discussion replies

Learning Goal: I’m working on a business discussion question and need support to help me learn.

Reply to at least three different postings by other classmates before Tuesday midnight. Responses to initial postings should be specific and assess whether posting accurately and sufficiently addresses the questions asked in the discussion topic and should incorporate relevant research correctly. Explain your assessment as to why the information is or is not correct and/or complete, providing correct information to enhance the discussion.

1.) 1. Which of the triple constraints do you think is the most important for the project of implementing an enterprise hiring system for MTC?

I think that scope would be the most important constraint for the implementation of a new hiring system at MTC

2. Explain briefly why you selected that constraint.
In my opinion, scope is the most important constraint because the first step and arguably most important, is knowing exactly what the needs of the organization and why it needs them. This should be considered in detail before any sort of planning process of either building or buying a system. By knowing the needs of the organization, the case can be further advanced to proper project planning sequences.

3. Discuss how you would ensure that this aspect was well addressed to maximize MTC’s chance for a successful implementation.
I would ensure that the scope is well addressed by ensuring that I reviewed the case study/interviews in great detail and take any further recommendations/needs from stakeholders in order to develop a project plan with a structured methodology in mind. After developing a project plan, with contingency accommodations in place, I would follow the plan in a structured, yet flexible way in order to best complete the scope of the project and manage any variable circumstances that may arise in a timely and cost-conscious manner.

Maurer, R. (2017). Avoiding ATS Upgrade Headaches: Most applicant tracking system implementations fail. Follow these 4 steps to ensure that yours won’t. HR Magazine, 62(5), 116–117.

2.)For me the most important constraint when implementing the new hiring system to align with MTC’s strategic business plans is time. MTC wants the new hiring system to be integrated with some of their current systems when it comes to things like payroll and time keeping. “Increasing a project’s quality requirements will require more time and money to incorporate more perfection and test all possible outcomes for correctness.” (UMGC n.d.) In my opinion this will end up taking more time during the development and testing phase.

To assure that this aspect is well addressed there will need to be clear and concise guidelines on how long the project will take to complete, and the steps that will be taken to achieve the end goal. Having a plan that fits MTC’s agenda will end up saving more time in the long run. “Many projects fail because the implementation of the system is pursued without understanding the reason for the system in the first place. This concept is equivalent to purchasing lumber for a new home without even having discussed the required size or style of the structure.” (Ramakrishnan) Sitting down with employees and shareholders to address problems throughout the development stages will help keep the project on target.

IT Project Management. (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/le/content/628574/viewContent/25175067/View

Ramakrishnan, S. (2012). System Analysis and Design. Journal of Information Technology & Software Engineering. Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://www.longdom.org/open-access/system-analysis-and-design-2165-7866.S8-e001.pdf

3.) Personally, out of the triple constraints, I believe that time is the most important. Having an enterprise hiring system, the timeline of event’s or when the IT system needs to be online is very important. With MTC gaining new contracts within the near future and needing to hire 75 new employees to keep up with the volume of these contracts and needs of the customers time is of the essence. The new hiring system needs to be implemented as soon as possible, so that MTC can hire the best candidates to provide the best consultants to the customers and ease the hiring process for the hiring team. Time can also follow the S.M.A.R.T criteria of a specific time, measurable timeline, agreed upon end date, a realistic timeline of events and of course time framed. Time is considered to be one of a projects most scarce resources, because out of the whole project, you can’t create or buy more time.

In order to ensure that “Time” was well addressed to maximize MTC’s chance for a successful implementation, I would make a time line for the events. When talking with the stakeholders, I would find out when they need it implemented. I would need to have it done before they needed it, so that we can test the system to fix any bugs o mistakes that were made during the creation process. It’s rare that a plan goes 100% and everything is perfect from the start, so testing would need to be done. The timeline would be set in stone, with milestones in the timeline, so that we can watch the process from start to finish to ensure we are keeping with the agreed upon timeline. There is software out that tracks task competitions. “Timesheets are synced with the team’s tasks, which makes it easy for team members to select their task and just enter it. This brings their time into the timesheet, which can then be previewed and approved with a few clicks” (Westland, 2022).

Reference:

DiFranza, A. (2017, June 27). Time Management Strategies for Project Managers | Northeastern. Northeastern University Graduate Programs. https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/time-management-project-management/

Westland, J. (2022, January 17). The Triple Constraint in Project Management: Time, Scope & Cost. ProjectManager.Com. https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/triple-constraint-project-management-time-scope-cost