CSSE 372 8.September.2008 The Changing Face of Projects Chapter 1, pages 17-31 This discussion goes with Week 1 Day 1 – Quiz.

CSSE 3728.September.2008

The Changing Face of ProjectsChapter 1, pages 17-31

This discussion goes with Week 1 Day 1 – Quiz

OutlineThe project landscapeComplexity/Uncertainty domain

“Inquisitive project manager,” from q4pm.com/archives/150/7 .

Reminder - Be the project manager…For this class, take on that perspectiveNow do it again!Keep doing it…

Why?

Google’s 1st pictures of project manager, from www.pmthink.com/labels/certification.htm and from http://www.pmthink.com/labels/pmi-project-management-institute.htm.

Shanice

Cody

What’s an “opportunity” in business?

Above: Visual “opportunity,” from http://www.dubaichronicles.com/2006_04_01_zchizzerz_archive.html.

“Opportunity” in Wysocki means:Something your enterprise wants solved, or an

untapped business opportunityKey players in your organization agree the

organization should act on it

More on this in Ch 2 (p. 37)

Opportunity

What’s a project’s “goal”?goal (gōl) n. 1. The purpose toward which an

endeavor is directed; an objective. 2. Sports. a. The finish line of a race. b. A specified structure or zone into or over which players endeavor to advance a ball or puck. c. The score awarded for such an act.

-- The American Heritage Dictionary

Opportunity

Project “Goal” in Wysocki means:What a particular project will do in responding to

an “opportunity”Could address just a part of it.

More in Ch 2!

Opportunity Project Goal

What makes a project “goal” clear?

Above: Clearing your head to make project goals clear: Tasmanian youth air guitar before discussing dreams for their communities. From www.festivalofdreams.org/faq.php .

Opportunity Project Goal

The project landscape

GOAL

REQUIREMENTS & SOLUTION

UNCLEAR

CLEAR

CLEAR UNCLEAR

Q1

Q3Q4

Q2

Why’d they put requirements and solution on the same axis?

? !

Which quadrant?Develop automated shop scheduling software by

31.March.2006 within a cost of 3,500 hoursMove to Stark Street location by 1.June.2008 within

a cost of $75,000.Improve customer satisfaction of automated

training system by 10% by the end of Q4 FY09Develop and introduce to the marketplace a DVD-

loaded camera system by Oct. 15, 2009 within a cost of $4M

What about your projects?Activity: With a few people around you in class…Consider software projects you’ve already worked on – in

class or in jobs…

Where have their goals been uncertain?Where have their requirements and solutions been

uncertain?What quadrant would you put them in?

CotD

Complexity/Uncertainty domainRequirementsFlexibilityAdaptabilityChangeRisk

We’ll have a lot more to say about Risk on Thursday.

Complexity/Uncertainty domainTeam CohesivenessCommunicationsCustomer involvement

Comfort zoneOwnershipCustomer sign-off

Complexity/Uncertainty domainSpecification – see next slide.ChangeBusiness value

A “specification” in Wysocki is:A document “composed of requirements, functions,

and features. These array themselves in a hierarchical structure…” (pp. 27-8)

Describes what has to be done for a projectDefines the solution, at least conceptually (Fig 1-4,

p. 28).A tool to help the project manager choose the best

approach (traditional, adaptive, etc.),As certainty in the “specs” diminishes, you need to

take a more flexible approach.

Questions?