Course Syllabus

CMGT/445 APPLICATION IMPLEMENTATION Course Start Date: 02/22/2011 Course End Date: 03/28/2011

Weighting of Assignments
Recommended Weekly Point Values
Week Two Individual Assignment Week Three Individual Assignment Week Four Individual Assignment Week Five Learning Team Assignment: Project Learning Team Assignment: Presentation All Weeks Participation & Discussion Questions Point Total 15 15 20 20 10 20 100

Week One
Topic One: Implementation Planning Identify implementation milestones and resources. Explain phases of application implementation. Explain the Implementation plan. Identify implementation stakeholders. Explain the implementation plan approval process.

Topic Two: Software Acquisition Explain the Request for Proposal process. Compare methods of software evaluation and selection. Explain the vendor selection process.

Course Assignments
1. Course Preparation Read the course description and objectives. Review the Learning Team Toolkit.

2. Readings (Topic One)

Read Chapter 1, The World of the Modern Systems Analyst, in Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Read Chapter 6, The Traditional Approach to Requirements, in Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Read Chapter 8, Evaluating Alternatives for Requirements, Environment, and Implementation, in Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Read Chapter 1, Managing in the Information Age, in Management of Information Technology. Read Chapter 10, Development and Acquisition Alternative, in Management of Information Technology. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings.

3. Readings (Topic Two)

Read Chapter 10, The Traditional Approach to Design, in Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Read Chapter 4, Information Technology Planning, in Management of Information Technology. Read Chapter 10, Development and Acquisition Alternative, in Management of Information Technology.

4. Discussion Questions

Welch, et al. (2007) presents IT Governance as an important Key in ERP success. Discuss the organization of an IT governance team and then compare and contrast implementing a major ER project with and without an in place governance team.

Peslak, et al. (2007/2008) examine a defined phase approach to ERP implementation. Compare and contrast the standard SDLC stepped process to the process described in Peslak, et al. discussing the similarities and differences between the two processes.

5. Learning Team: Service Request SR-bi-001 Project and Presentation (Due Week Five) Complete the Learning Team Charter. The following Learning Team assignment, due in Week Five, refers to Boardman Management Group, Baderman Island Resort and Smith Systems Consulting, several of the Virtual Organizations. A link to the Virtual Organizations can be found on the rEsource page. Boardman Management Group can be accessed from the Baderman Island Virtual Organization home page. Assignment Weekly Participation Individual or Learning Team Individual All week Due

Week Two
Topic One: Change Control and Project Risk Management Explain the Change Control process. Explain software versioning. Evaluate methods for identifying areas of project risk. Explore project risk mitigation strategies.

Topic Two: Application Documentation Describe the content and purpose of application documentation. Compare technical, user and system training documentation.

Course Assignments
1. Readings (Topic One)

Read Chapter 2, Approaches to System Development, in Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Read Chapter 8, Evaluating Alternatives for Requirements, Environment, and Implementation, in Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Read Chapter 13, Managing Computer and Data Resources, in Management of Information Technology. Read Chapter 16, IT Controls, Asset Protection, and Security, in Management of Information Technology. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings.

2. Readings (Topic Two)

Read Chapter 5, Modeling System Requirements: Events and Things, in Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Read Chapter 10, Development and Acquisition Alternative, in Management of Information Technology. Read Chapter 11, Managing E-Business Applications, in Management of Information Technology.

3. Discussion Questions Haddad and Ribire (2007) explore and expand upon the more formal use of Knowledge Management in the process of software acquisition. Analyze and discuss the use of the Software Capability Content Maturity Model (SACMM) if you were the project manager responsible for a large software acquisition at your company. Boehm and Bhuta, (2009) explore the reuse of existing components software pieces and the associated risks. Apply the principles put forth on p. 60 of this article, go back and review a software development project you were a part of and discuss whether the application of the principles of these authors could have reduced the risk of that project.

4. Individual Assignment

 The following individual assignments refer to Boardman Management Group, Baderman Island Resort and Smith Systems Consulting, several of the Virtual Organizations. A link to the Virtual Organizations can be found on the Course Materials page. Boardman Management Group manages the Baderman Island resort. They are considering whether to upgrade the word processing software currently in use at the resort or to purchase a new word processing software application. Boardman plans to hire Smith Systems Consulting to help them analyze their options and to prepare an implementation plan. Submit a 3-4 page plan for how Boardman Management Group should utilize Smith Systems Consulting as an outside consultant for this project. Include a discussion of why the specific elements of your plan are important, how they will achieve the results you intend and why they were chosen over alternative methods.

5. Learning Team Assignment: Service Request SR-bi-001 Project and Presentation (Due Week
Five) Draft the analysis requested in Service Request SR-bi-001, Word Processing Software Upgrade. Do NOT address the Change Requests at this time. This analysis will be used as part of the Week Three individual assignment. Assignment Weekly Participation Individual Assignment Individual or Learning Team Individual Individual All week Day 7 Monday Due

Week Three
Topic One: Technical Environment Preparation Compare development, test, and production technical environments. Explain the system turnover process.

Topic Two: Application Testing Compare application testing objectives and methods. Explain test data preparation. Explain application test planning and execution.

Course Assignments
1. Readings (Topic One)

Read Chapter 13, Designing Databases, in Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Read Chapter 14, Designing the User Interface, in Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Read Chapter 9, Managing Application Development, in Management of Information Technology. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings.

2. Readings (Topic Two)

Read Chapter 15, Designing System Interfaces, Controls, and Security, in Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Read Chapter 9, Managing Application Development, in Management of Information Technology. Read Chapter 10, Development and Acquisition Alternative, in Management of Information Technology.

3. Discussion Questions Jorgensen and Boehm (2009) debate the classic argument in estimating software development effort: formal models versus expert judgment. Summarize the key points on both sides and then discuss how software development is estimated in your company. Sooraj and Mohapatra (2008), analyze the benefits of effective use of offshoring in software development in that development is carried out 24 hours a day. Analyze and discuss the potential negative implications and risks in the use of this process.

4. Individual Assignment Boardman Management Group has decided to upgrade the Microsoft Word, word processing software for Baderman Island Resort. Smith Systems Consulting has provided Boardman with an analysis of the factors that need to be considered in upgrading the software. Using the analysis prepared by your Learning Team during Week Two, submit a Request For Proposal (RFP) that would be sent to software vendors seeking their proposals for the

purchase and implementation of the upgraded software application. An RFP template can be found in the Supplements section of the Links Library.

5. Learning Team Assignment: Service Request SR-bi-001 Project and Presentation (Due Week
Five) Draft Change Request #1 to Service Request SR-bi-001, Word Processing Software Upgrade. There is a General Analyst Skills Checklist available in the IT Templates section of the Web Links which you might find helpful to assist with this assignment. The project plan should be 10-15 pages in length and include the following sections: o Overview o Purpose o Business Requirement o Alternatives o Recommendations o Projected Economic Model (e.g. Cost, ROI, Savings) o Risk Assessment o Schedule o Maintenance You will also prepare a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation of the project plan for Boardmans executive management team. Begin work on the presentation which will be due in Week Five. Assignment Weekly Participation Individual Assignment Individual or Learning Team Individual Individual All week Day 7 Monday Due

Week Four
Topic One: Organization Preparation Explain organizational change strategies. Explain process business procedures.

Topic Two: Training Compare technical training and End User training. Explain methods and timing considerations for training personnel.

Topic Three: Data Conversion Explain data transformation and migration. Explain conversion programs and procedures. Explain sample data extraction for testing. Describe the conversion schedule.

Course Assignments
1. Readings (Topic One)

Read Chapter 16, Making the System Operational, in Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Read Chapter 15, Measuring IT Investments and Returns, in Management of Information Technology. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings.

2. Readings (Topic Two)

Read Chapter 1, The World of the Modern Systems Analyst, in Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Read Chapter 13, Managing Computer and Data Resources, in Management of Information Technology.

3. Readings (Topic Three)

Read Chapter 9, Moving to Design, in Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Read Chapter 10, Development and Acquisition Alternative, in Management of Information Technology.

4. Discussion Questions Shirshendu and Ghatak (2007) discuss the importance of quality in the software product. They make the claim that Quality is Free. Analyze and discuss the meaning of that phrase and detail what the operations need to be to get a product to the point that Quality is Free. Spreadsheets are used in many companies as mini databases. Cunha, et al. (2009), present techniques to migrate the data in a spreadsheet into a relational database format. Discuss the applicability of this technique to the conversion of spreadsheets in your own company to a large relational database.

5. Individual Assignment Submit a 3-4 page paper that discusses how you will assess the responses you received to the RFP you prepared in Week Three.

6. Learning Team Assignment: Service Request SR-bi-001 Project and Presentation (Due Week
Five) Draft Change Request #2 to Service Request SR-bi-001, Word Processing Software Upgrade. Add the testing plan to your detailed project plan. Incorporate the testing plan into the plan schedule. Amend the Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to include the testing plan. Assignment Weekly Participation Individual Assignment Individual or Learning Team Individual Individual All week Day 7 Monday Due

Week Five
Topic One: System Launch Compare system startup alternatives. Identify implementation roles. Explain timeline for key activities. Describe startup activities.

Topic Two: System Support and Maintenance Explain system support roles and functions. Explain the process of enhancing system functionality.

Course Assignments
1. Readings (Topic One)

Read Chapter 17, Current Trends in System Development, in Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Read Chapter 15, Measuring IT Investments and Returns, in Management of Information Technology. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings.

2. Readings (Topic Two)

Read Chapter 18, Packaged Software and Enterprise Resource Planning, in Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. Read Chapter 12, Developing and Managing Customer Expectations, in Management of Information Technology. Read Chapter 13, Managing Computer and Data Resources, in Management of Information Technology.

3. Discussion Questions Fowler and Horan (2007) discuss and analyze many reasons for IS project failures. Review the major factors list on pp. 10-12. Analyze and discuss a major software development program at your company and discuss which of those factors you believe led to the program not being on time and on budget. Simon and Paper (2007) explore the topic of user acceptance to new technologies; in this case voice recognition technology. Reviewing the general constructs of the TAM model the authors analyze, discuss the application of this model and the results of the study to improving the acceptance of new technology at your company.

4. Learning Team Assignment: Service Request SR-bi-001 Project and Presentation

Complete Change Request #3 to Service Request SR-bi-001, Word Processing Software Upgrade. Include the training plan in the detailed project plan. Incorporate the training plan into the plan schedule. Finalize the Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to include the training plan. Finalize and submit all parts of the Service Request (including Change Requests).

Assignment Weekly Participation Team Project

Individual or Learning Team Individual Team All week

Due

Day 7 Monday