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Hardware Replacement Project

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Hardware Replacement Project

IT.205

Prior to developing a substantial system solution, companies are expected to act accordingly when managing the project itself. The IT department for example faces the decision to implement a new CRM solution along with installing new hardware. By moving forward with the CRM application change, the IT department is putting itself at risk. With excellent project management and analysis, the development of new CRM applications and hardware can result in a low risk high gain production if managed accordingly. Throughout this paper I will discuss the analysis, which should be conducted through project management. I will discuss the five variables of the IT department’s project management which include scope, time, cost, quality, and risk as to how they relate to the department’s decision making with the new application launch. Points that should be considered prior to selecting projects for the best business value will also be discussed. I will then conclude this paper with the factors that influence project risk and what I believe can minimize them.
I will begin with the IT department scoping the project for what systems, applications, and tools will be used in this project. The company is considering to update its current CRM system which is not compatible with its corresponding out dated hardware. The department has to scope the tools necessary to support the new CRM application, which is up to date hardware. Project management should be mindful that the primary tool needed to fulfill this project is updated hardware along with CRM application training for end users to become familiar with the new systems and hardware. End users will not be familiar with the new applications and should be provided with the necessary information to utilize the new applications with ease.
Time is extremely important for the IT department’s project management in developing a successful and beneficial solution. As I stated earlier, the company should remain focused on its primary purpose of the project, which is to develop a new system and a hardware that supports it. Each component within the IT department towards constructing the new CRM application should be broken down in tasks and activities while project management provides deadlines for each of these tasks. For example, a 2-week period can be given to the development of the new CRM application while an additional few weeks is scheduled to find updated hardware that will support the new application. Too much time wasted on one particular task can delay the entire project and become costly. Costs are an important part of project management. Projects are more convenient when they are high benefit and low risk. If the IT department were to discover cost efficient hardware it can make up for the costs associated with the new CRM application launch. The newer hardware should serve as an investment, lasting the company enough time to update many applications without having to worry about the hardware not supporting the upgrades. With durable and cost efficient tools, the company can replenish its cost with higher earned revenues. A budget should be set forth to avoid unnecessary spending and distractions from the purpose of the project. The cost for software, training, information, and hardware should be taken into consideration prior to purchase. The quality of both software and hardware impacts the IT department. Again a high benefit and low risk consists of great quality tools and information systems. The quality of information provided allows project managers to be efficient with both costs and time. The IT department can take advantage of pertinent information and make wise decisions as to what hardware is best to purchase to accommodate its system. The lack of quality information can lead to mishaps such as purchasing costly tools and equipment resulting in delays and poor decision making when putting the new system into production. What if for example, quality was disregarded which resulted in ample amounts of wasted time and poor management decisions? Not only does this affect company operation but also it affects the company entirely. This leads to the final variable of project management, which is risk. The risk involved with the IT department’s decision to implement a new application along with software involves costs, quality, and time. If not orchestrated correctly, the IT department can risk wasting time on costly operations to devise the new applications along with obtaining hardware that is not compatible with the CRM applications. If the It department chooses to use the direct cutover strategy to put their new CRM application into production with new hardware it can risk the loss of information which can then lead to company losses and client dissatisfaction. Unless testing is highly practiced, the risk of systems not running correctly due to incorrect coding and such can also result in delays. Without proper end user training and information the risk of heavy workload may arise. Costs are risks that should be analyzed carefully. A budget should be set forth and acknowledged for that the risk of over spending can cost the company more than it can gain. The IT departments project management must consider both the costs and benefits of implementing this new CRM application along with replacing hardware. Management must consider each investment as an opportunity for growth within the company. The benefit is most favored throughout decision-making. Hardware is inexpensive and technology is expanding everyday. It is wise to consider how your new hardware will benefit the company and if it is even necessary to change the CRM applications if you have significant hardware. On the other hand if the new CRM system is guaranteed to bring in higher revenue and ease then it may be best to invest in updated hardware to fulfill that project. Costs such as hardware would be a wise tangible benefit. The new CRM application will be an updated application that may bring the company thousands of dollars. Overall the benefits should outweigh the costs Information systems may also be considered. These plans show the specifics of the new CRM application and how it benefits the company. What is the purpose of the new CRM application? Will it provide the necessary information for the company to grow? Will our end user understand its functionality? What are the requirements? What is the process involved? All of these things should be considered. The size of the project to implement a new application is a large risk. The IT department is a fairly large department with many end users. At the current moment the hardware that the IT department is a high risk and unless the equipment is not replaced than the possibility of the application not working properly is great. The project however, is very straight forward requiring only to upgrade the hard ware. The cost of the entire process again should be considered for that updating an entire system’s hardware could be pricey. All end users will require access to the new applications unless information will not be integrated or up to date. Before updating any applications, the cost of hardware should be considered. To minimize project’s risk I would consider high benefit and low risk systems. After considering the five variables of project management I would put cost and time into heavy consideration. I would advise investing in newer hardware that can withstand application upgrades and enhancements. This will avoid the need to purchase new hardware with every application conversion. Producing the new systems using the parallel strategy would benefit the department in case the new hardware still did not support the CSM applications. Instead the company is able to identify its new system and the results it brings without sacrificing information. Overall, project management must do due diligence in conducting a project such as launching a new application and hardware amongst its company. By identifying risks involved and adhering to the five variables of project management the IT department has the plan it needs to produce a successful application.

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