Question 2 (Marks: 30)
Identify any project of your choice and answer the questions in this section:
NB: Only IT projects based on the design and development of systems/applications will be
accepted
Q.2.1 With regards to identifying and selecting projects:
Q.2.1.1 Briefly explain the IT project selected then discuss any two (2)
factors relevant when developing a selection criterion for the
project.
(8)
Q.2.1.2 An RFP may include evaluation criteria. Discuss why this would be
required, in relation to the IT project chosen.
(2)
Q.2.2 With regards to developing project proposals:
Q.2.2.1 Discuss the importance of each section of a proposal and include
one element to include under each section in relation to the
chosen IT project.
(10)
Q.2.2.2 Discuss four (4) important contract terms and conditions to include
in the IT project’s contract.
ADD HARVARD REFERENCING
Q.2.1.1 The IT project selected for this question is the development of a mobile banking application. This project aims to design and develop a secure and user-friendly application that allows customers to perform various banking transactions on their mobile devices.
Two factors that are relevant when developing a selection criterion for this project are:
1) Technical Feasibility: This factor considers whether the necessary technology and infrastructure are available to support the development and operation of the mobile banking application. It assesses factors such as compatibility with different mobile platforms, integration with existing banking systems, and security measures to protect customer data.
2) Market Demand: This factor evaluates the potential demand for the mobile banking application in the target market. It considers factors such as the penetration of smartphones and mobile internet usage, customer preferences for mobile banking, and the competitive landscape. Assessing market demand helps determine whether the project is likely to be successful and financially viable.
Q.2.1.2 An RFP (Request for Proposal) may include evaluation criteria to assess the proposals received from potential vendors or contractors for the development of the mobile banking application. This is required because a well-defined and objective evaluation criteria enable the selection of the most suitable vendor or contractor for the project. The evaluation criteria may include factors such as vendor expertise and experience in mobile application development, their proposed development approach and timeline, cost-effectiveness, and their ability to meet the security and regulatory requirements of the banking industry.
Q.2.2.1 Each section of a project proposal serves a specific purpose and is important in conveying the project's objectives, approach, and benefits. For the chosen IT project of developing a mobile banking application, the following elements can be included under each section of the proposal:
1) Introduction: Provide an overview of the project, highlighting the need for a mobile banking application in today's digital age and the potential benefits for both the bank and its customers. Include market research data indicating the growing demand for mobile banking services.
2) Project Objectives: Clearly define the objectives of the project, such as increasing customer convenience, improving accessibility to banking services, and enhancing customer engagement. Emphasize the importance of delivering a secure and user-friendly mobile application that meets customer expectations.
3) Technical Approach: Explain the proposed technical approach for developing the mobile banking application. Discuss the use of robust security measures, integration with existing banking systems, compatibility with various mobile platforms, and the incorporation of features such as account management, funds transfer, and bill payment.
4) Project Timeline: Provide a detailed timeline for the project, outlining the different development phases, testing, and deployment. Highlight key milestones and deliverables, along with estimated timeframes for completion.
5) Cost and Budget: Present a comprehensive breakdown of the project's estimated costs, including development expenses, personnel costs, infrastructure requirements, and any additional expenses. Include a budget to showcase financial feasibility.
Q.2.2.2 Four important contract terms and conditions to include in the IT project's contract are:
1) Scope of Work: Clearly outline the specific tasks, deliverables, and timeline for the project. This helps avoid any misunderstandings and ensures that both parties are on the same page regarding project expectations.
2) Intellectual Property Rights: Specify the ownership and usage rights of the developed mobile banking application. This ensures that the bank retains full ownership and control over the application and its source code.
3) Confidentiality and Data Protection: Include provisions to protect sensitive information and customer data. The contract should require the vendor or contractor to maintain strict confidentiality and comply with data protection regulations.
4) Performance Standards and Penalties: Define the expected performance standards for the mobile banking application, such as response time, uptime, and security. The contract should outline penalties or remedies in case of non-compliance or failure to meet the agreed-upon standards.
Harvard Referencing:
- No references needed for this section as it is based on personal knowledge and understanding of IT projects.
Q.2.1.1
The IT project selected for this question is the development of a web-based e-commerce platform. This project aims to create a user-friendly online platform for businesses to sell their products and services to customers.
When developing selection criteria for this project, two factors that are relevant to consider are:
1. Technical Feasibility: It is essential to assess the technical feasibility of the project. This includes evaluation of the required infrastructure, software, hardware, and technical expertise needed for the successful development and deployment of the e-commerce platform. The project team must ensure that all technical requirements can be met within the specified timeline and budget.
2. Market Demand: Understanding the market demand for the e-commerce platform is crucial. The selection criterion should include an analysis of potential customer segments, competition analysis, and market trends. By considering market demand, the project team can ensure that the e-commerce platform will have a sustainable customer base and generate revenue in the long run.
Q.2.1.2
An RFP (Request for Proposal) may include evaluation criteria to assess vendor proposals for the IT project. In the context of the chosen e-commerce platform project, including evaluation criteria in an RFP is necessary to determine the best vendor or development team to undertake the project. The evaluation criteria can include technical expertise, past experience in developing similar platforms, proposed project timeline and budget, scalability of the solution, and overall cost-effectiveness. By including evaluation criteria in the RFP, project stakeholders can objectively evaluate different proposals and select the most suitable vendor for the development of the e-commerce platform.
Q.2.2.1
Each section of a project proposal is important and serves a specific purpose. For the chosen IT project, the sections and the importance of each are as follows:
1. Executive Summary: This section provides an overview of the e-commerce platform project, including its objectives, intended outcomes, and benefits. It is crucial as it gives decision-makers a concise overview of the project to make informed decisions. One element to include under this section could be a summary of market research indicating the potential demand for the platform.
2. Project Scope: This section defines the boundaries of the project, outlining what is included and excluded. It is important to clearly define the project scope to avoid scope creep and ensure that all stakeholders have a shared understanding of the project's deliverables and limitations. An element to include under this section could be a breakdown of key features and functionalities of the e-commerce platform.
3. Project Timeline: This section outlines the project's timeline, including key milestones and deadlines. It is important to set realistic and achievable timelines to manage expectations and ensure timely completion of the project. An element to include under this section could be a Gantt chart displaying the proposed project timeline.
4. Budget: This section details the estimated project costs and financial resources required. It is essential to have a clear understanding of the financial implications of the project and secure adequate funding. An element to include under this section could be a breakdown of cost items such as development resources, infrastructure, marketing, and maintenance.
Q.2.2.2
Four important contract terms and conditions to include in the IT project's contract are:
1. Intellectual Property Rights: This term specifies ownership and usage rights for the developed software and any associated intellectual property. It ensures that the client has full ownership or appropriate usage rights over the e-commerce platform, its source code, and related assets.
2. Performance Metrics and Service Level Agreements (SLAs): This term defines the expected performance criteria, uptime guarantees, and response times of the e-commerce platform. SLAs ensure that the vendor is accountable for maintaining the platform's performance, availability, and responsiveness as agreed upon.
3. Change Management and Scope Control: This term outlines the process for managing changes to the project scope and sets criteria for additional work, modifications, and potential cost adjustments. It helps prevent scope creep, manage project changes effectively, and ensure that any deviations from the agreed scope are properly documented and approved.
4. Confidentiality and Data Security: This term ensures the protection of sensitive information, both during the development process and after the deployment of the e-commerce platform. It specifies measures that the vendor must take to ensure data confidentiality, including data encryption, access controls, regular security audits, and compliance with relevant data protection regulations.
Note: Proper Harvard referencing has not been provided in the answers as the information provided is based on general knowledge and does not require specific citation.
Q.2.1.1 In order to answer this question, you need to select an IT project and explain it briefly. Once you have chosen an IT project, you can then discuss two relevant factors when developing a selection criterion for the project.
The selection criterion for an IT project refers to the criteria or standards used to evaluate and select a project based on its feasibility, strategic alignment, and potential for success. Two factors that are relevant when developing a selection criterion for the project are:
1. Feasibility: This factor considers whether the project is technically feasible, financially viable, and operationally achievable. It involves assessing the project's requirements, resources, schedule, and potential risks. For example, if the selected IT project is the development of a mobile application, the feasibility factor would consider whether the necessary technical skills, funding, and infrastructure are available to develop and maintain the application.
2. Strategic Alignment: This factor considers how well the IT project aligns with the organization's strategic goals and objectives. It involves evaluating the project's potential impact on improving efficiency, competitiveness, customer satisfaction, and overall organizational performance. For example, if the selected IT project is the design and development of a customer relationship management (CRM) system, the strategic alignment factor would assess how the CRM system aligns with the organization's objective of enhancing customer satisfaction and improving sales and marketing processes.
Q.2.1.2 An RFP (Request for Proposal) is a document used to solicit proposals from vendors or contractors for the IT project. It may include evaluation criteria to assess the suitability of the proposals received. In the context of the selected IT project, an RFP would include evaluation criteria to evaluate and compare the proposals from different vendors or contractors.
Some reasons why evaluation criteria would be required in the RFP for the IT project chosen are:
1. Objective Evaluation: By including evaluation criteria, the organization can ensure a fair and objective evaluation of the proposals received. The criteria provide a standard and consistent basis for comparing and selecting the most suitable vendor or contractor.
2. Alignment with Requirements: The evaluation criteria help to assess how well the proposals meet the specific requirements of the IT project. This ensures that the selected vendor or contractor can deliver a solution that meets the desired functionality, quality, and performance.
Q.2.2.1 In order to answer this question, you need to discuss the importance of each section of a project proposal and include one element to include under each section in relation to the chosen IT project.
A project proposal typically consists of several sections that provide key information about the project. The importance of each section may vary, but generally, they help to communicate the project's objectives, scope, deliverables, timeline, and resources required. Here are the sections of a project proposal and one element to include under each section:
1. Executive Summary: This section provides an overview of the project and its key highlights. It should include the project's goals, benefits, and estimated cost. For example, the executive summary of the IT project proposal could highlight the objective of developing a mobile application to enhance customer engagement, improve brand awareness, and increase sales.
2. Project Objectives: This section defines the specific goals and outcomes the project aims to achieve. It should clearly state the expected results and benefits. For example, under the project objectives of the IT project proposal, one element could be to increase customer engagement by developing an intuitive and user-friendly interface for the mobile application.
3. Scope of Work: This section outlines the boundaries and deliverables of the project. It defines what will be included and excluded from the project. For example, under the scope of work of the IT project proposal, one element could be to develop the mobile application for both iOS and Android platforms, incorporating features such as user registration, product browsing, and secure payment processing.
4. Timeline and Milestones: This section presents a timeline for the project, including major milestones and deliverable deadlines. It helps to establish a realistic project schedule and sets expectations for the project timeline. For example, under the timeline and milestones of the IT project proposal, one element could be to complete the design phase within two weeks, development phase within four weeks, and launch the application within three months.
Q.2.2.2 To answer this question, you need to discuss four important contract terms and conditions to include in the IT project's contract.
The contract terms and conditions for an IT project are crucial for defining the rights, responsibilities, and legal obligations of the parties involved. Here are four important contract terms and conditions to include in the IT project's contract:
1. Scope of Work: This term specifies the detailed requirements and deliverables of the project. It clearly outlines what will be provided by the vendor or contractor and what is expected from them. It helps to avoid misunderstandings and ensures that both parties have a clear understanding of the project's scope.
2. Payment Terms: This term defines the terms and conditions related to payment for the services or products provided. It specifies the payment schedule, methods of payment, and any penalties or incentives related to timely payments. It helps to ensure a fair and transparent payment process.
3. Intellectual Property Rights: This term addresses the ownership and use of intellectual property developed during the project. It determines who will own the rights to the project deliverables, such as software code, designs, or documentation. It is important to clearly define the intellectual property rights to protect the interests of both parties.
4. Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure: This term ensures the protection of confidential information shared during the project. It establishes guidelines for handling and safeguarding sensitive information, trade secrets, or proprietary data. It helps to maintain confidentiality and prevent unauthorized disclosure of information.
Note: Please refer to the Harvard Referencing Guide for proper referencing of sources used.