Expert answer:Assignment: Project Software, computer science hom
Answer & Explanation:Project SoftwareProject management software is a very effective and functional cool that can assist project managers in maintaining controls over the project.This week for the progressive case study (PCS) you will write a paper on how this tool can be used effectively for the project you have been working on the previous two weeks.Write a 750-1000 word, APA style paper with a analysis and summary of the capabilities of MS project. Include as an attachment in the appendix, a project schedule and work breakdown structure for your project using Microsoft Project.Include a title page and 2-3 references in your paper. Only one reference may be from the internet (not Wikipedia). The other references must be located in the Grantham University online library. Only the body of the paper will count towards the word requirement. Please see the rubric below.project_management_tools.docxproject_management_software.docx
project_management_tools.docx
project_management_software.docx
Unformatted Attachment Preview
Project Management Tools
We are quickly making progress through the class. We are
about one third of the way through. During the past couple
of weeks we have addressed the fundamentals and
foundations of project management essentials. It is
imperative that as we strive to be effective project managers
that we continue to develop the resources and the tools
necessary to carry forward the methodologies of
implementing key elements into the project. Using the right
tools as a project manager will exponentially grow your skills
in time management.
Having the right tools is invaluable to effective project
management. Having the right tools but not knowing what
they are or what to do with them is pointless and devaluing
to the tool and the process. The Project Manager that views
the PM process or the organizational process as a matter of
working through the checklist, does not have a clear reason
why the protocols are in place the way that they are. They
are working through the routine without giving thought as to
why things are done this way.
If a team was to service a nuclear reactor, there is a set
procedure for this process to achieve the desired result
without causing severe harm to those around. A Project
Manager that chooses to shortcut the system and do it “their
way” will likely either skip a step or do things in the wrong
order which may cause a damaging effect. For instance, if
the cooling rods are not serviced in a certain way, there can
be severe consequences.
If the Project Manager and their team have been servicing
the reactor for over 10 years and never had a problem, is it
possible that they may become comfortable with the process
and look for ways to shortcut the process and expedite the
servicing? It is highly probable. It is even possible that this
new way might be effective. However, it is not a good idea
to break protocol. There was a reason the procedure was
developed in the first place. It is when we get comfortable
with a procedure that we are more prone to make a
mistake.
There are project Managers that are continuing to go
through the motions because it is the way it has
always been. This works fine for making Grandma’s old
fashion bread by hand, It does not work so well when trying
to compete at new levels or speeds not previously realized.
If the PM is not looking for or developing new ways to
recreate themselves and their team, they are slipping into
obsolescence.
Using the same “project” tools that the organization
authorizes to every project may be more of an inhibitor if
the PM and his/her team does not know how to effectively
implement the tools. This is often where reviewing old
projects can make a difference. Look at what others have
done. Did they achieve the results they wanted or the client
wanted? If not can you as the PM discern where the issue is
and what it would take to correct this process, procedure, or
set of tools? If we are not learning from the past, we will be
condemned to repeat it.
The point of all this is to say if you are not sure what
the tool can do or how it improves the performance of
you or the team, why are you using it? There are PMs
that do not know how to use a tool effectively. There are
PMs that can whip out a schedule on paper, run 5 copies to
team leads and effectively run a multi-million dollar team on
the back of a series of paper napkins. They will then have an
Administrative Assistant that knows the computer and
software to enter the information into the PM system for a
nice clean report the team can use. If this is you, being
forced to use an iPad might seem counterproductive. The
reality is that the ipad will be able to assist you. At some
time adaptation will be necessary or required of you in order
to maintain a degree of technical expertise and operability.
Taking the time to learn the functionality will be a sound
investment if the right tools are installed. If they are not
then it is a matter of getting with the right people that can
put the right applications (MS Project, Visio, Adobe Creative
Cloud, and the like or the equivalents that will work best for
you and your team. If it becomes a glorified page to get
email or text, then it is serving a small fraction of the
potential capability.
This lecture is not about telling you what tools you need or
should use. You will need to determine what works for you
and what is offered. A Ticonderoga 2.0 will go a long way—
the Cascade Notepad application (Pencil and Paper method).
It is even operable in a power outage. The point being, find
the system that does work best for you as you continue to
develop new tools and resources that are specifically
beneficial to your team and yourself. If this cannot be done,
it may be time to reinvest in your team to determine their
needs and for what necessary outcomes.
A PM can assess a project for a bottleneck, only to find
out that they are the brick wall. If everyone else is on
the smartphone or tablets getting the work done but they
must wait for your response and you do not text, email, or
call, then you are now the problem not the solution. Develop
a free flow of information throughout your group. Develop
the resources before or as they are needed to improve the
results before they are required. This may seem impossible
due to budget restraints. Determine what is needed then
find a way to make it happen. This may require a solution
that goes beyond money.
Project Management Software
Project management software is a unique, dynamic tool.
You, as a PM, might have your favorite tools or applications.
This lecture is not a sales call, but an opportunity to expand
the tools in your tool box. Whether you like Microsoft, Apple,
Adobe or some other software is not the point. The point is
software can be a beneficial tool for you to use when
managing a project. Whether you want to use MS Project
or some other tool is not for us as the university to decide,
this choice is up to you, except for any project in class
requiring it. (Check with instructor if other alternatives can
be accepted). Find the tool or resource that will best meet
your needs whether for a project or as a model.
There are many different project management
software tool options available. Often Microsoft Project
is the preferred option. A leading reason for this is that it
can be a supplemental part of the Microsoft Office
Suite. The company makes it readily available through an
online option such as white 365 or Lync. The point here is
to find a software that can greatly assist you in managing a
project budget, schedule, calendar, personnel records,
notes, document management, etc. There are several
excellent tools out there that can provide the options you
need in project management.
What to Look for in Project Management
Software
As was stated in the previous lecture, there are effective
project managers that run multimillion dollar
operations using a pencil and legal pad. This practice
has been successfully done for decades. For those who are
techno-phobic, it can be a better use of resources to hire an
administrator or personal assistant to handle all the
technology based applications in order to free up the project
manager to do what they do best. As in any operation,
there are best practices for getting the greatest results.
Would you rather be a project manager who is
technologically sound but poor in people skills or
planning? Would you rather have a project manager that
can effectively communicate and develop resources and
networks for creating a more efficient operation but is not
technically adept in computer technologies? The honest
answer is it would depend on the situation and
environment. We cannot always have the best of both
worlds. An effective project manager is able to distinguish
the tools necessary, including human capital, in order to
achieve the greatest outcomes for the project.
Project management software often provides an
excellent database and visual representation for
managing information and communicating. The data
features allow multiple variables to be entered into the
software allowing for information management and
storage. Retrieval can be run through several different
functions that are part of the application. Data can be
presented in several different formats such as tables,
graphs, or charts. A readout report may not be the easiest
way to translate information. The project manager or team
member can pull this information and develop a report that
can easily be understood at all levels using multiple levels of
presentation including verbal and visual.
The project software when run through different peripherals
with mobile or hardwired devices which will allow team
members to enter data into the correct format into a
common application and database for more collective and
comprehensive approach to project management. This may
seem like a commonplace purpose. When a project entails
using several different applications and computer languages,
taking into account any cultural or organizational
differences, communication can quickly become
dysfunctional. The project applications allow for a more
universal common language within the project.
Project software that allows for scheduling and
calendar entries also provides valuable
assets. Meetings can be scheduled, shifted, and detailed
through the software. Invites and agendas can be sent or
posted through the application. This is actually one reason
why Microsoft Project can be very successful as it links into
the Microsoft office suite using other applications such as
Outlook for e-mail.
The project software can also provide scheduling updates
resource development and allocation assignments,
objectives, member assignments, and more. The purpose
of software ideally is to allow the suite of services to
allow the project to run smoothly. There are many tools
in most project management applications. Developing a
process for how to use the applications effectively across the
team and stakeholders (if necessary) is valuable in
measuring progress, responsibilities, ongoing assessment,
and communication.
There are many different tools out there. You may have a
favorite. Your organization may have an investment in a
particular software product. You may like all the Microsoft
products or Apple. It is not the goal of this lecture to
convince you one way or the other. Find the system that
will work best for you providing the greatest possible
outcomes with the resources available to you and your
organization.
Project Management Software
Below are some links to different project management
software web sites. These links were tested August 2013.
• quickbase.intuit.com
• www.workzone.com/
• http://www.microsoft.com/project/en-us/try.aspx
…
Purchase answer to see full
attachment
How it works
- Paste your instructions in the instructions box. You can also attach an instructions file
- Select the writer category, deadline, education level and review the instructions
- Make a payment for the order to be assignment to a writer
- Download the paper after the writer uploads it
Will the writer plagiarize my essay?
You will get a plagiarism-free paper and you can get an originality report upon request.
Is this service safe?
All the personal information is confidential and we have 100% safe payment methods. We also guarantee good grades