Technology Problem Analysis & Design II

Homework 8 (50 Points)

Assignment:

Write your answers to the following questions in Chart & Diagram Format. See the book’s examples on page 237-238, 239, and 240.Complete the following numbered problem from our textbook, “Strategies for Creative Problem Solving”: 9.7 (on page 247). You will need to prepare a Gantt chart, a Deployment chart, & a Critical Path diagram using Word or Excel.

Formatting:

– Use black text only.

– Text size needs to be 12 point size.

– Margins on the document should be 1’’ on all sides.

– The following name block should appear in the upper right of your document:

Your Name

TECH 331 –Technology Problem Analysis II

November 24, 2013

– Title of your document is “Homework 8.”

– Please spell check and proofread your work.

– Please add page numbers to your document.

Content:

Stating the Question before Answering It: While some assignments require that you state the question before your answer, inthis class it is not required to do this.

PLANNING

solution. We can use a variety of techniques-the Gantt and deployment charts and
strategies for budgeting both personnel and money-to arrive at an efficient and
effective allocation. For individuals, proper time allocation and scheduling are
important for success. High-functioning executives and students alike use detailed
planners and calendars to keep track of important appointments and commitments.

Gantt Charts
One of the most popular ways to allocate specific blocks of time to the various tasks
in a project is a Gantt chart. A Gantt chart is a bar graph that indicates when a
specific task is to begin and how long it will take to complete that task.

As an example, suppose we have a time constraint of one year to solve the
problem and we need to allocate time to each of the five building blocks of
the problem-solving process. January, February, and March will be spent working
on problem definition; April and May will be devoted to generating solutions. We
suggest that time be allocated to evaluate our progress at four points along the way
to check that all criteria have been fulfilled: (1) after completion of the definition of
the problem, (2) after deciding the course of action, (3) during the implementation,
and (4) at the end of the project.

A Gantt Chart

In the Gantt chart, note that at least 25 % of the time has been devoted to the
problem definition process, which includes the four steps of gathering information
discussed in Chapter 4. Many-if not most–of the unfortunate consequences of
the incorrectly defined problems discussed in Chapters 1 and 5 would not have
occurred if more time had been spent on defining the problem rather than hurrying
to implement a solution. Most experts agree that the project is halfway complete
once the real problem is defined, written down, and communicated.

Below is an example of the use of a Gantt chart for the development of a Web
site for a small business.

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237

238

Evaluate
early.

CHAPTER 9 IMPLEMENTING THE SOLUTION

Developing a Web Site
Jason and Melinda have a partnership to develop Web sites for small compa-
nies. A local martial arts school has asked them to develop a Web site to try to
increase the school’s business. Jason and Melinda meet with the owner to
discuss the proposed Web site. During this meeting, they outline the follow-
ing tasks, which will form the basis for the project:

• Determine the site requirements and needs of the school

• Select the name for the Web site and register the Web address

• Develop a tentative layout

• Develop content and obtain suitable graphics

• Contract with an Internet service provider to host the Web site on its
servers

• Revise and fine-tune the Web site

• Ensure tbat the site goes live

• Follow up and arrange for periodic updates

• Review the plans with the customer during the development

After the meeting, Melinda develops the following Gantt chart for the martial
arts Web-site project:

WEB-SITE DEVELOPMENT GANTT CHART

The Gantt chart graphically shows the progression of work required to
complete the project.

PLANNING

Critical Path Management •

Critical path management allows us to identify the critical points in the process.
These critical points are readily identified by determining which tasks will cause
substantial delays in the implementation of the solution if the schedule is not met.
Suppose Jason and Melinda decide to use critical path management for the
development of the Web site described in the preceding example. In the next figure,
the bold lines and boxes indicate the critical path. It identifies items that require a
fair amount of time to complete. Ifthe schedule “slips,” the Web site’s “go live” date
will be delayed. In this case, the development of the content and graphics with the
customer takes the longest time and the site cannot be finalized until this task is
completed; thus it is critical that this task be completed on schedule or the Web-site
commissioning will be delayed. Noncritical path items, such as contracting with an
Internet service provider (ISP), can be done as time permits after the critical items
are completed.

Determine Needs Develop Layout Develop Content Site Goes Live

I Register Name ~ n 1

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Contract ISP r/
Critical Path Management of a Web-Site Development Project

A word of caution is in order here: Ifnoncritical path items are completed too
slowly, they can become critical path items. Thus using a critical path diagram is a
dynamic process. The diagram should be continually updated as tasks are
completed, so that you can view the overall progress of the project as a whole.

Coordination and Deployment
Inmost circumstances, groups of individuals will work together as a team to solve a
problem. Under these conditions, coordination among various team members is
imperative if the team is to achieve an efficient solution in the time allotted. The use
of a deployment chart can help guide the team through the solution by assigning
different team members either major or minor responsibilities related to each of the
tasks. A deployment chart for the Web-site development project is shown here.

239

240 CHAPTER9 IMPLEMENTING THE SOLUTION

Deployment Chart for the Web-Site Development Project

Proposed First-Year Budget for Web-Site Project

HourslRate Cost
Personnel

Melinda, Project Director 40 hours @ $50/hour $2000

Jason, Creative Designer 60 hours @ $50/hour $3000
Web Progranuner 60 hours @ $30/hour $1800

Subtotal-Salaries $6800

Monthly MaintenancelUpdates

Annual Fee $loo/month $1200

Web-Site Name Registration

Annual Fee $25 $25

Internet Service Provider Web-Site Hosting

Annual Fee $25/month $300

Supplies

CDs for File Backup $100 $100

TOTAL BUDGET $8425

Team Member I
Task

Melinda John Web Programmer

Determine needs -‘”
Register site name

Develop initial layout

Review with customer 1
Develop content and graphics

Contract with ISP

Revise and fine tune

Site goes live

Follow up and update

Evaluate I
i

Blanchard, Kenneth, and Robert Lorber. Putting the One Minute Manager to Work: How to Turn
the Three Secrets into Skills. Berkeley Books, Berkeley, CA, 1984. Increase your productivity
using three easy-to-follow techniques.