IT systems planning and acquisition SLP
Assignment:
Although it generally is not optimal to start a project by selecting your tools (beware the Law of the Hammer!), in this case we will begin by evaluating some possible information-processing tools that are used to assist in project planning. Such software assistance is not required, but due to its widespread availability and utility in even relatively small and simple projects, its use has become almost universal (I have used these tools for household projects such as repainting and rebuilding my deck.) Thus, it will pay you, when you leave the program, to have at least a nodding familiarity with how these tools work.
We want to begin by evaluating four of the more accessible such tools. All of these operate on the Internet (“in the cloud”), and all have free options that will be quite adequate for evaluation purposes. However, their use can get fairly complicated, so we’re going to divide up the evaluation task among the class members as follows:
If your last name begins with KAA to MZZ, you are to evaluate: (My Last name is LOCKHART)
Projectdesk (http://www.projectdesk.net/) Free account option
The following task is to try out the assigned software. This may entail signing up and/or opening an account (see the note above regarding privacy protections), or it may just entail playing around with the system a bit. When you believe you have a reasonably good basis for evaluation of the program, you should write your general assessment, attending to the following issues:
• summary description of the program, its structure, and purpose
• its overall “look and feel” and apparent target audience
• what the program does and does not give you
• your assessment of such things as:
o its usability
o its relative advantage
o potential applicability to planning an implementation project
o utility and relevance to this course
• any other things about the program that you find salient and worth noting to others
• your bottom-line evaluation of its value to you
Please be ensure that you are honest and direct;. If you don’t find it helpful, say so and why, and try to explain what you would find more useful in its place.
Grading and Expectations:
Your paper will be evaluated on the following criteria:
• Conducted evaluation and analysis as required
• Precision: the questions asked are answered.
• Clarity: Your answers are clear and show your good understanding of the topic.
• Breadth and Depth: The scope covered in your paper is directly related to the questions of the assignment and the learning objectives of the module.
• Critical thinking: Incorporate YOUR reactions, examples, and applications of the material to business that illustrate your reflective judgment and good understanding of the concepts.
• Your paper is well written and the references are properly cited and listed