Assignment 2
Assignment 2
Statement of Originality
This is to certify that to the best of my knowledge; the content of this assignment is my own work.
I certify that the intellectual content of this assignment is the product of my own work and that all
the assistance received in preparing this assignment and sources have been acknowledged.
I have read the Plagiarism Policy of Unisa, and I will adhere to it during my academic studies at
Unisa. I am also aware that any copying of work and presenting it as my own work, is against the
policies of Unisa and I will not be part of it. I also undertake not to generate any parts of this
assignment using any generative AI applications.
______________
Student signature
01 August 2024
______________
Date
1. Can you identify three core principles of software project management that were
evident in the case study? And how did these principles influence decision-making
during the project?
I. Effective communication
Effective communication is essential in software project management because it
guarantees that efforts are coordinated and that all stakeholders are working toward the
same objective. Effective communication requires clarity - clearly defining roles and
responsibilities, setting realistic expectations, and being transparent about progress and
challenges, as well as taking the time to truly understand others' perspectives, concerns,
and ideas before responding, which helps to avoid misunderstandings or delays and fosters
trust among team members.
Evaluating the feasibility and potential success of a proposed IT project before its
initiation.
When determining the feasibility of an IT project, several aspects should be
considered, including the budget, timetable, technological needs, and available
resources. It is critical to undertake a comprehensive study of these aspects to
evaluate if the project can be completed successfully within the stated timeframe.
When evaluating the potential accomplishment of an IT project, it is necessary to
analyse the project's goals, objectives, and projected outcomes. Setting reasonable
and achievable goals is critical to the project's success.
Evaluating the feasibility and possible success of an IT project includes identifying and
minimising any potential risks or problems that may develop during the project's
execution. This might entail doing a risk assessment to identify potential roadblocks
and preparing a backup plan to resolve these issues.
Ensuring that the project team have the essential skills, knowledge, and experience to
effectively complete the project. Proactively addressing possible risks and problems
can considerably boost the odds of the IT project's success.
4. In the context of software project estimation, what methods or techniques would you
recommend using to estimate the time and resources required for integrating new
features into an ongoing project? How do these differ from initial project
estimations?
When evaluating the time and resources required to integrate new features into a
current project, the following techniques could be considered:
A. Top-Down Estimation
A project management strategy in which historical data or expert opinion are used to
estimate a project's overall scope and expense before dividing it down into smaller,
more particular tasks.
This method is extremely beneficial for estimating the number of resources required or
the duration of the project. Starting with this high-level perspective, you can make
better judgments regarding the project's feasibility and prepare more effectively for any
problems along the road.
B. Bottom-Up Estimation
This strategy involves dividing down the project into more manageable parts that are
smaller and calculating the time, resources, and prices for each one.
Bottom-Up Estimation produces more precise and dependable estimates since it takes
into account the specifics of each work rather than relying on general assumptions.
While this strategy may take more time at first, it eventually leads to improved planning,
budgeting, and forecasting for projects of all kinds. Furthermore, it promotes greater
openness and accountability since stakeholders can see exactly how estimates were
derived and have a better grasp of what is involved in completing the project.
C. Analogy-Based Estimation
Using previous experiences or information to make an estimate. This strategy may be
quite useful in circumstances when accurate data are not accessible or when you're
attempting to find out a ballpark estimate fast.
D. Three-Point Estimation
A tool that allows you to create more accurate forecasts by considering the best-case,
worst-case, and most likely scenarios. By combining these three separate predictions
and computing the average, you may have a better understanding of the various
outcomes and risks connected with your project timetable.
F. Expert Judgment
Tapping into the expertise of seasoned experts who have vast experience and can
share insights based on previous projects.
To provide a more realistic estimate, these specialists consider a variety of aspects
such as project scale, complexity, team dynamics, and industry trends. By utilizing their
knowledge and skills, you may avoid some of the problems and surprises that
frequently ruin software projects.
G. Parametric Estimating
This approach employs historical data and statistical analysis to estimate the amount of
time and resources required for a project. Essentially, it's considering previous projects,
similar to the current project, and to use the lessons learned that guide the
assumptions about what is required for a greater chance of success.
Employing this method allows for time and money savings by avoiding obvious costly
mistakes and unnecessary delays
5. Explain how you would plan and schedule activities to manage unexpected resource
constraints, such as a key team member taking extended leave. What steps would
you take to ensure minimal disruption to the project timeline?
6. From the case study, identify two resource allocation strategies used to address
resource gaps and meet project deadlines. How effective were these strategies, and
what improvements could be suggested for better resource management in similar
scenarios?
Resource allocation strategies used to address resource gaps and meet project
deadlines.
Unexpectedly, a key developer had to take extended leave due to personal reasons,
causing a gap in critical coding tasks.
Effectiveness of the strategy: These strategies were effective because XYZ Retail
successfully launched the mobile application within an acceptable timeframe.
Using the monitoring strategies, as described below, will allow project managers to track
project progress and will also enable for rapid modifications when faced with scope
changes, allowing you to stay on track and successful project completion.
A. Gantt Charts
Charts that visually represent project timelines, tasks, and dependencies. They are
useful tools for tracking project activities and progress, spotting bottlenecks, and
managing deadlines.
E. Milestone Tracking
Project monitoring identifies possible difficulties, dangers, or deviations from the project
plan early on, allowing for the avoidance of larger problems.
A project monitoring method aids in the optimisation of labour, money, and materials by
continually monitoring and managing how resources are assigned and utilised.
Proper project monitoring strategies guarantee that project outputs fulfil quality
requirements and aid project managers in addressing quality concerns as they develop.
Project monitoring improves project planning by allowing teams to adjust to changes in
scope or market conditions, ensuring that the project remains on track.
9. Considering the pressure for an earlier app launch, suggest strategies to maintain
the quality of deliverables while adhering to the revised timeline. How do you strike a
balance between delivering quickly and ensuring quality?