Page 9 - DCAP304_DCAP515_SOFTWARE_PROJECT_MANAGEMENT

Unit 1: Introduction to Software Project Management

Unique Activities Notes

The activities in a project must be unique. A project has never happened before, and it will never
happen again under the same conditions. Something is always different each time the activities
of a project are repeated. Usually, the variations are random in nature—for example, a part is
delayed, someone is sick, a power failure occurs. These are random events that can happen, but
we never are sure of when, how, and with what impact on the schedule. These random variations
are the challenge for the project manager.

Complex Activities

The activities that make up the project are not simple, repetitive acts, such as mowing the lawn,
painting the house, washing the car, or loading the delivery truck. They are complex. For
example, designing an intuitive user interface to an application system is a complex activity.

Connected Activities

Connectedness implies that there is a logical or technical relationship between pairs of activities.
There is an order to the sequence in which the activities that make up the project must be
completed. They are considered connected because the output from one activity is the input to
another. For example, we must design the computer program before we can program it.

Unconnected Activities

You could have a list of unconnected activities that must all be complete in order to complete the
project. For example, consider of developing a payroll system. With some exceptions, the different
modules of payroll system like, data entry module, updation module, calculation module, etc.
can be developed separately in any order. But the pay roll system as a whole cannot be completed
until all its modules are completely developed, but the different modules may be developed in
any order. So developing a payroll system with various modules in which the modules can be
developed in any order is not considered a project according to the definition.
1.1.2 One Goal

Projects must have a single goal.

Example: Consider the development of Management Information System (MIS) project
for an institute. Each module of the MIS like, Personal information system accounting system,
administration control system, examination system can be consider as a subproject, each of
which is a project in its own right.

This division makes for better management control. This artificial decomposition of a complex
project into subprojects often simplifies the scheduling of resources and reduces the need for
interdepartmental communications while a specific activity is worked on. The downside is that
the projects are now interdependent. Even though interdependency adds another layer of
complexity and communication, it can be handled.
1.1.3 Specified Time

Projects have a specified completion date. This date can be self-imposed by management or
externally specified by a customer or government agency. The deadline is beyond the control of
anyone working on the project. The project is over on the specified completion date whether or
not the project work has been completed.

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