Evaluating Project Management Software Packages

The assignment content discusses project management, software quality assurance and control, as well as two project management software packages. It highlights the importance of proper planning, organizing, leading, and controlling in project management. The difference between software quality assurance (SQA) and software quality control (SQC) is also explained. Additionally, the article presents a network diagram and critical path for the 'Fresh Breath' project and evaluates two project management software packages, Teamwork Projects and Gantt Project.

Quality system in IT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................1
TASK 1......................................................................................................................................1
1. 1 Range of international standards being used to ensure quality of an IT system.............1
TASK 2......................................................................................................................................2
1.2 (a & b) Different possible risk areas as well as mitigation in development of the new
ERP system by Azure Project Team......................................................................................2
TASK 3......................................................................................................................................3
Different features assures that software quality is good........................................................3
Different information a project manager needs to start a project and to complete a project. 4
Difference between software quality assurance and software quality control.......................4
TASK 4......................................................................................................................................5
Network diagram and Critical Path for Fresh Breadth Project..............................................5
Network Diagram...................................................................................................................6
Fresh Breath’s Project Network Earliest Finish and Late Start.............................................6
Fresh Breath’s Project Network Earliest start and Late Finish Time.....................................7
TASK 5......................................................................................................................................7
Evaluate and present different findings on two project management software packages......7
Gantt Project...........................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Information technology is widely used applications of computers to store, retrieve,
transmit and manipulate data in an effective manner. It is quite essential to maintain the
quality system in information technology. With the help of implementing quality system
within their business process they can easily focus on achieving quality process (Contini and
Cordella, 2007). It is the best way through which customers needs and demands can be meet
out.
The present study is based on the case scenario of Clean Air Ltd which is famous for
installing air pollution control equipment for their customers in the UK. Currently, they are
losing their market share due to which CAL creative team think to develop modular
equipment which can easily customized for their customer. With the help of this, they can
deliver various services within short time frame. CAL proposes to name this range as Fresh
Breadth range. In order to facilitate the same they would like to develop an IT system.
Further, this project helps in identifying the project scheduling process as well as various
activities that the Fresh Breath project need to complete. For this, an appropriate IT ERP
planning system will take place which would enable to automate scheduling of all the
activities. With the help of this system company can also manage procurement of all different
mechanism in a timely manner (Greasley, 2007). They have occupied an IT vendor Azure
consulting for the same.
TASK 1
1. 1 Range of international standards being used to ensure quality of an IT system
At the each stage of development of the new ERP system by Azure project team there
are various international standards that must be use to ensure the quality of that system. It is
the most important tasks for any software development team to ensure the quality of their IT
system as well as its maintenance (Bagad, 2009).
With the help of setting its international standards CAL can easily manage its
business activities as well as process. By applying the various methodologies and procedures
company can attain highest professional level. There are various ranges of international
standards used by Azure project team such as:
ISO 31000 risk: It is an international standard for risk management and help
organizations in proper risk analysis as well as risk assessment. Using ISO 31000 help
organizations to increase the likelihood of achieving objectives as well as improving the
identification of opportunities and threats (Walker, 2014). This standard cannot be use for the
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certification purpose but it provides guidelines for the internal and external audits as well. It
is a best framework which provides appropriate process for managing risks. Azure project
team use this standard in order to compare their risk management practices with an
internationally recognized benchmark. It is consider as a risk management standard through
which CAL Company is able to manage risks effectively and more likely to protect
themselves.
ISO 9000: It is another most effective quality management system that helps in
increasing business efficiency. This standard provides various features to companies through
which they can successfully file the essentials they need to maintain an efficient quality
system (Bagad, 2009). With the help of this company can meet out to the regular
requirements of their customers and also achieve continual improvement.
The above given international quality standards must be followed by CAL company at
the each stage of development of the new ERP system. With the help of this they would
enable to scheduling of all their activities in an appropriate way. There is a huge scope of
quality management standards as it serves as a tool for self assessment of their ability to carry
out software development projects. This also serves improvement of development and
maintenance processes by application of the standard direction.
TASK 2
1.2 (a & b) Different possible risk areas as well as mitigation in development of the new ERP
system by Azure Project Team
CAL is planning to develop and IT ERP system through which they can manage all
their business processes in a more effective manner. This system is designed to integrate
internal and external information that helps in enhancing the flow of communication. At the
time of development of new ERP system by Azure project team there are various possible
risk areas such as:
Timeliness and project scheduling: Company most of the time underestimate the complexity
and resources necessary to implement an effective ERP system. Due to this, they fail to
adequately plan for unpredictable contingencies (Sheu, 2005). There are various
interdependencies associated with ERP system. Various contingency and scheduling risks
occur at the time of implementation which effects of not meeting deadlines. It is consider as a
high risk area which affects the core strategic objectives of CAL.
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Risk mitigation: This type of risk can be mitigating by establishing milestones that
each project team can develop plan around. It helps them in meeting their project deadline
and managing all the tasks as per the set goals.
Functional area involvement: Lacks of involvement from cross functional areas are the
major risks covered at the time of developing any type of ERP system. There must be
appropriate involvement of other function areas as well (Bender, 2009).
Risk mitigation: In order to mitigate this type of risks owner need to take various
decisions regarding the business process. They also need to retain talented employees in order
to enhance their performance.
Data management risk: This type of risk is associated with data validation and conversion.
At this time company needs appropriate planning as well as proper amount of time.
Inadequacy of planning requires proper mapping of data structures.
Risk mitigation: In order to mitigate such type of risks companies need to manage
data conversion programs and thoroughly test the programs and proactively asses the data
risks (Roberts, 2011).
TASK 3
Different features assures that software quality is good
There are various features which assure that software quality is good. Quality of
software can be measured by considering following features:
 Speed- Quality of software can be measure by its speed in running specific program.
By considering this aspect software is considered qualitative if it is able to complete
different tasks in timely manner.
 User friendly- software is said to be of good quality if it has good usability. In
addition to this, there should not be high technical features which may create
confusion for the users (Charvat, 2003). Usability can be assessed by considering
effectiveness of use for input preparation, interpretation of output and consistency in
user interface standards.
 Portability- Portability of software can be measured in terms of costing and technical
issues while activities of porting. Software has quality remark if it is highly
complicated or cost consuming for the process of portability. Maintainability- Different versions of the software should be easy to maintain. For
further development, it should be easy to add code to the existing system and for
upgrading of new technologies and new features in timely manner. In addition to this,
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process of maintenance should be cost and time and effective (System Development
Model, 2013).
Different information a project manager needs to start a project and to complete a project
There is information required by project manager in order to start a project and to
complete a project as well. He must have a proper knowledge about the product or service on
the basis of which they are developing their project. In order to start a project it is essential
for project manager to go through the proper explanation with key stakeholders as well as
discussing its key components (Reichgelt and Duggan, 2006). A project manager needs to
develop a plan with the set of living documents that can be expected to change. It provides a
roadmap or direction for the project. He also goes through the appropriate performance
measures in order to determine that whether the project is going on track or not. Additionally,
it is the basic step and need not covered at the imitation phase. At the time of starting project
manager should go through the proper market research as well as areas which needs to be
covered. Appropriate risk management plan, quality plan as well as procurement plan and
communication plan needs to be set. Project managers are one who is responsible for
developing their project plan in order to learn and change as well. In addition to this, they
need to set their project goals and objectives which they needs to achieve (Contini and
Cordella, 2007). Further, they can easily complete the start up project with the help of using
their skills as well as expertise in order to inspire a sense of shared purpose within the project
team. He must have proper information about technical filed so that their project can be
effectively completed.
A project manager needs to go through the proper planning, organizing, leading as
well as controlling (Plenert, 2002). A project scope is clearly defined with proper project
scheduling as well as policies and procedures that supports the achievement of the project
objectives.
Difference between software quality assurance and software quality control
Criteria Software Quality
Assurance (SQA)
Software Quality Control
(SQC)
Definition Quality assurance is the most
important function of
software quality. It gives
proper assurance that the
On the other hand, quality
control is the process that
follows its standards,
processes as well as
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standards, process and
procedures are appropriate
for the project (Dalcher,
2012). They must be
correctly implemented. In
this, proper software quality
assurance as well as quality
control can be checked by
implementing statistical tool
and techniques.
procedures. It basically
requires internal as well as
external products (Maqsood,
2011). With the help of
applying statistical tools and
techniques process output
can be gathered.
Focus Process Focused Product Focus
Orientation Prevention oriented Detection oriented
Activities Audits and training Review and training
TASK 4
Network diagram and Critical Path for Fresh Breadth Project
Activity Description Immediate-
Predecessor
Expected-
Time(days)
A Build Internal Components - 3
B Modify Roof and Floor A 6
C Construct collection stack A 4
D Pour concrete and install frame A 2
E Build High Temperature burner B 7
F Install control systems C 5
G Install Air Pollution Device D 4
H Install outgoing tubes E 7
I Install outside support frames F 8
J Inspection and Testing G 9
K Commission the system H,I,J 4
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Network Diagram
Fresh Breath’s Project Network Earliest Finish and Late Start
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Fresh Breath’s Project Network Earliest start and Late Finish Time
TASK 5
Evaluate and present different findings on two project management software packages
Teamwork Project
Teamwork project is one of the most important and creative project management
packages which made the collaboration easier. It is the ultimately productivity tool that helps
in managing projects within the team. It is the best package which allow user to keep all their
projects, tasks as well as files in one place. All their team members can further easily
collaborate within the team. It is the best way to organize the projects within the team. It is
the most powerful and simple way to collaborate (Lewis, 2007). Using teamwork projects
helps in identifying what they have to do and when it must be done. It also works with all
those application which a person is already using. Teamwork projects are designed to work
seamlessly with the tools. In this package everything is in the cloud, accessible anywhere at
any time.
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Figure 1Teamwork Projects
(Source: CreativeBlog, 2015)
Gantt Project
It is another most important project management tool which is an open source free
project scheduling and management tool. It provides several features through which
individuals projects can be easily managed (Knapp, 2010).
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Figure 2 Gantt Projects
(Source: Capterra, 2015)
Users can generate Gantt and PERT charts, produce reports in HTML and PDF
formats, and offers versatile scheduling and time management tools. The management
platform allows users to quickly create a structured schedule for any project. It also includes
several features such as task assignment and milestone implementation.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that Project management helps in
managing the overall project within the team. Azure project team developed an ERP system
by following all the international standards. It ensures quality of an IT system and project
manager need to complete all the stages in an appropriate manner. Further, there are various
project management tools has also be described in this project as well as different features
which assures that quality system of file is good such as speed, user friendly, portability etc.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Bagad, S. V., 2009. Management Information Systems. Technical Publications.
Bender, B. M., 2009. A Manager's Guide to Project Management: Learn How to Apply Best
Practices. FT Press.
Brooke, C., 2009. Critical Management Perspectives on Information Systems. Routledge.
Charvat, J., 2003. Project Management Methodologies: Selecting, Implementing, and
Supporting Methodologies and Processes for Projects. John Wiley & Sons.
Contini, F. and Cordella, A., 2007. Information System and Information Infrastructure
Deployment: the Challenge of the Italian e-Justice Approach. The Electronic Journal
of e-Government. 5(1). pp 43 – 52.
Cristóbal, J. and et.al, 2011.Software engineering infrastructure in a large virtual
campus.Interactive Technology and Smart Education.8 (3).pp.172–185.
Dalcher, D., 2012. The nature of project management: A reflection on The Anatomy of Major
Projects by Morris and Hough. International Journal of Managing Projects in
Business. 5(4). pp.643 - 660.
Knapp, W. B., 2010. A Project Manager's Guide to Passing the Project Management (Pmp)
Exam. www.pmexam.com.
Lester, A., 2007. Project Management, Planning and Control: Managing Engineering,
Construction and Manufacturing Projects to PMI, APM and BSI Standards.
Butterworth-Heinemann.
Lewis, P. J., 2007. Fundamentals of Project Management. 3rd ed. AMACOM Div American
Mgmt Assn.
Maqsood, T., 2011. Managing Risk in Projects. International Journal of Managing Projects
in Business. 4 (1). pp.179 - 180.
Plenert, J.G., 2002. Project Management. Copenhagen Business School Press DK.
Reichgelt, H. and Duggan,W.E., 2006. Measuring Information Systems Delivery Quality.
Idea Group Inc (IGI).
Roberts, P., 2011. Effective Project Management: Identify and Manage Risks Plan and
Budget Keep Projects Under Control. Kogan Page Publishers.
Sheu, C., 2005. The importance of national culture in project management research.
International Journal of Operations & Production Management. 25(4). pp.371 – 394.
Walker, D., 2014. Project Stakeholder Management. International Journal of Managing
Projects in Business. 7(2). pp.318 - 320.
Online
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System Development Model. 2013. [Online]. Available through: <
http://www.scribd.com/doc/15243782/System-Development-Model>. [Accessed on
20th October 2015].
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