The scope of the project
The project focuses on a data collection and analytics company that uses web analytics together with its information technology systems to conduct both business and marketing research. The company has been operating for 2 years now. The following are various business requirements for the company that wishes to attain a 60% growth within the next 16 months. In order to achieve this, the company seeks to create a repository for collected data beyond standard relational databases. The company is in a process of acquiring a 10-terabyte data warehouse that is expected to grow at a rate of 20% per annum. The discussion below will focus on the main business requirements that aid the data warehouse best practices.
How to control the scope
Many changes in the project scope occur as the implementation process continues. Project managers should have the necessary skills on how to deal with such changes when they occur. The following speculations will aid in controlling this project’s scope. Firstly, all participants of the project will get the full briefing about the project scope including its objectives, and expected outcomes. The following approach would eliminate delay issues associated with some stakeholders not understanding various requirements within the project scope. Secondly, all persons involved in the implementation of the project will undergo a training program aimed at identifying and managing potential scope changes. Professionals who must know every detail of this project will conduct the training program. Lastly, effective communication of any scope change will ensure flow of information to all levels for efficient implementation.
Possible risks, constraints and assumptions
All types of businesses aim at finding ways of delivering better products and services, increasing revenue, lowering costs, and reducing risks. The following objectives are very important in every business requirement, although the intensity of a competitive environment hinders achievement of some objectives (Mantel, 2011). Implementing, the following project made use of several risks, constraints and assumptions.
Risks
The possible risks for the development of data warehouse will be more of organizational based rather than technical risks. These include:
- Lack of management commitments
- Unrealistic user expectations
- Untrained staff who light crash the database
- Unavailability of project implementers when needed
- Improper architectural designs that leads to gadgets fitting problems
- Poor organization structure that might introduce issues with flow of commands
- The data base is too big that might go beyond the budgeted price
- Failure of employees not understanding the new technology
Constraints
Constraints consist of any limitations outside the control of the project, but must be present for in the project implantation. Possible constraints for the project include:
- Delivery of the project domain requirements-sometimes the project might fail to reach all the local and federal government standards
- ISO satisfaction
- Limited time of implementation
- Some people might be lacking enough information about the project due to poor training and communication
- Some key system personnel failed to attend project briefing meetings and this might contribute to a state of confusion when it comes to operating the database.
Assumptions
Project assumptions will include all external factors with the potential to determine the success of the project, but are beyond the control of the project manager. Some of the possible assumptions include:
- The company management and staff will collaborate in implementing all project activities
- There is adequate budget allocation
- The project meets all government standards that are not expected to change
- Every project personnel understands the new technology to be put in place and minimum training will be required
Relationship and integration between systems and infrastructure
Database and Data Warehousing
The database will form main system where all data collection and analytics will be conducted. The 10-terabyte project requires an effective system capable of storing information of clients from different corners of the world. Storage of such a large amount of information will require an adequate data warehouse with enough space for storing more than 10-terabytes of data. The organization will make use of the stored information in the data warehouse to manipulate the stored data. In addition, the data warehouse will conduct the processes of reporting and analyzing data. Moreover, the integration of the data warehouse with the database will support decision making within the organization. Multidimensional modeling will be used to that include identification and definition of all the data sources collected in any research. Secondly, the all-conceivable dimensions of each data are integrated within the data warehouse in order to capture the multidimensional requirements (Annoni, Ravat, Teste & Zurfluh, 2006).
Analytics, Interfaces and Cloud Technology
The database analytics interface and cloud technologies have great relationships when it comes to planning a database project. The analytics interface gives the system ability to read data using any format presented with and in all kinds of files. The cloud technology will enable effective running of all analytic processes without human intervention. In addition, the integration between the analytic interface and cloud technology will enable easier running of the business using all kinds of the data-collection software systems, and applications such as customer relationship management. In addition, the cloud technology will facilitate data mobility and offer a favorable collaborative business environment between various analytics processes.
Infrastructure and security
Potential outsourcing or off shoring needs
Since the company is new, outsourcing services from qualified computer experts will be necessary. Outsourcing needs will arise when the database fails to accommodate all the information in case of a work overload.
Necessary resources
The following staffing strategy will be useful for the project. The Chief Information Officer (CIO) is a very useful resource in the implementation of this project. He will be responsible for undertaking all business requirements and his presence will be very much appreciated. In addition, the CIO will ensure the security of all database materials and systems because he has the necessary knowledge of safeguarding data. Secondly, information technologists are useful in every single implementation process of this program. Technologists will aid in solving problems associated with software breakdown or unaccepted authentications into the database.
Definition of terms
Database: A set of data held in a computer and can be accessed in various ways
Data warehouse: A huge storage of data collected from various sources within an organization that assist in guiding management decisions.
References
Annoni, E., Ravat, F., teste, O., & Zurfluh, G. (2006). “Towards Multidimensional Requirements
Design”, Proceedings of 8th International Conference on Data Warehousing and Knowledge Discovery, Vol. 8081. pp. 75-84
Mantel, S. J. (2011). Project management in practice (4th ed.). Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley
