Question

ASSIGNMENT:

Answer both questions below:

1. Using the internet or any other resource, perform a search for “systems development life cycle.” Write a summary that outlines the similarities and differences between the systems development life cycle (SDLC) and each of the project management life cycles. Can they work together?
2. There are many aspects that make IT projects unique. Describe four aspects and provide examples. Given examples from your concentration (Cybersecurity, IT Security, IT Project Management, Information Security Management, Business Analytics, Business Administration, Software Development, Database), as to why projects from these concentrations would be unique.

Answer 1

What is Software Development Cycle?

SDLC is a process followed for a software project, within a software organization. It consists of a detailed plan describing how to develop, maintain, replace or enhance a specific software. The life cycle defines a methodology for improving the quality of software and the overall development process.

What is Project Management Life Cycle?

The project management life cycle describes high-level processes for delivering a successful project. In the phases of the project management life cycle, we come up with the idea for a project, define its goals, plan for its execution, and guide it to completion. It is applicable to any genre project and is therefore a generalized methodology aimed at efficient execution.

Relation between SDLC and PMLC:

The project life cycle (PLC) focuses on the phases, processes, tools, knowledge and skills of managing a project, while the system development life cycle (SDLC) focuses on creating and implementing the project’s product – the information system. How a project team chooses to implement the SDLC will directly affect how the project is planned in terms of phases, tasks, estimates and resources assigned. The SDLC is really part of the PLC because many of the activities for developing the information system occur during the execution phase. The last two stages of the PLC, closing and evaluating the project, occur after the implementation of the information system. The integration of project management and system development activities is one important component that distinguishes IT projects from other types of projects.

The SDLC and PMLC are aimed at improving the quality of a project. The SDLC is however more specific whereas PMLC is more general. The SDLC actually constitutes just a part in PMLC. Yes they can go together, they are actually the same process in a larger perspective.

Four aspects of IT project:

Time Management

Every activity needs to be completed within the given time period. Exceeding the time limit will never benefit the customer and it leads to wasting developer time as well. Thus, the timeline should be allotted to every single task and it must be ensured that deadlines are respected.

For example, in most scenario, the projects have a deadline beyond which the value of project decreases. A software to monitor an event is only of use if it can be launched before the event.

Resources Available

The project manager must keep a good synchronization with the available resources as well as stock them as soon as their stocks are low. Optimum utilization must also be done in order to avoid facing their shortage. The manager must even know the time period for which the resources will last in order to ensure effective management.

Though in this era where resources are mostly virtualized and available easily, in a case of lacking resources the project stumbles.

Cost

Every project must be cost effective. Every activity requires investment, but a project will gain profit only when it is ensured that expenses are minimal. Furthermore, if successful in providing good services within a minimum budget, then the customers are satisfied. Crossing the limit of the budget won’t be good for both the parties.

For example, consider a software proposal of about a ten thousand dollar for a startup that has only stacked up on amounts less than a five thousand.

Scope

The scope of the project indicates the significance of the projects and the activities that need to be undertaken during the course of the project. The process of determining what is necessary and what is not is quite a regular process. A clear understanding of project goals avoids confusions and allows the team to focus on the main things.

It is better to drive attention to niches than to spend time on a very competitive market.

How Database projects are unique?

Database Projects are executed to meet business needs. It requires the right skills and expertise to get database projects as per client requirements, completed on time and within the allocated budget.

Database projects are unique and require an in-depth understanding of database environments and the project requirements. Extensive experience in handling small to large projects from end-to-end, including supporting application development DB design aspects, are vital.

Database Upgrades / Migrations

Must be expert in creating a migration & upgrade strategies and plans. The plans must consider all the steps in the migration & upgrade process and to be designed specifically to organization’s needs. Time tested best practices and deploy standard sets of scripts and tools are preferred to execute efficiently and thus minimize any chances of error. Knowledge in cross-platform database migrations also required.

Database Auditing

Data is one of the most critical assets of any organization. To protect & manage the data, organizations must audit databases and work to close any actionable items to reduce or nullify risks.Tools on databases to detect, alert and prevent unauthorized attempts to access databases and data are essential. Engagement generally includes analysis and production of databases, provision of recommendations, comprehensive reports and preventive action plans.

High Availability Databases – Design / Setup

High-availability solutions to help organizations to increase database availability in case of hardware or software failures that would otherwise lead to unplanned business downtime.High availability solutions allow the business owners to focus on business while uncertainties are handled at ease and no interruption to business.

Setup Disaster Recovery (DR)

Setup reliable disaster recovery (DR) databases / sites as per business requirements. The DR setup implemented ensures that the service is resumed within a very short period of time (SLAs as per the business requirement), with minimal or no data loss in the event of hardware and software failures.