INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT

Information Technology Management

Information Technology Management

Thesis

Understand the growing need for better project management, especially for information technology projects.

Discussion

Today, people in every industry and every country manage projects. New technologies have become a major factor in many companies. Computer hardware, software, networks, and the use of interdisciplinary and global work teams have drastically altered the work environment. The success rate of information technology projects has more than doubled since 1995. Worldwide IT spending totaled more than $1.8 trillion in 2005 which was a 6 percent increase from 2004. In addition, spending is projected to grow 8 percent in 2006 and 4 percent in 2007.

In 2005, the total compensation for the average senior project manager was $99,183 per year in the United States. The number of people earning their Project Management Professional (PMP) certification increased by more than 70 percent from 2004 to 2005. Today's firms, governments, and non-profit organizations are realizing that in order to be successful, they must be familiar with and apply modern project management techniques. Individuals are recognizing that in order to be marketable in the workplace, they must develop skills to become adept project team members and project managers.

A project is a temporary venture undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. Projects differ from operations in that they end when their objectives have been reached or the project has been terminated. An information technology project involves the use of hardware, software, and/or networks. Projects are unique, temporary, and developed incrementally; they demand resources, have a sponsor, and involve uncertainty. The triple constraint of project management refers to managing the scope, time, and cost aspects of a project.

Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements. Project managers must do their best to meet specific ...