UNIT 52:PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Written by Pat A. Luther, Adjunct Professor,Department of Business and Environmental Technologies,Roane State Community College

Context


In this unit the student will learn how to assess needs requirements and evaluate options in order to implement and maintain a GIS laboratory and how to plan and manage GIS project work. The student will also learn where to find information on U.S. Government contracts that are available for bid.

Example Application

The city has hired you to establish a GIS based routing system for their 911 office. The system will be established from the ground up, there is no existing equipment or digital maps. There is a database of phone numbers linked to addresses. The city needs a system that will find the best route, display it on the monitor in a short period of time, produce written directions for the route, and print a hard copy. You will choose hardware/software, personnel, plan the project including deliverables.

Learning Outcomes

The following list describes the expected skills which students should master for each level of training, i.e. Awareness/Competency/Mastery.

Awareness:

Competency:

Mastery:

Awareness


Learning Objectives:


Vocabulary

Topics

  1. Unit Tasks

    1. Determine software needs by answering the following questions
      Tip A10
      • do you need raster or vector functionality or both ?
      • do you need image analysis capability ?
      • will a desk top mapping package provide all the needed functions ?
      • will the package handle the data formats you plan to use ?
      • is the package capable of performing required analyses ?
      • is the package supported (can you get assistance with problems) ?
      • are staff trained to use the software, if not, what is the cost of training ?
      • do you prefer workstation or PC based ?
      • multi user or single user ?
      • networked or stand alone ?
      • does the system have sufficient disk space to store data and perform analysis ?
      • is it compatible with the software and peripherals ?
      • do you need digitizing/scanning capabilities ?
      • do you need CD-ROM readers/writers ?
      • do you need tape drives/zip drives ?
      • what size and quality plots do you need to output ?
      • what will you use for data backup/storage ?
      • do you need additional staff persons ? If, so, what level of skill do you require ?
      • do you need to budget for additional training ?

    2. management

      • Day to day management requirements:
        • monitoring disk space usage
        • backing up the system and storing backups off site
        • monitoring supplies
        • maintaining hardware as per vendor requirements
        • addressing security issues such as user management and software patches for security "holes"
        • keeping maintenance agreements current

      • Long term management:

        • Upgrading software/operating systems to remain current
        • Upgrading hardware as demands increase
        • Assessing changing requirements and expanding facilities/equipment/personnel to meet the demands

    3. determining client specifications

      • what are the desired deliverables
      • is speed of output important
      • what is the desired format of output

    4. To budget time and manpower, determine the following:

      • what are the tasks to be performed
      • what skills are required to perform the tasks
      • who has the skills needed
      • how long will it take each person to perform the task
      • what is the cost of each person
      • what is the available time frame for completing the tasks
      • which person(s) is most cost effective to complete the task within the time frame
      • are additional resources needed to do the work

    5. In estimating the cost of a job, the following need to be considered:

      • personnel required to do the job
      • man hours for each person
      • hourly cost of each person
      • management hours and cost
      • travel if required
      • meetings with the client
      • cost of equipment and supplies
      • company overhead

    6. Defining deliverables

      • develop an outline of the deliverables to your client including information required in the database in order to obtain the desired output products

    7. Quality control methods

      • draft a plan for quality control, how will you validate your database ?

    8. Scheduling

      • draft an outline of the lifecycle of the project. What is the sequence of events from beginning to packaging of the product ?

    9. Packaging deliverables

      • define the packaging of the product.

    Competency


    Learning Objectives:

    The student will:

    1. find information on hardware/software

    2. match client specifications to hardware/software capabilities

    3. determin the level of skill/training needed to perform the tasks with the software/hardware products

    4. match skill level to various projects tasks

    5. calculate cost based on tasks and skill level required

    6. determine whether the options you are evaluating will enable you to deliver a good product

    7. evaluate the QC process using hardware/software options

    8. estimate time for each part of the project.

    9. list hardware/software/supplies needed in order to package the product properly

    Generic List of Tasks:

    1. search the world wide web for vendor sites and gather product specifications. Contact vendors for additional information.

    2. evaluate support functions of vendors. Is there phone/e-mail support (help desk)? Is there a service representative in the area? What is the expected response/turn around time on repairs? What is the cost of the services?

    3. Compare the client specifications to the capapbilities of the hardware/software. Which options will perform the needed tasks?

    4. Outline the skills needed in order to complete the tasks. Find out the cost of software training courses from vendors.

    5. Estimate hours required to complete project taks. Assign a salary level to the various tasks based on skill level required.

    6. Review the deliverables based on the vendor specifications.

    7. have you considered having the capability to plot on mylar? Did you consider a light table for viewing overlays?

    8. create a flow chart with tasks and time for each.

    9. determine what you need to deliver the product in the desired format. CDROM writer? Plotter capable of the size plots desired ?

    Mastery

    Learning Objectives:

    In finalizing a plan for the E911 project, the student will:

    1. Select what is needed for the project.
    2. Understand lab management tasks.
    3. Be able to educate the client in order to get clear specifications.
    4. Understand the steps in determining time and manpower budgets.
    5. Know how to prepare a bid.
    6. Clearly define deliverables
    7. Develop QC methods
    8. Understand project flow and scheduling
    9. Define contents of the delivery package

    Mastery tasks:

    1. Select a software package, platform and peripherals explain why you chose them.
    2. Develop a list of lab management tasks.
    3. Determine exact client specifications.
    4. List personnel required and man hours for each.
    5. Give a cost of your project.
    6. List exact deliverables.
      Tip M1
    7. List your QC methods for the project.
      Tip M2
    8. Develop a schedule of project tasks.
    9. Define what will be included in your package of deliverables.
      Tip M3

      Example Implementation

    Resources
    Back To Core Curriculum for Technical Programs Welcome Page
    Currently maintained by Steve Palladino
    Created: May 14, 1997. Last updated: March 11, 1999.
    Content comments to Pat Luther
    Formatting comments to Steve Palladino