Integrated Action Learning Project Plan
Development of an Internal Web Site for Project Tracking, Hardware Validation, Circuit Corporation
Wesley Paik
TS4990 Integrated Action Learning Project
Instructor, Dr. Sharon Bender
Winter 2006
My project would be to design and develop an internal web site for the group that I work with that can be used as a central location in regard to the status of the projects that we are working on.
Currently, we encounter many issues throughout the course of a project. The status and information in regards to these issues can be constantly changing which at times can cause confusion and delay.
In addition to having a central location for issues, the web site will also display status reports and high level information in regards to the projects at hand.
I am interested in this project because I currently spend a great deal of time preparing status reports which are then emailed to various individuals as needed. In addition, I find that I am constantly having hallway conversations in attempt to bring the teams up to speed.
The web site will be based upon requirements from the stakeholders. I would consolidate the requirements to build an easy to navigate web presence.
The stakeholder involved in this project is my direct manager M. Patel and my team. Additional stakeholders are other teams that have a direct interest in the project.
Feasibility
In performing a feasibility check, I examined the following areas:
1. Level of need- There is a definite need for better communication in regards to project status. There is a definite need for a central location to find information.
2. Requirements- Commitment, and ease of navigation, is the major requirements.
3. Budget- Web server, software, and file space are all available with no need for any additional expenditure.
4. Constraints- Scheduling of time for discussions between stakeholders and myself, as well as actual time needed to be spent on the project.
The following prototype depicts my project:
In producing my project my major objectives are to:
1. Create a no nonsense web site that offers ease of navigation.
2. Improve communication of my team.
3. Provide a web site that is easy to maintain and update
In producing my project my learning objectives are to:
1. Develop and understand the planning process of the project.
2. Develop and understand the requirements and constraints of the project
3. Enhance my communication skills during requirements gathering and web expression.
The following schedule would guide the production of my project:
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Tasks |
Duration |
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Research Phase |
2/6/06 – 2/12/06 |
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Task 1: Review similar project tracking web sites Task 2: Research how to host the site Task 3: Research site design |
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Assisting Resources:
Literature
Bender, S. L. (2003). Producing the Capstone Project.
Internet
Web Design
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol142/website2.htm http://www.warddesignsolutions.com/internetarticles/developawebsite.htm
Project Tracking Web Sites
http://www.conciliocreative.com/coin84/project_tracking.html
People
M. Patel Team Member 1 Team Member 2
Equipment
Computer Workstation with Internet Access File/Web Server Access
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Analysis Phase |
2/13/06 – 2/19/06 |
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Task 1: Gather site requirements Task 2: Consider how site will be designed, organized Task 3: Analyze different approaches for hosting |
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Assisting Resources:
Literature
Bender, S. L. (2003). Producing the Capstone Project.
Internet
Web Design
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol142/website2.htm http://www.warddesignsolutions.com/internetarticles/developawebsite.htm
People
M. Patel Team Member 1 Team Member 2
Equipment
Computer Workstation with Internet Access File/Web Server Access
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Documentation Phase |
2/20/06 – 2/26/06 |
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Task 1: Publish site requirements Task 2: Publish site layout plans Task 3: Gather initial raw data to be used for site |
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Assisting Resources:
People
M. Patel Team Member 1 Team Member 2
Equipment
Computer Workstation with Internet Access File/Web Server Access
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Testing Phase |
2/27/06 – 3/5/05 |
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Task 1: Provide prototype site Task 2: Feedback on look, feel, and usability Task 3: Compare and check requirements Task 4: Revise and Finalize design based on feedback |
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Assisting Resources:
People
M. Patel Team Member 1 Team Member 2
Equipment
Computer Workstation with Internet Access File/Web Server Access
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Implementation Phase |
3/6/06 – 3/12/06 |
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Task 1: Release final web site Task 2: Administer and Maintain web site, provide training as necessary Task 3: Seek feedback from the Stakeholder. |
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Assisting Resources:
People
M. Patel Team Member 1 Team Member 2
Equipment
Computer Workstation with Internet Access File/Web Server Access
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In producing my project I performed the following risk assessment:
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Risk Factor Checklist |
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Risk Considerations |
Low Risk |
Medium Risk |
High Risk |
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Server Hosting Reliability |
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X |
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Budget Constraints |
X |
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Meeting Schedule Constraints |
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X |
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Software Availability/Issues |
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X |
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Ease of Web Site Accessibility |
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X |
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Relevance of Web Site Information |
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X |
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Ease of updating Web Site Information |
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X |
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High Risk Analysis |
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Risk Considerations |
Risk Significance and Potential Solution |
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Meeting Schedule Constraints |
Significance: Sufficient time must be allotted to allow the development of this project to be useful with current issues
Solution: Discuss with the stakeholder the values of completing the project within the planned timeline. Collaborate with stakeholder to establish a schedule which can be the most accommodating. |
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Ease of Web Site Accessibility |
Significance: At site that is not easy to navigate through can become burdensome and ultimately can go unused. It would be a failure to build a site which would go unused.
Solution: Investigate several informative web sites to provide insight to better web site accessibility and navigation designs http://www.grantasticdesigns.com/navigation.html http://www.agimo.gov.au/practice/delivery/checklists/navigation http://www.otal.umd.edu/SHORE2000/webnav/introduction.html Scheduling will be made to display the prototype to the users and get early feedback in regards to web site navigation and accessibility. Redesign and request for feedback. |
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Relevance of Web Site Information |
Significance: The information needs to be organized such that key information is readily available. The information should be categorized to allow the user to find the key data that is needed. In addition, a hierarchy of data should be developed to help place key information in the easiest to find areas.
Solution: Consult with the stakeholders and develop data organizational charts. Create and display prototypes to the stakeholders to get feedback. Redesign and request for feedback. |
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Ease of updating Web Site Information |
Significance: If the web site is too difficult or cumbersome to update, then it may take too much effort to update with relevant information. If the web site does not contain relevant information is no longer is useful.
Solution: Meet with stakeholders and explain the possibilities. Plan for a web site that is easy to manage and update. Provide training to members who will be responsible for updates. |
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Contingency Plan
After completing a risk analysis it has been determined that the high-level risks to the successful completion of my project are:
1. Meeting Schedule Constraints
2. Ease of Web Site Accessibility
3. Relevance of Web Site Information
4. Ease of updating Web Site Information
Efforts to offset these risks are in place. However, if for some reason my project does not appear to be developing successfully regardless of the efforts made, I would present reasons why I am unable to proceed with the project as planned. Appropriate redirection of the plan would take place upon instructor and/or stakeholder approval and the new direction would be discussed in the final project report. Redirection might be to permit the [analysis, testing, presentation, or other] phase(s) of my project to constitute my project in its entirety. The outstanding phase(s) (e.g., implementation) of my project would in such case be completed outside the scope of the capstone project. Upon approval, such redirection would represent my project in its entirety.
I performed the following literature review concerning the value in producing my project:
1. Mozilla.org Contributors (2005). Mozilla XForms Project Status
http://www.mozilla.org/projects/xforms/status.html
The Mozilla group has found that by utilizing a web site they can publish status and issues that can allow viewers to easily track progress. The XForms status page also has links in which you may find more in-depth information on current issues and bugs.
The XForms status page demonstrates the ability to use a web site for communicating the status of a project.
2. Seattle Monorail Project [SMP] (2005). About the Project Seattle Monorail Project
http://www.elevated.org/project/
The Seattle Monorail Project uses a web site to inform the public of the current status of the project. SMP uses the web site to communicate the project overview and highlights of the project. SMP also uses this platform to promote the benefits of the project such as economic developments, new jobs, and tourism opportunities.
The Seattle Monorail Project web site demonstrates the ability to communicate and market to interested parties, by providing a central location of updated information.
3. Western Ecological Research Center [USGS] (2003). Discovery for Recovery: The Project
http://www.werc.usgs.gov/pinsat/plan.html
WERC established a web site to communicate the project of tracking northern pintails. The northern pintails population has been declining and WERC hopes to reverse that trend. By using a web site, WERC is able to communicate and promote support for their project. The web site contains links to find more information on their plans and why they are involved in the project. The web site also provides graphs for visitors.
The WERC site is an easy to maintain single point of information in regards to the northern pintail project. This web site allows visitors to quickly find the latest information available.
The following appendixes would be added to the Integrated Action Learning Project Final Report to provide a sample of my work and to evidence satisfactory project completion:
Appendix A: Selected Screenshots of the Subject Web Site
Appendix B: Letter of Project Completion from Stakeholder, M. Patel