General information


Subject type: Mandatory

Coordinator: Alfonso Palacios González

Trimester: First term

Credits: 4

Teaching staff: 

Carles Bonet Papell
Alfonso Palacios González 

Skills


Basic skills
  • B2_That students know how to apply their knowledge to their job or vocation in a professional way and have the skills they demonstrate by developing and defending arguments and solving problems within their area of ​​study

  • B3_Students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of ​​study), to make judgments that include reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues

  • B4_That students can convey information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialized and non-specialized audiences

  • B5_That students have developed those learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy

Specific skills
  • EFB6_Adequate knowledge of the concept of company, institutional and legal framework of the company. Organization and management of companies

  • EIS1_Ability to develop, maintain and evaluate software services and systems that meet all user requirements and that behave reliably and efficiently, are affordable to develop and maintain and comply with quality standards, applying theories, principles, methods and software engineering practices

  • EIS2_Ability to assess customer needs and specify software requirements to meet those needs, reconciling conflicting goals, by seeking acceptable compromises, within the limitations of cost, time, the existence of already developed systems and of the organizations themselves

  • EIS3_Ability to solve integration problems based on available strategies, standards and technology

  • EIS4_Ability to identify and analyze problems and design, develop, implement, verify and document software solutions based on adequate knowledge of current theories, models and techniques

  • EIS5_Ability to identify, assess and manage potential associated risks that may arise

  • EIS6_Ability to design appropriate solutions in one or more application domains, using software engineering methods that integrate ethical, social, legal and economic aspects

  • ESI1_Ability to integrate Information and Communications Technology solutions and business processes to meet the information needs of organizations, enabling them to achieve their goals effectively and efficiently, thus achieving competitive advantage

  • ESI2_Ability to determine the requirements of the information and communication systems of an organization, taking into account security aspects and compliance with current regulations and legislation

  • ESI3_Ability to actively participate in the specification, design, implementation and maintenance of information and communication systems

  • ESI4_Ability to understand and apply the principles and practices of organizations, so that they can act as a link between the technical and management communities of an organization and actively participate in user training

  • ESI5_Ability to understand and apply the principles of risk assessment and apply them correctly in the elaboration and execution of action plans

  • ESI6_Ability to understand and apply the principles and techniques of quality management and technological innovation in organizations

Transversal competences
  • T1_That students know a third language, which will be preferably English, with an adequate level of oral and written form, according to the needs of the graduates in each degree

  • T2_That students have the ability to work as members of an interdisciplinary team either as one more member, or performing management tasks in order to contribute to developing projects with pragmatism and a sense of responsibility, making commitments taking into account the available resources

Description


The subject of Computer Project Management in the first term of the fourth year deals with the specific problems of computer projects.

In its development, 3 ECTS are dedicated to the theoretical part and 1 ECTS to the practical part.

The concepts of time estimation, costs, risk management, deliverables management, management of the development team and planning of the project's own activities will be introduced.

Another topic covered in the subject is the use of collaborative tools to control certain stages of a project.

This subject has methodological and digital resources to make possible its continuity in non-contact mode in the case of being necessary for reasons related to the Covid-19.

In this way, the achievement of the same knowledge and skills that are specified in this teaching plan will be ensured.

Learning outcomes


At the end of the course students must be able to:

  • Choose the project life cycle that best suits each case.
  • Apply techniques in order to divide complexity.
  • Determine the viability of a project.
  • Develop a basic project plan.
  • Estimate the costs.
  • Manage execution.
  • Identify and control risks.
  • Manage changes to a project.
  • Have notions of leading software creation teams.
  • Describe and comply with a work plan and its timing cio.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of the ethical dimension of the company: social and corporate responsibility in general and, in particular, the civil and professional responsibilities of the computer engineer.
  • Specify, design, implement, manage and maintain complex and / or critical software systems and services.
  • Quality control and design testing in software production.
  • Define and manage the requirements of an information system.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of quality metrics and how to use them.
  • Determine the factors that negatively affect the security and reliability of a hardware / software system and minimize its effects.
  • Control versions and project settings.
  • Design and manage information systems.
  • Plan and use the information needed for an academic work (for example, the final degree project) based on a critical reflection on the information resources used.
  • Manage information competently independently and autonomously. Evaluate the information found and identify the shortcomings present.

Working methodology


The theoretical concepts of the subject are treated in theory class (large groups). These classes must explain all the basic concepts and techniques needed to manage a small to medium-sized project (teams of between 5 and 7 people).

In theory class there will be some small dynamics (3rd minutes) in order to allow students to experience some of the tools they are trying to convey.

It is recommended that before each theoretical session, students should read the material indicated on the virtual platform. During the classes, the resolution of situations related to project management will be requested, always emphasizing the importance of teamwork.

  1. Great practice divided into "projects" by team.
  2. Small internships for each team that is a "project" in itself.

Rules for carrying out the activities

For each activity the teachers will report on the rules and particular conditions of the same. One-on-one activities presuppose the student's commitment to carry them out individually.

All those activities in which the student does not fulfill this commitment are considered suspended.

In the same way, the activities that must be carried out in groups presuppose the commitment on the part of the students that integrate it to carry them out within the dynamics of the group.

All activities in which the group does not comply with this commitment are considered suspended.

In group activities, the teacher can, based on the information available, customize the grade for each member of the group.

Any activity not delivered will be considered scored with zero points.

It is up to the teachers to accept or not deliveries outside the indicated deadlines.

In the case of late deliveries that are accepted, the maximum grade that the deliverer (s) can aspire to is a 6.

 

This course, due to the situation generated by COVID, some of the large group sessions will be held in hybrid format: face-to-face and online (via streaming).

This will allow students to rotate to face-to-face classes, respecting the maximum number of students per classroom imposed by the distance measures. When they do not have a face-to-face session, they will be able to follow the class online from home.

 With regard to internship sessions in smaller spaces (such as laboratories, studios or sets), where appropriate, work will be carried out simultaneously in several spaces in order to ensure that the conditions established by the safety protocols are met.

Contents


1. Introduction to computer projects, definitions and elements

1.1 The context of computer projects (service, systems and technology or platform)

1.2 Basic definition of computer project

· Types of projects

· Technology projects

· Projects with technology

1.3 Elements of a project

1.4 Keys to a successful project

1.5 Processes

2. The management of computer projects

2.1 Introduction to project management

2.2 Life cycle of a project

2.3 Critical success factors

2.4 Management of development projects

2.5 Management of implementation projects

2.6 Management of installation projects

2.7 Management of maintenance projects

 

3. Definition of projects

3.1 Definition of the project

3.2 Definition of objectives

· Project objectives

· Product objectives

· Objectives of the participants

· Purpose of the service

3.3 Definition of requirements

3.4 Limits of the project

3.5 Cost study

3.6 Risk analysis

 

4. Project planning

4.1 Project plan

            Definition

            Parts of the plan

4.2 Software process and methodology

· Current software processes.

· Methodologies applicable to projects.

4.3 Phases of a project

4.4 Tasks and activities of each phase

· Tasks of each phase.

· Activities of each task

4.5 Gantt Charts and Pert Networks

4.6 Critical path, margin of delay and early-time

4.7 Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Method

4.8 Determination of resources

4.9 Creation of a calendar and time frames for the project

5. Estimation of project costs and metrics

5.1 Estimation of effort

5.2 Cost estimation

· Human resources

· Material resources

· Others: licenses, supplies, services

5.3 Software metrics for estimating effort

5.4 Cost-benefit analysis

 

6. Project organization

6.1. The human part of project management.

6.2 The Project Manager.

6.3 Roles and responsibilities within the team.

6.4. Communication within the project.

6.5. Communication outside the project (actors involved or stakeholders).

6.6 Roles-Skills-Tasks Matrices.

7. Project control elements

7.1 Change management

7.2 Management of deliverables for each phase.

7.3 Problem management

7.4 Conflict management

7.5 Risk management

7.6 Quality management

7.7 Human resource management

8. Tools for project management

8.1 Microsoft Project

8.2 Git

8.3 Subversion

8.4 Trello

8.5 Lucid chart

8.6 Source safe

8.6 Other tools

 

9. Execution of projects

9.1 Main components of the execution

9.2 The launch of a project

9.3 Daily project management

9.4 Communication management

9.5 Treatment of expectations

9.6 Team management

9.6. Monitoring and control

9.7 Indicators, KPIs, measures and metrics

              

10. Documentation of a project

10.1 Deliverables

10.2 Documentation tools

10.3 Acts of work

10.4 Requirements Reports

10.5 Change management documents

10.6 Final report of the project

10.7 User Manual

10.8 Installation and configuration manual

10.9 Administrator's Manual

10.10 User support systems

 

11. Closing and evaluation of the project

11.1 Closing elements of a project

 

12. Application of project management to the management of the TFG (Final Degree Project)

12.1 The process of carrying out the TFG

12.2 Planning and estimation

12.3 Cost evaluation and feasibility study

12.4 Oral and written communication techniques

12.5 The documents of the TFG:

12.5.1 The preliminary draft

12.5.2 The buffer

12.5.3 The final report

12.5.4 The defense

Learning activities


Single Practice

The aim of the subject is for students to know how to do a computer project, in short it is one of the major areas of the industry to which some of them will be dedicated.

In order to achieve this great goal, during the development of the course, a "medium" project will be built (ie a project that in real life involves a team of 5-7 people for 1 - 1,5 years)

in which each team will make their version of the project plan of the problem required.

The case study will be explained through a set of videos where users of the program will convey to students what they need (it is as close to reality as it is not possible to have a "stable set" of users who attend class in a regular).

IF students have questions about things they need to know, they will make videos with their questions that users will answer.

Specific objectives: The aim of this activity is to assess whether the student:

  1. You can understand the required requirements.
  2. You can divide the complexity that is being requested.
  3. You can create a basic project plan with a calendar.
  4. You can make a basic cost estimate.
  5. You can perform minimal risk control.
  6. You can organize a repository for the project.

Evaluation system


The final grade will be calculated with the grades of the weighted activities as follows:

  •  Test 1: 30%
  •  Test 2: 30%
  • Practical work 40% (The final grade will be evaluated according to the level reached at the end of the learning process.)

With the above weights, laboratory practices weigh 40% and tests 60%.
Tests 1 and 2 can only be retaken in a single test of the whole subject (internships cannot be retaken).

60% of the final mark of the subject will be the highest between the recovery test and the one obtained in tests 1 and 2.
In order to take the recovery test, the student must meet the following three conditions:
. The grade of the subject is less than five.
. You have at least a three of the tests.
. You have at least a three of the practice.

REFERENCES


Basic

"Guide to the Fundamentals of Project Management." Third Edition. (PMBOK® Guide). 2004. Project Management Institute, Inc. ISBN - 1-930699-73-5

McConnell, Steve. Computer Project Development and Management, McGraw-Hill., 1997, ISBN-9788448112295

 

Complementary

Horine, Gregory M. Absolute Beginner's Guide to Project Management. Que Publishing, 2009. ISBN 978-0-7897-3821-9

Sommerville Ian. Software Engineering 9th Edition, Addison-Wesley, 2011. ISBN 978-0-13-703515-1

Pressman, Roger S .. Software Engineering: a practical approach. 7. McGraw-Hill, 2010. ISBN 9786071503145.