Methodologies in Information System Development & Project Management

This essay explores the critical role of methodologies in information systems development and project management, emphasizing the importance of business user involvement in core activities such as design, development, testing, and deployment. It discusses the integration of software development methodologies like Agile with project management frameworks such as PMBoK, highlighting the benefits of adapting to changes and fostering customer collaboration. The essay also examines the strategic alignment role of project and IT managers in ensuring that information system projects align with business goals through feasibility analysis and cost-benefit assessments, ultimately leading to competitive advantage and enhanced customer satisfaction. The document is available on Desklib, a platform offering a wide range of study tools and solved assignments for students.

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Information Systems Development & Project Management
Essay
4/30/2019

Information Systems Development & Project Management
Table of Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................2
Thesis Statement................................................................................................................................2
Involvement of Business User in Core Activities of Building Information System...............................2
Software Development Methodology & Project Management..............................................................3
Role of Managers..................................................................................................................................4
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................5
References.............................................................................................................................................6
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Information Systems Development & Project Management
Introduction
Information System Development is not concerned only with the design and development
tasks and processes. The entire project involves a lot many other tasks and business
operations that have an equal significance of the project success. For instance, planning is one
of the essential activities that need to be performed before the development tasks and
processes are started. Project Management is a discipline that involves the guidelines and
mechanisms for effective management and handling of a project. It is necessary that the
Project Management principles are applied in the information system development projects as
well to ensure that the successful results are achieved.
Thesis Statement
To understand the role of methodologies in information system development and project
management for ensuring project success.
Involvement of Business User in Core Activities of Building Information System
There is a business side involved in the development of an information system. It is essential
to consider the same and to come up with the mechanisms to ensure that the business
requirements are considered during the development of the information system.
The requirements of the system users may vary from one other. In the requirements
classification scheme, the business requirements are usually placed at the top of the
hierarchy. It is, therefore, essential that the business requirements are clearly understood and
adopted for the implementation of the same in the system development process.
The involvement of the business user is essential in the core activities of the information
system development. The core activities involved in building the information system include
system design, development, testing, and deployment. In the design phase, the business user
shall be involved in the design review and audit processes. The changes recommended shall
be implemented, if feasible. Similarly, the business user provides inputs in the development
and deployment phases of the system (Lawrence, Shah & Golder, 2015).
The perspectives of the stakeholders become clear with such collaborations with the business
users during the system development. Also, user acceptance testing is performed by the end-
users and the business users are also invited to carry out the testing processes. This is because
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Information Systems Development & Project Management
the business users can provide the inputs on the business side and the implementation of the
business logic in the system that has been developed.
The overall utility and usability of the system can increase as an outcome of the same.
Software Development Methodology & Project Management
There are numerous software development methodologies that have been defined. Earlier,
Waterfall was the primary approach that was used for the purpose of software development.
However, there are various ad-hoc methodologies that are now being preferred over the
traditional methods. One such methodology is the agile set of methods that allow the ad-hoc
development of a system in the iterative manner. In this methodology, there are multiple
iterations that are involved and the sub-set of the overall requirements is targeted in each of
these iterations called sprints (Ince, 2015).
These software development methodologies can be integrated with the project management
methods and mechanisms for the overall benefits to the project and the concerned
organization. For instance, Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK) is one of the
methodologies for project management that involves the phases as initiation, planning,
execution, control, and closure. There are several tasks and activities that come under this
methodology. It can be integrated with the agile development processes for the overall
handling and development of the system.
There are changes that are common and are expected in each of the development project.
Agile is a methodology that allows the handling of the changes in any of the project phase.
There are business, organizational, and environmental changes that may come up in these
project. The use of agile methodology for project development and its integration with the
change management guidelines under PMBoK can be utilized for the project (Rose, 2013).
This will result in the efficient change handling and management. In the case of inability to
manage the changes, there are negative outcomes on the project components and the
outcomes. However, the integration of agile development methodology with PMBoK or agile
management processes will allow the handling of the changes in an effective manner
(Rebaiaia & Vieira, 2014). Agile also puts a lot of focus on customer collaboration and
engagement. The customers are kept involved in all of the project phases and there is a
feedback cycle carried out at the end of each sprint. The comments received from the
customers are incorporated in the next sprint. Stakeholder management can be effectively
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Information Systems Development & Project Management
conducted as a part of project management with the aid of such agile properties. The
stakeholders will be provided with the updates in the form of working set of the product at a
gap of every two to three weeks. This will lead to enhanced stakeholder and customer
engagement and satisfaction levels (Chaudhary, Hyde & Rodger, 2017).
The amalgamation of the two will provide the benefits to the project as the success rate of the
projects will increase. Also, there will be benefits provided to the organization as the project
success will be achieved and the customer & stakeholder satisfaction level will also increase.
With the use of the agile methods and mechanisms, the customer involvement will be active
and the organization will succeed in expanding its customer base. There will be competitive
advantage that will be provided as a result.
Role of Managers
There are Project Managers and IT Managers involved in the information system
development projects and in the project management tasks and activities.
The managers are responsible for a variety of tasks and activities. It is also the responsibility
of these managers to ensure that the information system development projects are in line with
the business strategies and goals. The Project Manager can carry out strategic alignment by
mapping the project goals with the business goals. There are SMART objectives that are set
which can be analysed to determine the alignment with the organizational objectives.
The IT Managers can ensure the adherence with the business goals and objectives by carrying
out the technical and operational feasibility analysis. The results of the feasibility studies will
provide the detailed outcome of the project and the goals that it may achieve. The associated
risks and challenges will also become clear in this process. These risks and details will be
used to determine the fulfilment of the business strategies and goals by the project
(Sundqvist, 2019).
There will also be cost-benefit analysis conducted by the Project Manager in associated with
the IT Manager of the project. The process will provide the detailed account of the project
costs that will be spent and the benefits that will be earned. Benefit realization will be
achieved in this process and the details of the benefits that will be provided will be made
clear. This will make sure that the information on the benefits provided to the organization is
understood.
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Information Systems Development & Project Management
These processes will make sure that the project goals and objectives are strategically aligned
with the organizational goals and objectives.
Conclusion
Information system development projects are composed of a variety of tasks and activities.
There is a business side associated with the project and it is necessary that the requirements
and expectations of the business users are considered at all times. The use of project
management methodologies will prove to be successful in such mechanisms. The
amalgamation of the project management methods with the information system development
mechanisms will allow the ability to strategically align the project goals with the organization
goals. Also, there will be benefits provided to the organization in terms of competitive
advantage, improved customer base, and customer satisfaction levels.
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Information Systems Development & Project Management
References
Chaudhary, P., Hyde, M., & Rodger, J. (2017). Exploring the Benefits of an Agile
Information System. Intelligent Information Management, 09(05), 133-155. doi:
10.4236/iim.2017.95007
Ince, C. (2015). Approaches and Benefits for Adopting Agile Methods. INSIGHT, 18(3), 18-
20. doi: 10.1002/inst.12042
Lawrence, D., Shah, H., & Golder, P. (2015). Business users and the information system
development process: a need to know basis. The Place Of Information Technology In
Management And Business Education, 118-127. doi: 10.1007/978-0-387-35089-9_16
Rebaiaia, M., & Vieira, D. (2014). Integrating PMBOX Standards, Lean and Agile Methods
in Project Management Activities. International Journal Of Computer Applications,
88(4), 40-46. doi: 10.5120/15343-3680
Rose, K. (2013). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®
Guide)-Fifth Edition. Project Management Journal, 44(3), e1-e1. doi:
10.1002/pmj.21345
Sundqvist, E. (2019). The Role of Project Managers as Improvement Agents in Project-Based
Organizations. Project Management Journal, 875697281983278. doi:
10.1177/8756972819832784
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