IS Project Identification and Selection
“During the first phase of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) planning, two primary activities are performed. The first, project identification and selection, focuses on the activities during which the need for a new or enhanced system is recognized. This activity does not deal with a specific project but rather identifies the portfolio of projects to be undertaken by the organization. Thus, project identification and selection is often thought of as a “preproject” step in the life cycle. This recognition of potential projects may come as part of a larger planning process, information systems planning, or from requests from managers and business units. Regardless of how a project is identified and selected, the next step is to conduct a more detailed assessment during project initiating and planning. This assessment does not focus on how the proposed system will operate but rather on understanding the scope of a proposed project and its feasibility of completion given the available resources. It is crucial that organizations understand whether resources should be devoted to a project; otherwise, very expensive mistakes can be made. Thus, the focus of this unit is on this process. Project initiation and planning is where projects are accepted for development, rejected, or redirected.”
Valacich, J. S., & George, J. F. (2017). Modern systems analysis and design (8th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Activities
- Read:
- Chapter 5, Modern Systems Analysis and Design
- CISA Review Manual Sections
- 3.5.2 Description of Traditional SDLC Phases, Phase-1 Feasibility Study
- Participate in this week’s class and online discussions
- Complete written assignment 3.1 (WA-3.1)
- Complete practical assignment 3.1 (PA-3.1)
Objectives
- describe the steps involved in the project initiation and planning process,
- list and describe various methods for assessing project feasibility,
- describe the activities needed to build and review the baseline project plan, and
- describe the activities and participant roles within a structured walk-through.
Topics
- Initiating and Planning Systems Development Projects
- The Process of Initiating and Planning IS Development Projects
- Assessing Project Feasibility
- Assessing and Reviewing the Baseline Project Plan
CISA Topics
- Business Case Development and Approval
- Benefits Realization Techniques