Chapter 2:
The Project Management and Information Technology Context

Learning Objectives o Describe the systems view of project management and how it applies to IT projects. o Understand organizations, including the four frames, organizational structures, and organizational culture. o Explain why stakeholder management and top management commitment are critical for a project’s success.

Learning Objectives (Cont.) o Understand the concept of a project phase and the project life cycle and distinguish between project development and product development. o Discuss the unique attributes and diverse nature of IT projects.

Projects cannot be Run in Isolation o Projects must operate in a broad organizational environment. o Project managers need to use systems thinking: n Taking a holistic view of a project and understanding how it relates to the larger organization.

o Senior managers must make sure projects continue to support current business needs.

A Systems View of Project Management o The term systems approach emerged in the 1950s to describe a holistic and analytical approach to solving complex problems. o Three parts include: n Systems philosophy: an overall model for thinking about things as systems, which are interacting components that work within an environment to fulfill some purpose. n Systems analysis: Problem-solving approach. n Systems management: Address business, technological, and organizational issues before making changes to systems.

Three Sphere Model for Systems Management

Understand Organizations
Structural frame: Focuses on roles and responsibilities, coordination, and control. Organization charts help define this frame. Political frame: Assumes organizations are coalitions composed of varied individuals and interest groups. Conflict and power are key issues. Human resources frame: Focuses on providing harmony