MPM Key Assignment - Emily's Portfolio

MPM Key Assignment MPM210

CTU ONLINE

Emily Hegge

5/28/2012

The purpose of this paper is to create a project management scenario to learn how to implement the

tools and skill for project management.

MPM Key Assignment

1 Table of Contents

Phase 1 IP ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Objective ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Project’s Environment .............................................................................................................................................. 3

Team ............................................................................................................................................................................ 3

Interpersonal Skills .................................................................................................................................................... 4

Phase 2 IP ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Gantt Charts .............................................................................................................................................................. 5

PERT ............................................................................................................................................................................. 5

CPM .............................................................................................................................................................................. 5

WBS ............................................................................................................................................................................. 7

Phase 3 IP ....................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Project Team ............................................................................................................................................................ 13

Organizational Chart .............................................................................................................................................. 15

Phase 4 IP ....................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Phase 5 IP ....................................................................................................................................................................... 18

Reference ....................................................................................................................................................................... 20

MPM Key Assignment

2 Phase 1 IP

Objective

The objective of this project is to create an online store front for the large corporation

LargeMart. LargeMarts motto is “We have what you need and help you save too.” The

purpose of this site is to create an online front to reach a larger audience as well as provide

products that are not available in all stores. The site should be easily navigable for customers.

The site should look professional and clean. Products need to be displayed neatly. Products

also need to be searchable. (Grunwald, T. 1999, Web Publishing Guide) Because products

need to be searchable this site will be a database driven site. Pages needed include: Home,

Products, Store Locator, Customer Service, FAQ’s, Global Responsibility, Investors, and

Careers. Home page should have displays of specials and sales preferably in a flash

presentation. Products page should be grouped by product types with sub categories for

example women’s clothes (women’s shirts, women’s blouses, women’s skirts, and women’s

jeans), men’s clothes (men’s jackets, men’s ties, and men’s suits). Store locator allows

customers to find a store nearest to them. Customer Service allows customers to contact a

service representative for assistance with products orders or problems on the site. FAQ’s

contains a list of frequently asked questions and answers. Global Responsibility covers all that

the good things that the company does around the world like recycling waste or donating to the

needy. The investor’s page shows the current stock for LargeMart as well as how to become an

investor with the company. Careers allows visitors to see what opportunities are available, the

benefits they would receive, and allows for them to apply for a position online. The goal is to

have the site created and live within a month time.

MPM Key Assignment

3 Project’s Environment

The project will be created within the United States. The LargeMart Corporation is well

known around the globe and therefore the site in different countries adheres to different

standards. Also when working with others from another country it is important for the Project

Coordinator to take an interest in the personal lives of those he/she interacts with rather than be

strictly business as is common in the United States. For the team members of this project

lateness is unacceptable. Team members are expected to work diligently and meet time

requirements. Globally the products will differ for each country and databases should be

divided up for each country to allow for the viewing of the specified products for that country.

Additionally regions such as the Netherlands and Sweden do not allow for competitiveness

between businesses so the sites developed for there should not participate in this type of

business practice. (Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J., 2012)

Team

The team needed to create this site will include the Project Coordinator, a Database

Administrator, Network Administrator, Server Administrator, three programmers, a graphic

designer, two mobile app developers (one for the iPhone platform and one for the Android

platform), and a custom API programmer. The task of the Database Administrator, Network

Administrator, and Server Administrator is to set up and develop the database needed for the

site. They will also be responsible for inputting all the data needed for the products. The

Network Administrator will also be responsible to ensure that all the teams’ computers are

running and working together and help keep everyone online. The three programmers are

tasked with the role of writing the HTML code for site. The graphic designer is to create the

logo, design of the site (and relay it to the programmers to incorporate into the site), and the

design of any flash videos to be added (particularly on the home page). The mobile app

MPM Key Assignment

4 developers will make sure the site is available for viewing on phones. The custom API

programmer will set up the database to be accessed on the phones. The Project Coordinator

will oversee that all areas are on task and up to date with the specific tasks and help to motivate

everyone. The Project Coordinator should also have a general knowledge of what each team

member does so that they can translate what the customers need to the team as well as translate

the team’s goals to the customer.

Interpersonal Skills

The Project Coordinator must be a good listener. They must also be able to sort

through and translate the needs of the customer to the team. Also they must be able to

translate the technology terms back to the customer in a plain English sort of way that the

customer would be able to understand. The Database Administrator must also be able to sort

through the customers’ needs to create a functioning database. For example a customer may

list multiple times that they need a customer name for the billing, and shipping, etc. but the

Database Administrator needs to be able to incorporate that to all areas with only inputting the

customer name once otherwise it will mess up the database. All members of the team need to

be able to cooperate with each other to relay information on how the project is coming and

how to combine each separate area into one cohesive site. (Rapi, P., May 15, 2011)

MPM Key Assignment

5 Phase 2 IP

Gantt Charts

Gantt charts where created by Henry Gantt in 1917. Gantt charts use horizontal bars

and symbols to mark projected timeline of the project. Each tab represents a different task

needed to complete the project. It is also a good idea to mark below each bar the actual time it

is taking to complete the task so that a comparison can be made to see if the project is on

schedule. In Gantt charts there is no way to indicate relationships between tasks although some

software such as Microsoft Project has added features to allow relationships to be shown.

(Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. 2012, CTU M.U.S.E.)

PERT

PERT stands for Program Evaluation Review technique was developed in 1950 by the

US Navy. PERT uses three different ways to measure the progress of a project which are: best

case, worst case, and probable case. Additionally PERT is used most on larger projects. PERT

is useful for showing relationships between tasks in a graphical view. PERT network diagram

uses arrows to display activities and there relations. The diagram begins with a circle and then

has arrows pointing to the next circle. Each arrow is marked with a task association for

example a, b, c, d, e, and f. Arrows a, b, and c have a 1 next to them indicating they are the

start next d and e have a 3 showing to continue and f would have a 2 next to it stating it’s the

end. (Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. 2012, CTU M.U.S.E.)

CPM

Critical Path Method (CPM) was developed around the same time as PERT and is

similar to PERT but uses only one time calculation unlike PERT. CPM standards say that if

there is a delay in one area then the whole projects timeline should be pushed back. Also CPM

timelines may change a lot throughout the lifecycle of the project. Both tools use a network

MPM Key Assignment

6 diagram model to show the tasks there dependencies and the time frame. CPM and PERT can

be used interchangeably as well. CPM uses nodes instead of arrows to represent the tasks.

While CPM still contains arrows in this diagram the represent the relations and progression of

the project. Like the PERT CPM also uses 1 to indicate the start, 2 to indicate the end and 3 to

indicate continue. (Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. 2012, CTU M.U.S.E.)

Each type of scheduling tool has its advantages and disadvantages. Gantt charts have

been around the longest because they are so effective. While Gantt charts are good at showing

the scheduled time of a task and the actual progress they lack the ability to show relationships

between tasks. An advantage of CPM and PERT is that they are good for showing

relationships between tasks. Also CPM and PERT have the advantage of being

interchangeable allowing for both methods to be incorporated into the scheduling of projects

allowing for a diagram that works best for the team and project at hand. (Meredith, J. R., &

Mantel, S. J. 2012, CTU M.U.S.E.)

Gantt charts assist in monitoring and controlling the project by allowing the project

manager to see what the projects are what the time frame is for completion and how well they

are doing in the process of completion. If the team is behind schedule then the project

manager will have to do some revising to get the project back on schedule or have the end

date pushed back farther. The CPM and PERT help to keep track of what projects are, their

estimated due date, which tasks are critical, and how the tasks are related. This helps to

control the project to ensure that tasks are getting done on time, that the critical tasks have top

priority, and to be able to see which projects need to be completed before the next project in

areas where they are related to each other. (Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. 2012, CTU

M.U.S.E.)

MPM Key Assignment

7

WBS

Activity Plan

Deliverables: The objective of this project is to create an online store front for the large

corporation LargeMart.

Tasks:

Overall design: Create the overall layout of the site the color schemes and any graphics

such as logo

o Overall design

Assigned to: graphic designer

Time: two days

Resources: internet, adobe Photoshop

Predecessor task: create flash presentation

Home: Home page should have displays of specials and sales preferably in a flash

presentation.

o Home page creation

assigned to: web programmers

time: one day

resources: notepad++, web browser, web site, internet

predecessor task: products page

o Flash creation

assigned to: graphic designer

MPM Key Assignment

8 time: one day

resources: adobe flash creator, web browser, web site, internet

predecessor task: integrate flash presentation with home page

Products: Products page should be grouped by product types with sub categories for

example women’s clothes (women’s shirts, women’s blouses, women’s skirts, and

women’s jeans), men’s clothes (men’s jackets, men’s ties, and men’s suits)

o Products page creation

assigned to: programmers

time: one day


o Database Design

assigned to: Database Administrator, Network Administrator, and

Server Administrator

time: one day

resources: DbWrench

predecessor task: create database

o Database creation

assigned to: Database Administrator, Network Administrator, and Server

Administrator

time: one day

resources: MySQL

predecessor task: add content for testing

o Database testing

MPM Key Assignment

9 assigned to: Database Administrator, Network Administrator, and Server

Administrator

time: one day

resources: MySQL

predecessor task: add content

o Database content

assigned to: Database Administrator, Network Administrator, and

Server Administrator

time: one week

resources: MySQL

predecessor task: link with products page

o Database linking to products page

assigned to: Database Administrator, Network Administrator, and Server

Administrator

time: one hour

resources: MySQL, web site

Store Locator: Store locator allows customers to find a store nearest to them. Can be

created as a popup screen.

o Store locator


time: five hours


predecessor task: customer service page

MPM Key Assignment

10 Customer Service: Customer Service allows customers to contact a service

representative for assistance with products orders or problems on the site.

o Customer Service page


time: one day


predecessor task: FAQ page

FAQ’s: FAQ’s contains a list of frequently asked questions and answers.

o FAQ page


time: one day


predecessor task: Global Responsibility page

Global Responsibility: Global Responsibility covers all that the good things that the

company does around the world like recycling waste or donating to the needy.

o Global Responsibility page


time: one day


predecessor task: Investors page

Investors: The investor’s page shows the current stock for LargeMart as well as how to

become an investor with the company.

o Investors page

MPM Key Assignment

11 assigned to: programmers

time: one day


predecessor task: Careers page

Careers: Careers allows visitors to see what opportunities are available, the benefits

they would receive, and allows for them to apply for a position online.

o Careers page


time: one day


It seems to me the best approach would be to use CPM for the scheduling of this

project because there are areas that are related and one task cannot be completed

without the other one being done first. It would also show which tasks can be worked

on concurrently.

MPM Key Assignment

12

CSS

Start: 6/19/12 ID: 2

Finish: 6/20/12 Dur: 1 day

Res:

D atabase D esign

Start: 6/18/12 ID: 3


Res:

D atabase Creation

Start: 6/18/12 ID: 6


Res:

H ome Page

Start: 6/20/12 ID: 7


Res:

Products Page

Start: 6/25/12 ID: 8


Res:

Customer Service Page

Start: 6/21/12 ID: 10


Res:

FAQ Page

Start: 6/21/12 ID: 11


Res:

Investment Page

Start: 6/22/12 ID: 12


Res:

G lobal Responsibility Page

Start: 6/22/12 ID: 13


Res:

Careers Page

Start: 6/25/12 ID: 14


Res:

Test D atabase

Start: 6/19/12 ID: 15


Res:

Link D atabase to Product Page

Start: 6/29/12 ID: 17


Res:

Test All Pages

Start: 7/2/12 ID: 18


Res:

Add D ata to D atabase

Start: 6/20/12 ID: 16

Finish: 6/28/12 Dur: 7 days

Res:

Contacts Page

Start: 6/20/12 ID: 9


Res:

Overall Layout

Start: 6/18/12 ID: 1


Res:

Web Creation

Start: 6/22/12 ID: 4

Finish: 6/27/12 Dur: 4 days

Res:

Flash Creation

Start: 6/19/12 ID: 5

Finish: 6/19/12 Dur: 1 day?

Res:

MPM Key Assignment

13 Phase 3 IP

Project Team

Graphic Designer

o Overall design (create the overall layout of the site the color schemes and any

graphics such as logo), Flash creation (for home page featuring specials)

Time: two days for overall design, one day for flash creation

Resources: internet, adobe Photoshop, notepad++, web browser, web

site, adobe Flash

Skills: must know web design and what is trending in design, need to

have good artistic skills, need to know how to work with adobe

Photoshop and flash creator, must work well with others and have good

communication skills, must work well under pressure with strict

deadlines

Must work with programmers and report to Project Manager

Programmers

o Create: Home page (should have displays of specials and sales preferably in a

flash presentation, Careers page (allows visitors to see what opportunities are

available, the benefits they would receive, and allows for them to apply for a

position online), Products page (should be grouped by product types with sub

categories for example women’s clothes (women’s shirts, women’s blouses,

women’s skirts, and women’s jeans), men’s clothes (men’s jackets, men’s ties,

and men’s suits)), Store locator (allows customers to find a store nearest to

them. Can be created as a popup screen.), Customer Service page (allows

customers to contact a service representative for assistance with products orders

MPM Key Assignment

14 or problems on the site), FAQ’s page (contains a list of frequently asked

questions and answers.), Global Responsibility (covers all that the good things

that the company does around the world like recycling waste or donating to the

needy), Investor’s page (shows the current stock for LargeMart as well as how

to become an investor with the company)

time: one day per page


Skills: need to know how to create cascading style sheets (CSS), html,

JavaScript, must work well with others and have good communication

skills, must work well under pressure with strict deadlines

Must work with each other, graphic designer, Database Administrator,

Network Administrator, and Server Administrator and report to Project

Manager

Database Admin, Network Admin, Server Admin

o Database Design, Database Creation, Database testing, add content, link

database with products page

time: one day each for Database design, creation, and testing, one week

for adding content, one hour for linking database with products page

resources: DbWrench, MySQL, website

skills: need to know how database design, how to create a database

using MySQL, how to thoroughly test a database, and input data into

the database, as well as be able to integrate the database into a web sites

product page, also must work well with others and have good

MPM Key Assignment

15 communication skills, must work well under pressure with strict

deadlines, finally Network Admin and Server Admin must know how

to fix network and server problems and keep site running efficiently.

Must work with each other, programmer, and report to Project Manager

Organizational Chart

Below is an organizational chart showing the members assigned to each task what the

task is and the hierarchy of each task. At the top of the chart is the Project Manager where all

reporting goes to and any questions about understanding of the task required. After each

assignment is completed members need to show the work to the project manager to ensure that

all tasks meet the needs and requirements for the project. The first task is that of the graphic

designer creating the overall layout, theme, and design for the entire site along with the

company’s logo. At the same time the Database admin, Server admin, and Network admin can

be working on the design of the database. Once the graphic designer is done with the overall

layout the site the work is then passed to the programmers. The graphic designer will then

work on creating the flash animation for the featured products and specials on the home page.

Once the programmers receive the design from the graphic designer they will create the

external CSS which will carry all the main content of the site such as background, number of

columns per page, the logo, and navigation sites. After that the completion of the pages follows

with adding the appropriate content to each page. Each programmer will be given one page to

work on at the same time. Although the Products page cannot be completed until the database

is completed. The Database admin, Server admin, and Network admin will move on to creating

the database after the design is complete. Once the database is designed then testing will need

to be done followed by inputting of the data which is expected to take the most amount of time

MPM Key Assignment

16 because of the stores large product base. After all data is inputted the database will need to be

integrated with the products page. Finally all pages must be tested to ensure that everything is

laid out well that all links work and that animation function properly.

Project Manager

Graphic Designer

Create Layout, design, theme, and logo for site Hand

off to Programmers

Database Admin, Network Admin,

Server Admin

Create the database design

Programmers

Create CSS with layout, theme, and

design from Graphic Designer

Create Homepage Create products

page

Create contacts page create FAQ page

Create Global Responsability page

Create Customer Service Page

Create Investors page

Create Careers page

Create store locator

Check site to ensure everything works

properly

Graphic Designer

Create flash animation for display of featured products

on homepage

Database Admin, Network Admin, Server Adming

Create Database

Test Database

Add in products

Integrate with web site

Network Admin Keep eye on

network and any issues as well

MPM Key Assignment

17 Phase 4 IP

MPM Key Assignment

18 Phase 5 IP

MPM Key Assignment

19 It is important to keep tasks on schedule because one set back can delay the entire

project. For example in the project above if the graphic designer doesn’t get the overall layout

done on time the programmers won’t be able to get started on the CSS or any of the web pages

delaying them and then the database won’t be able to be connected to the products page

because the programmers are behind so that the database admin is delayed as well causing a

major setback in the final date of the finished project. Delaying of the project can also cost

money. In this case the money being lost will mostly be to the site not being online in a timely

fashion costing the business revenue.

MPM Key Assignment

20 Reference

CTU M.U.S.E. Intro to Gantt Charts, PERT, and CPM Retrieved June 4, 2012, from

http://coursebuildercontent.careeredonline.com/Assets/10000/4013.pdf

CTU M.U.S.E. Work Break Down Schedule Retrieved June 4, 2012, from

https://campus.ctuonline.edu/courses/MPM210/p2/hub2/hub.html

Grunwald, T. (1999, June 12). Web Site Planning. In techsoup. Retrieved April 18, 2012, from

http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/webbuilding/archives/page9412.cfm

Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. (2012). Project Management (Eighth ed., pp. 124-126, 338-

343, 232-237). N.p.: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Rapi, P. (May 15, 2011). Introduction to Operating Systems and Client/Server Environments

[Chat]. Retrieved from Colorado Technical University, Virtual Campus, IT140-01:

https://campus.ctuonline.edu

Web Publishing Guide. (n.d.). In Bellevue College. Retrieved April 18, 2012, from

http://bellevuecollege.edu/webpublishing/tips/plan/

Williams, M. (2007, June 13). Effective Project Management for Web Geeks. In sitepoint.

Retrieved May 28, 2012, from http://www.sitepoint.com/project-management-web-geeks/

http://coursebuildercontent.careeredonline.com/Assets/10000/4013.pdf

https://campus.ctuonline.edu/courses/MPM210/p2/hub2/hub.html

http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/webbuilding/archives/page9412.cfm

https://campus.ctuonline.edu/

http://bellevuecollege.edu/webpublishing/tips/plan/

http://www.sitepoint.com/project-management-web-geeks/

MPM Key Assignment - Emily's Portfolio

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