Question

A new systems development project is Pete’s first experience as a project manager, and he has led his team successfully to the programming phase of the project. The project has not always gone smoothly, and Pete has made a few mistakes, but he is generally pleased with the progress of his team and the quality of the system being developed. Now that programming has begun, Pete has been hoping for a little break in the hectic pace of his workday. Prior to beginning programming. Pete recognized that the time estimates made earlier in the project were too optimistic. However, he was firmly committed to meeting the project deadline because of his desire for his first project to be a success. In anticipation of this time-pressure problem, Pete arranged with the human resources department to bring in two new college graduates and two college interns to beef up the programming staff. Pete would have liked to find some staff with more experience, but the budget was too tight and he was committed to keeping the project budget under control. Pete made his programming assignments, and work on the programs began about two weeks ago. Now, Pete has started to hear some rumbles from the programming team leaders that may signal trouble. It seems that the programmers have reported several instances where they wrote programs, only to be unable to find them when they went to test them. Also, several programmers have opened programs that they had written, only to find that someone had changed portions of their programs without their knowledge.

a. Is the programming phase of a project a time for the project manager to relax? Why or why not?
b. What problems can you identify in this situation?
c. What advice do you have for the project manager?
d. How likely does it seem that Pete will achieve his desired goals of being on time and within budget if nothing is done?

Answer 1

Answer:When undertaking a software development project, the first element to consider is the establishment of a comprehensive yet practical approach to the initiative that ultimately will lead to a successful end result.

The in-house project manager has a key role in ensuring each phase of the project is carried out as planned. The project manager is responsible for considering the potential risks involved with the project and how to avoid and resolve them, establishing and maintaining momentum throughout the project, ensuring individual project team member tasks are assigned appropriately and carried out according to specifications, and successfully addressing and resolving any conflicts that may arise during the length of the development project.

A well-qualified project manager is able to address what may seem to be an overwhelmingly complex process by developing an organised approach where the process is broken down into manageable individual tasks and understanding how to keep those involved in the project dedicated to the ultimate goal of meeting and even exceeding the expected end result.

If the project manager dedicates the necessary time, effort, and resources to the preparation of an efficient, comprehensive, and practical approach, then the project team may progress with ease and confidence as they deliver on their individual tasks, having a solid foundation and strategic framework at the outset. Far too often, however, failures with such projects are the result of not only a poorly executed plan, but one that ultimately lacked the fundamental elements of a well-though-out approach rooted in adequate preparation

Step-by-step explanation: