Managing IT Projects

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Learn How To:

• Define the role of the IT project manager
• Develop a results-driven project management team
• Identify, interpret and manage the real project requirements
• Develop a focused project plan to manage IT projects
• Estimate IT project costs and schedules using proven techniques
• Find solutions to problems specifically related to IT projects

Course Synopsis

Today’s IT projects present unique challenges to the project manager requiring coordination with many stakeholders and integration of various technological capabilities. In this course, you will discover critical success factors and hidden risks inherent in IT projects and you will leave with an understanding of strategies and techniques developed in the field by experienced IT project managers for successfully managing IT projects.

"IT" means different things to different people. This course addresses all areas of IT project management: hardware, software, systems integration, communications and human resources. It addresses the role of the project manager and the project team at each phase of the project life cycle - helping you to gain the foundation, basic experience, techniques and tools to manage each stage of your project.

You will learn techniques to determine customer requirements, set goals tied directly to stakeholder needs, get the most from your project management team and utilize project management tools to get work done on time and within budget.

By extending traditional project management concepts into the IT arena, you will gain an understanding of the strategies and skills necessary to manage IT projects of any size. You will also take home powerful tools to enhance your IT project management capabilities, as well as written text in your course binder explaining the concepts in each unit for reference when you return to the workplace. In addition, you will receive Project Management Terms: A Working Glossary, by J. Leroy Ward, PMP.

Importantly, you will learn IT project management skills through hands-on exercises, interactive case studies and relevant discussions with your peers and an experienced IT project management instructor. This approach allows you to practice new skills and ask questions as you assimilate a broad array of practical experience that can immediately be applied when you return to the workplace.

Course Topics

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1. Overview of IT Project Management
   1. Definition and characteristics of IT project management
   2. Common reasons why IT projects fail
   3. Critical factors for IT project success
   4. The IT project life cycle and the activities of each life cycle phase
   5. Project processes common to all projects
2. Concept Phase
   1. Selecting and funding IT projects
   2. Identify key project stakeholders
   3. Describe the purpose and content of a IT business case
   4. Prepare a project charter
3. Requirements Phase
   1. Identify and articulate customer requirements
   2. Distinguish between functional and technical requirements
   3. Use different methods for gathering requirements
   4. Develop a requirements traceability methodology
4. Planning Phase
   1. Identify the key components of the project plan and the planning process
   2. Construct a work breakdown structure showing all work components
   3. Build a project schedule
   4. Estimate duration, resources, and costs
   5. Describe risk management planning and risk response planning
   6. Describe subsidiary management plans including communications, procurement and quality
5. Design Phase
   1. Describe the major activities of the preliminary and detailed design activities
   2. Identify typical content of the technical specification document
   3. Identify some design techniques use in developing the technical solution
   4. Describe make or buy decision methodology
6. Construction Phase
   1. Develop a project team to build and deliver the product
   2. Describe quality assurance activities, testing and audits
   3. Assess project performance
   4. Develop and use a change request methodology
   5. Develop risk response strategies
7. Delivery Phase
   1. Describe the key activities of the delivery phase
   2. Describe four major product/system conversion strategies
   3. Understand the "go-live" transition responsibilities of the project manager
   4. Develop scope verification and customer acceptance strategies