Information Systems Project Management

View IS project management as an art as well as a science. . . . There are a number of books out there on project management. What is different and specific about this book? There is a balance between socio-cultural and technical aspects and there is a balance between qualitative and quantitative aspects – project management is seen as both an art and a science. It provides an information systems orientation for project management: neither information technology oriented on the one side nor production and operations oriented on the other, but of application to both within an organizational-wide view. It stresses information systems as a whole, not just software development – no project is successful if only software aspects are considered. It gives a truly international view of the domain – examples and experiences from different parts of the world add richness as well as context to the material. Globalization has ensured that most projects take on an international dimension. The book provides a coherent explanation of the concerns of the project manager as the project develops through the project life cycle – it does not follow a 'kitchen sink approach'. Each chapter has the following consistent structure: introduction and outline, an exhibit, the main text with examples, chapter summary, exercises, discussion questions, interview with project manager and appendix – this structure provides coherence and consistency. The exhibit, interview and appendix contain real-world examples, experiences, case studies, discussion material, software descriptions and professional codes – these provide material for class discussion and group work. The material has been used on our courses in the United States, Europe and Australia, given to practitioners as well as students (both undergraduate and postgraduate) – it has been well tested as part of our own project managemenThe material in this text has been proven successful through repeated use in courses in the United States, Europe, and Australia, by practitioners as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students. Intended Audience This core text is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses such as Management Information Systems, Computer Information Systems, Information Systems, and Decision and Information Systems in the departments of information systems, information technology, and business.

Table of Contents:
1. Introducing Information Systems Project Management What is an information system? What is project management? Why ‘information systems’ project management? Project management in modern organizations Principles, techniques and tools Information systems project life cycle Stakeholders Project management and ethics Text content and objectives Interview with a project manager Chapter summary Appendix to Chapter 1: Codes of Behavior 2. Aligning the Information Systems Project with Organizational Goals Project management portfolio Setting priorities for project management What is a strategic plan? A strategic plan and information systems project management Organizational mission, goals and objectives Planning Achieving alignment Project proposal and management support Public relations Change management Interview with a project manager Chapter summary Appendix to Chapter 2: IT Failure in Australia 3. Using an Information Systems Development Methodology What is an information systems development methodology? Structured systems analysis and design method (SSADM) Dynamic systems development method (DSDM) Software development Issues Interview with a project manager Chapter summary Appendix to Chapter 3: Do IS and IT matter? Whose side are you on? 4. Defining Project Scope Requirements definition Project scope Work breakdown structure Work breakdown structure as a management tool Work breakdown structure approach Assigning responsibility Structured walkthroughs Programs and projects Interview with a project manager Chapter summary Appendix to Chapter 4: Hendrich Electronics Incorporated 5. Estimating Project Costs and Benefits Estimating costs and benefits Project value Resource estimates Estimating software development costs Multiple estimates Phase estimating Practical considerations Group decision support systems Interview with a project manager Chapter summary Appendix to Chapter 5: Customer Relationship Management at MedicalCo 6. Managing Information Systems Project Time and Resources Time as a resource Monitoring time Project activity network Critical path analysis Estimating activity duration Resource implications Avoiding project delay Interview with a project manager Chapter summary Appendix to Chapter 6: An Introduction to Microsoft Project 7. Leading Information Systems Projects Trust Communication skills Planning Stress management Conflict management Essential skills and qualities of effective project managers Being a good team member Careers in project management Interview with a project manager Chapter summary Appendix to Chapter 7: NGC Natural Gas Company 8. Developing the Project Plan Purpose of a project plan Project planning process Planning and project success Practical considerations Projects in controlled environments (PRINCE) Interview with a project manager Chapter summary Appendix to Chapter 8: London Ambulance – From Failure to Success 9. Forming the Project Team Team as a core of activity Team work attitudes Team and project success Team development Team and project execution Interview with a project manager Chapter summary Appendix to Chapter 9: The Sarbanes-Oxley Act 10. Assessing Project Risk Sources of information systems project risk Identifying information systems project risks Evaluating information systems project risks Responding to project risks Implementing responses to risks Focusing on the benefits Interview with a project manager Chapter summary Appendix to Chapter 10: How to Transform a Failing Project 11. Outsourcing and Offshoring Information Systems Projects Outsourcing IS activities Offshoring IS activities Risks in offshore outsourcing activities Opportunities and challenges The management of offshore information systems projects Interview with a project manager Chapter summary Appendix to Chapter 11: Beltech Incorporated 12. Ensuring Project Quality Quality matters Quality management International quality standards Capability maturity model (CMM) Quality planning Quality control techniques Statistical quality control Interview with a project manager Chapter summary Appendix to Chapter 12: IT project management at A-Bank (Part 1) - Implementation 13. Measuring Project Success Project failure Evaluating information systems: A broader view Causes of failure Project success User satisfaction Perceived usefulness Interview with a project manager Chapter summary Appendix to Chapter 13: IT project management at A-Bank (Part 2) - Evaluation 14. Closing the Project Administrative closure Performance appraisal Information systems project audit Interview with a project manager Chapter summary Appendix to Chapter 14: Reflections on IT project management