/p/00- psm2011.htm

PSM: Analysis Analysis typically answers the 'what questions' - what will solve a problem, given particular circumstances? What benefits will the solution bring to the user? Determining the solution requirements. What information does the solution have to provide? What data is needed to produce the information? What functions does the solution have to provide? These requirements can be classified as being functional, namely what the solution is required to do, and non-functional, which describes the attributes the solution should possess, such as user-friendliness, reliability, portability, robustness, maintainability. Tools to assist in determining the solution requirements include context diagrams, data flow diagrams and use cases. Identifying the constraints on the solution. What conditions need to be considered when designing a solution? Typical constraints include cost, speed of processing, requirements of users, legal requirements, security, compatibility, level of expertise, capacity, availability of equipment. Determining the scope of the solution. What can the solution do? What can't the solution do? What are the benefits of the solution to the user? The scope states the boundaries or parameters of the solution. Benefits can be stated in terms of their efficiency and effectiveness. Kelly, Mark. 2010. VCE IT Lecture Notes http://vceit.com/p/00-psm2011.htm

Analysing the problem Obtaining feedback Defining the problem (problem statement) Deciding what information needs to be produced Data and functionality required Constraints Managing the project Schedule of tasks – Gantt Chart

Project management tools Project table List all your tasks and details about them Project Table is a precursor to produce an official schedule such as a Gantt Chart

Gantt charts What is this arrow? What is this diamond?

File collaboration Groupware – allows many users to work on single document SharePoint, Microsoft Groove, Dreamweaver (check in/check out, Word, Google Docs (see vid)

COMPULSORY TASKS: STAGE 1 TASK 1: TEAMS & TASKS REQUIREMENTS NB: ALL Stage 1: Tasks 1 & 2 on one text document please! Submission: Text Document Name of team members Allotment of team member tasks Decision on file collaboration Once you come up with an idea for an application/game you need to present it to you teacher who will be acting as you client in this case. After the teacher confirms your idea then you can go into production. TASK 2: ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS Definition of problem and solution Statement TASK 3: PROJECT SCHEDULE NB: Present this separately as an excel file please! Submission: Excel Document or similar eg. http://www.ganttproject.biz/ Schedule: Gantt Chart