Week of¹

Activities and Goals

Jan 8

Project groups formed (5-6 members). Exchange names, phone numbers. Decide on regular meeting times and locations. E-mail to your instructor a list of member names and email addresses (form below).  Assess individual strengths and weaknesses in the context of an MIS project (such as work experience, programming, writing/editing, organizing, interests).

Jan 22

Determine the industry, primary and backup prospective client organizations, likely contact level, potential information needs. Establish phone contact with client organization representative. Explain the nature of the project and hand out "Letter to Prospective Clients" and “Client Agreement Form.”

Jan 29

Receive client go-ahead and arrange initial interview.  Note: You should know your group dynamics by now. If anyone in your group has concerns, raise them with all members present. If necessary, arrange a meeting with your instructor when all members can attend and your instructor will act as a facilitator. Hand in to your instructor your Group Issues Report (on paper, one report per group, signed by all members) and your Student Code of Behavior for Field Projects form (one form per student, signed). Submit Progress Report #1 (via email (see website)).

Feb 5

Complete initial interview and write up the findings for your internal use.  Determine the scope of the application discussed including general objectives and deliverables. Agree upon group approach and the roles of members in the group. If necessary, arrange for second client meeting to get further details.

Feb 12

Complete your business requirements analysis. Begin logical design (with Entity Relationship Diagram, Data Flow Diagram). Hand in to your instructor your signed Client Agreement form.

  Feb 19

Complete your decision analysis and business case.  Submit Progress Report #2 (via course website).  Begin Prototyping based on use cases.
 Note: this is Midterm Week.  Focus on your exams and hopefully you are on schedule with your project.

   Mar 5

Complete User Skill and Training Needs Document. Hand in to your instructor your Midpoint Peer Assessment form (on paper, one per group, signed by all members).  Note: With over half the course completed, your group should be functioning well and everyone feeling comfortable with what has been accomplished and how the remainder of the work will be completed. Talk out your concerns with one another. Contact your instructor if conflicts cannot be resolved within your group.

Mar 12

Begin Implementation.  You have four weeks left.  Continue writing report for sections covered to date in lectures. Start planning and rehearsing in-class presentation.

  Mar 19

  Mar 26

Complete Prototype over the next two weeks.  Document for yourselves your testing progress.  Continue writing report for sections covered to date in lectures. Begin writing user documentation of prototype application. Submit Progress Report #3 (via course website).

  Apr 9

Project presentations this week. Complete remaining sections of report. Design and submit Client Evaluation Form that later will be filled in by your client.
If possible, obtain client sign-off on your group-designed Client evaluation form. Review final report and complete finishing touches.

Apr 16

Submit completed project Final Report and prototype files (with Final Peer Assessment Form signed by all group members and your application evaluation form signed by your client, if possible)and signed Client evaluation form.