Systems Integration 1 and 2

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AIMS

The general aim of the two subjects in Systems Integration is to provide you with an understanding of Systems Integration, the disciplines and the process involved, through a combination of text and practical examples.

Emphasis is placed on describing the business relationships between organisations who enter some form of contractual agreement for the development of integrated information systems. The course does not prepare you for the technical design effort required in Systems Integration; the intent is to show how diverse technologies and resources can be integrated by using systematic planning and management techniques that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a specific client.

The two subjects are designed to be taken together, although completion of Systems Integration I alone will provide a basic understanding of the Systems Integration business.

The aims of both units are to:

• provide you with an understanding of the business objectives of Systems Integration and the potential risks in meeting the objectives
• define the business process by detailed examination of life cycle agreements;
• show the need for early and detailed planning prior to starting work on a project
• explain the separate and interrelated roles of organisations and individuals contributing to a Systems Integration program
• illustrate techniques and disciplines for the management and control of a Systems Integration program
• provide you with the confidence to address a specific Systems Integration opportunity, analyse the business and technical risks, and develop and management plan that will lead the program to successful completion

OUTLINE OF SYSTEMS INTEGRATION 1

Module 1 - INTRODUCTION TO SYSTEMS INTEGRATION

Information Systems
Systems Integration overview
Internal and external resourcing
SI business developments
Business risks
SI contracts
The parties involved, SI options
Systems Integration Program Life Cycle
Acquisition phases
'Program' v 'Project'
Solution development
Standards

Module 2 - CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS

What is a contract?
Letter contracts, Teaming agreements
Contract structure and SI contract model
Main agreement
Contract Issues
Reconciling the client and subcontractor agreements
The contract preparation process

Module 3 - PROPOSAL PHASE ACTIVITIES

The Client view
Client acquisition process
Client price and cost considerations
Initial price estimates
Client's development and operating costs
Benefits and cost/benefit analysis
SI Acquisition process
The integrator view
Client relationship and expectations
Marketing
'Make or Buy' analysis
Bid strategies, Competitive analysis and Pricing strategy
Bid quality

Module 4 - RISK MANAGEMENT

Understanding risk
Risk Management Process
Risk Identification
Risk Assessment
Risk Containment
Risk Monitoring
Risk and Price

Module 5 - SPECIFYING THE SOLUTION

Solution Development
Systems Integration environment
Development methodologies
SI methodology
SI Solution Development Process
Requirements analysis
Understanding the need
Trade-off studies
Technical Baseline
System Requirements Specification & Verification
Agreeing the requirement

Module 6 - INITIAL PROJECT PLANNING

Project Management Plan
Project planning process
Work planning activities
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Project Organisation
Sub-contractor management
Design, constriction and test
Administration
Statements of work
Relationship to WBS and Preparation guidelines

Module 7 - PROCUREMENT

Procurement Process
Supplier identification
Make or buy analysis
Identify candidates
Supplier investigation and screening
Single or competitive bid decision
RFP Preparation & Evaluation criteria
Supplier evaluation and selection
Proposal Evaluation and Negotiation
Supplier management
Procurement issues

OUTLINE OF SYSTEMS INTEGRATION 2

Module 1 - PROJECT MANAGER ROLE

Basics
Project management defined
Terminology
Project Management in other areas
Skills required of a project manager
Accountability
The PM as an integrator
Team building
The PM as an agent of change
PM profile

Module 2 - PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

Understanding the Plan
Project planning, evaluation and control
Project Management Plan content
Additional plans
Project procedures
Records Management

Module 3 - DEVELOPMENT AND TEST

Methodologies
Tools
Technical Planning
Requirements first
Initial planning
Identifying technical work activities
Design
Specification categories
External Design
System Design
Sub-system Design
Design guidance
Construction
Overview
Sequence
Process
Subsystem integration and test
System integration
System and acceptance testing
Objectives
Test plan
Test management
Regression testing

Module 4 - ESTIMATION AND SCHEDULING

Estimating principles
The discipline of price
Cost accounting
Definitive estimates
Project planning process
Identifying tasks
Describing tasks
Initial network construction
Identifying resources
Estimating work effort (and duration)
Network analysis
Analysis techniques
Reducing project duration
Optimising the use of resources
Reducing project cost
Design to cost
Top down estimates

Module 5 - COST SCHEDULE CONTROL

Systems Integration as a business
Understanding revenue
Project budgets
Budget allocation and components
Cost control systems and types
Issues
Monitoring project performance
Baseline
Cost and schedule relationships
Measuring completed work
Estimates to completion
Understanding Earned Value concepts
Using Earned Value

Module 6 - PROJECT EVALUATION

Project Reviews
Project team reviews
Client reviews
Project control reviews
Technical reviews
Subcontractor reviews
Action item management
Tracking and reporting
Project control
Trade-offs

Module 7 - PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS

Project procedures and forms procedures
Forms
Project management software
Product selection
Evaluation criteria 'Shopping List'

Module 8 - CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

Configuration management
Baselines
Contracts
Configuration management plan
Change
Causes of change and impact of change
Change control process
Prerequisites
Baseline development and interpretation
Procedures
Change Control Committee
Change impact assessment
Project change request (PCR)
Change authorisation and control history

Module 9 - QUALITY AND GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

Quality First
Total Quality Movement
International quality standards
Australian quality standards
Standards certification
Purpose and definitions
AS 3901, AS 3563.1
Government contracting