Introduction
The purpose of this webquest is to assess the students' knowledge related to Project Planning using IT.
This webquest covers the first learning outcome of the unit:
1. Understand how projects are managed
Task
Scenario:
You have been hired as a Junior Project Manager at SmartLabs. SmartLabs is a software development company that plans and implements IT projects for a wide range of businesses. SmartLabs develops desktop, web and mobile software solutions.
As per your assigned group, your first task at SmartLabs is to manage and plan a project. The project is divided into three stages. Your first stage is to approach a new client and collect their requirements and plan the project.
Your task is to prepare a report on the following topics:
- Illustrate the phases of your project’s lifecycle
- Explain to your client, why projects fail
- Explain the resources available that will help you manage the project
- Discuss the issues that may affect your project
Process
Follow the below processes for each task:
1. Use the Internet and the class slides as resources and illustrate a project lifecycle. The lifecycle diagram should be clear and consists of all of the phases
2. Research the Internet for probable causes for project failure. Support your answer with documented cases where projects have failed.
3. List and explain each of the 4 project resources that any project needs. The resources are: Information, People, Equipment and Money.
4. Research the Internet and discuss 4 issues that may affect the delivery of your project.
Always include your references!
Evaluation
| Task | Achieved | Not Achieved |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Your answer includes all of the 5 stages of the project lifecycle | Your answer does not include all of the 5 stages of the project lifecycle |
| 2 | Your answer includes 3 reasons why projects fail and is supported by documented cases | Your answer does not include 3 reasons why projects fail or it is not supported by documented cases |
| 3 | All of the 4 resources are listed and explained | Not listing or explaining the 4 resources |
| 4 | Your answer addresses 4 issues | Your answer does not address 4 issues |
Conclusion
Understanding how projects are managed is an important skill for successful projects. By the end of this webquest, you should be able to explain each of the project stages, resources needed for projects, issues that might face you while planning and executing a project and reasons why projects fail.
You have completed your first stage of your project!
In the upcoming webquest you will plan an IT project for a client.
Credits
Teacher Page
Successful implementation of this webquest depends on 4 ICT competencies:
Content and pedagogy:
For the past few years, the institute has been adopting ICT within its programmes. All teaching material, student activities and assessments have been designed and implemented using ICT tools. The content of each individual unit has been transformed one way or another into digital content. As we are slowly transforming our pedagogy into ICT based teaching and learning, we are encouraged to adopt new ICT tools to teach and assess. Integrating a webquest within my unit will transform the way I deliver the content and assess my students' performance.
Collaboration and Networking
Implementing webquests encourages students to collaborate and work on achieving the desired learning outcomes. Working in a group improves the students' personal and professional skills which are very crucial in preparing them for the real working environment. Creating and maintaining relationships is another skill that students obtain from this activity. My role as a teacher will be to facilitate the learning among each group and ensure that their work is going on track.
Social issues
In this webquest, students are encouraged to use the Internet as a resource which empowers them to learn from others' experiences. A strong emphasis is placed on maintaining intellectual properties of resources that students use. Students are instructed to always use proper referencing techniques when citing information from sources.
Technical issues
As a teacher, my role in this webquest is to provide technical support for students. Students will work on this webquest during class time inside the institute computer labs. In cases where I'm not able to resolve any technical issue, the institute's Information Systems team is available. While preparing this webquest, I utilized the Internet as a resource to gather more information on what are the essential components of a webquest.