Chapter 1: Summary

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
The stages of project development:
Defining and analysing. This involves
identifying the problem required to be
solved (and whether it is solvable using
information technology). Factors such as
technical, operational, environmental,
time, financial and ethnical factors are
considered.
Designing possible solutions. This
involves generating the solution to the
problem. It usually requires the use of
application software and may require
investigating solutions in numerous
related problems. In some cases,
programming may be required.
Producing the solution. This involves
building the solution to fix the problem.
It involves applying the appropriate
application or spyware software.
Evaluating the solution. This
involves checking the results and effectiveness of the solution. In addition to this, it checks if the
solution covers all the aspects. This can be used in order to improve the solution or highlight such areas
in the solution that requires such.
Features of Project Development
Each stage has certain tasks to be performed before the next stage can be started. In builds on the
decisions made in previous stages. In the development stage there is often a sufficient reason to repeat
certain stages.
Each stage is not completely separate from the other stages. The constant swapping between two
stages in the process is often commonly done by people developing a solution.
The extent of each stage depends on the complexity of the tasks required to reach the necessary
solution to the problem. The size of the overall project also has effect on the size and amount of stages.
Larger projects require more stages but smaller projects can be simplified and easily completed.








Project Management
Key features of project management include:
A project plan can be used to determine the time, persons, procedure of the required tasks. It also
can be used to outline the resources needed to complete the project. Different tasks are assigned
to each member of the group according to talents and requirements of the project.
A Gantt Chart provides time management for the project. It determines whether the project will
reach the required date set at the beginning of the project.
File Management is an important but often neglected part of project planning. An efficient file
structure and naming system will save time. Backing up of data in order to stop the loss of data is
crucial throughout a project.
Resources are the tools required to complete the tasks of the specified project. Effective project
management will determine the types of resources needed. Doing this at the start of a project will
help reduce the amount of resources needed especially finances and time. Some resources include:
Group Members
Hardware
Software
Consumables
(paper, ink, cartridges and CDs)
Internet and network access
Data
Finances
Time
Communication Techniques
Verbal Communication. This is use of the spoken word. It involves not only the words themselves
but tone and dynamics (loudness/softness) of the voice. Effective verbal communication skills allow
you to inform, persuade and motivate others in the relevant situations.
Written Communication. This is the use of creating something that can be read. Such examples
include:
Letters
Poems
Newspaper Articles
Text on a website
Manual
In a written document the style, tone and diction (word choice) is critical to effectively persuade,
motivate and communicate to the reader.
Graphical Communication. This involves the use of graphics and visuals in order to communicate to,
persuade or motivate others. This form of communication is becoming more predominant in
todays society. The use of graphics and visuals are said to be worth 1000 words. Such examples
include:
Newspaper Images
Magazines
Television
CDs
Billboards
the Internet
Advertisements

Collaboration
Collaboration is the process of working with another person. Most people in the workforce are required to
work in such groups.
Key factors:
Roles and responsibilities are determined by the type of project and skills of each group member.
Effective collaboration strategies make possible
Effective communication strategies
Positive attitude. This involves valuing every contribution made.
Active listening. This involves restarting, reflecting and summarising the major ideas raised by a
person and also understanding and appreciating other peoples point of view.
Conflict resolution. This involves the solving of arguments and disputes by listening to other
peoples point of view.
Negotiation skills. This involves discussing a problem and arriving at a solution
Group building. This involves getting a group of people to work together.
DEFINING THE PROBLEM
The following must be established:
problem statement a clear definition of the problem, which may involve breaking the problem
into smaller tasks or investigating the key elements to the problem
aims and objectives identifying what is to be achieved by the solution
Methods of Collecting
Data needs to be checked for accuracy and reliability:
Interview A face to face meeting where specific questions are gathered to determine the opinion
of the interviewee.
Survey (or questionnaires) A series of questions to gather specific information, some of these
occur in the form of an interview.
Printed text Printed text includes magazines, newspaper articles, reports, books and journals.
The Internet The Internet has a variety of resources including:
Information
Graphics
Animation
Video
Audio
Software
Factors effecting the solution
Technical. This factor determines the necessary technological requirements required to complete
the project.
Operational. This factor determines whether the solution will fit into the current operations of the
organisation.
Schedule. This factor determines if there is sufficient time to complete the project.
Financial. This factor determines whether this adequate funding to complete the project
Ethical. This factor determines if the solution is ethically responsible and reaches standards in the
community.

DESIGNING POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
1. Develop possible solutions that could solve the problem
2. Deciding on the appropriate solution
Design Techniques
Concept mapping. This is a technique for representing knowledge using diagrams.

Brainstorming. This technique generating ideas to solve the problem.
Observation. This technique involves watching someone or something in order to develop skills.
Research. This technique involves investigation into a subject to gain knowledge and understanding.
The accuracy and reliability of the source needs to be tested.
Prototypes. These are working models of the solution
IPO tables (Input-process-output table). This technique used to describe the solution. It specifies
the requirements needed the processes and tasks that need to be performed and also the final
output.

Storyboarding. This technique involves a series of sketches which outline the process.
Feasibility Report
Deciding on the most appropriate solution, feasibility study analyses each of the solutions and decides also
based on constraints and recommending. It contains:
Title page
Contents
Problem Statement
Aim of the solution
Summary of the investigation
Possible Solutions
Recommendation
Project Plan
Appendix
Specifications
Specifications are a detailed description of the solution.
External specifications. These outline the appearance of the solution.
Internal specifications. These outline the hardware and software required to reach the solution.
PRODUCING THE SOLUTION
Application Software
Application software is software designed for a specific purpose:
Word processing software
Desktop publishing
Spread-sheets
Database management system (DBMS)
Paint programs
Draw programs
Web browsers
Video editing software
Animation software (Flash etc.)
Presentation software (PowerPoint etc.)
Authoring software
Importing and exporting
Importing is the action taken to receive data produced by another program. Exporting is the action taken
to send data to another program.
Testing
Testing ensures the solution is working correctly:
Hardware testing. Diagnostic software is used to test whether the processer is operating efficiently.
Peripheral devices are tested to ensure that they are also working.
Software testing. The data is tested to identify and eliminate any potential problems while the
software is being used.
Documentation
Documentation is a written description to explain the development and operation of the solution. It may
explain how the solution is to be used or the steps required, in building the solution.
EVALUATING THE SOLUTION
Evaluating the solution involves checking all aspects and making sure it covers all aspects of the initial
problem as well as any subsequent problems that arise during the process. Evaluation is an on-going
process throughout the project. A constant process of developing, analysing and evaluating improves
efficiency of organisations.

Evaluation Criteria
These are criteria used to make judgements on whether the solution is working:
Functionality. This is whether the solution works or not.
Quality of information. This tests if the quality of the solution is adequate enough. Some factors
include:
Accuracy whether the solution is correct or not
Relevance whether it is appropriate to the requirements of the problem
Timeliness whether the age of the information is appropriate to the task.
Integrity whether the solution is complete or lacks necessary information.
Ethical information. This checks that the solution does not break copyright laws, invade privacy or
contain offensive material. The solution also needs to be free of any bias.
Environment of the solution. This checks that whether the solution is affected by outside factors
and whether the solution is friendly to the environment.
Presentation of the information. This checks that information is presented in the correct format, so
that it can be understood. It also checks the effectiveness of the presentation of the solution.
Methods of Evaluation
Testing. This involves checking every part of the solution.
Inspection. This involves using an expert to complete an examination of the solution.
Inquiry. This involves gathering information from users of the solution.

CHAPTER REVIEW A
1. B This stage (Designing possible solutions) focuses mainly on generating different solutions.
2. A The project plan is the key in the stage of defining and analysing the problem.
3. D It is not up for team members to judge each others skills and talents.
4. D As the answer suggests, this requires the information technology requirements.
5. B A storyboard is a series of frames or sketches representing the screen image.
6. A The solution of similar problems can help investigate possible solutions to the current problem.
7. D The solution is produced using application software.
8. A Desktop publishing such as Microsoft Publisher provides greater control in the layout of text and
graphics.
9. A Testing is a method of evaluation not a criteria.
10. A Checking the solution is the key process in evaluating the solution.
CHAPTER REVIEW C
1. Resources are an important factor in planning a project. What are resources? When they should be
identified?
Resources are the tools needed to complete a project such as information collected, money and time. They
should be identified early in the project solving process in order to save money, time and other resources.
3. Explain the difference between the first and second stage in developing a solution.
In the first stage you define the problem and collect data in order to assist the solving of the problem. In the
second stage, the solution is actually developed.
5. Why is it important to gain some knowledge and skills on different types of applications?
It is important to gain knowledge and skills on different types of applications as you will not know when in
the project development process, when you will require certain application software to solve the problem.
6. Briefly outline 5 commonly used evaluation criteria.
These criteria are:
Functionality, whether the solution works.
Quality of information, whether the solution is adequate enough.
Ethical standards, whether the solution meets ethical standards.
Environment of the solution, whether the solution is affected by outside factors.
Presentation, whether the solution is presented in the correct format.