This Module's Case is about the processes involved in planning, scheduling, budgeting IT projects, and stakeholder’s accountability. There are some fairly well-established rules and procedures to serve as guidelines here. Here are two short online presentations that give a fairly useful overview: Gurmin, S. (2010). Effective project management. online presentation, ISSUU. Part 1 Retrieved from http://issuu.com/shaun-gurmin/docs/effective_project_management_presentation_01; Part 2 from http://issuu.com/shaun-gurmin/docs/effective_project_management_part_2 Here’s a good basic treatment of resource allocation issues: Drinkwater, A. (2011) Proper methods for resource planning. Retrieved from http://blog.projectconnections.com/project_practitioners/2011/02/proper-methods-for-resource-planning.html It's also important to keep in mind that all project decisions operate in an environment with some degree of uncertainty and/or risk; keeping risks (or unanticipated consequences) to a minimum is very important, because your stakeholders do NOT like surprises. Consider this good advice: Bart, J. (2011). 10 Golden rules of project risk management. ProjectSmart.Retrieved from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/10-golden-rules-of-project-risk-management.html Now we come to the interesting part. Here is a summary of a case of planning and scheduling in the construction industry. As you read through it, you’ll recognize many of the issues encountered in the descriptions of IT project planning. CEIM Reporter. (2011, March 8). Owner’s project schedule management for high rise office building projects: A case study of scheduling. Professional Project Management Education. Retrieved from http://professionalprojectmanagement.blogspot.com/2011/03/owners-project-schedule-management-for.html. In addition, the optional readings expand on many of the central points; you may also want to do some independent Internet-based research of your own to clarify any issues that concern you. For accountability management, it is about the advice that we're given by the literature and the practice wisdom about how we should maintain relationships with the project's "stakeholders" and others to whom the project must report. One of the more systematic articles would be: Barron, M. & Barron, A. (2011, April 5). Project stakeholders. The Project Management Hut. Retrieved from http://www.pmhut.com/project-stakeholders-2. Consider also the use of various accountability maintenance processes: http://projectcontrolsonline.com/Home/DefinitionandImportance ofProjectControls.aspx Ten Step. (n.d.). Monitor and control the project. Retrieved from http://www.tensteppm.com/pv/4.0PMonitorCtrlProj.html Gunlach, M. (2009, June 30). Understanding how project monitoring and controlling integrates to other processes. Bright Hub. Retrieved from http://www.brighthub.com/office/project-management/articles/40904.aspx Your task for Question 2 below is to assemble some propositions about how and when accountability for project operations and results can and should be determined. There is no shortage of advice, in these sources and elsewhere; some are likely to be better supported by the literature and the evidence than others. Obviously, as noted below, this will obligate you to actually be able to present such evidence in an academically respectable manner. You will need to consider what accountability is, to whom it is owed, what sorts of things project managers are accountable for, and the relative costs and benefits of various degrees of accountability. Case Assignment When you have read through the articles and related material, please compose a 6- to 8-page critical analysis paper on the topics: 1. Issues and conclusions regarding project planning, scheduling, and risk management from the construction case that also apply to information technology projects. 2. Discuss and recommend how to maintain effective accountability in project management. You’ll want to draw not only on what you have in the sources from this module, but from the preceding modules as well. Assignment Expectations Your paper should be short (6-8 pages, not including cover sheet and references) and to the point. It is to be structured in the following manner. You are expected to: • Begin this paper by stating your recommendations for accountability maintenance clearly and concisely • Citing appropriate sources, present the reasons why you take this position. Be sure to make the most effective case you can. • Then present the best evidence you can, again citing appropriate sources, against your position—that is, establish what counterarguments can be made to your original position. • Finally, review your original position in light of the counterarguments, showing how they are inadequate to rebut your original statement. • By the end of your paper, you should be able to unequivocally re-affirm your original position. You will be particularly assessed on: • Your ability to see what the module is all about and to structure your paper accordingly. • Your informed commentary and analysis—simply repeating what your sources say does not constitute an adequate paper. • Your ability to apply the professional language and terminology of systems planning correctly and in context; you are expected to be familiar with this language and use it appropriately. • Your effective and appropriate use of in-text citations to the assigned readings and other source material to support your arguments. Refer to the Purdue University APA formatting and style guide (see Module 1 required readings) for the proper formats.