Instructions:
Your essays will be graded on content to include grammar and spelling. Each case should take 1-2 pages including diagrams. The essay answers for both #2 and #3 should be 500 to 700 words each, in order to completely answer the questions. Please submit as one document.
Assignment:
#1. Forest Point Construction (System Planning)
a. What is the correct total time?
The correct total time for this project is 31 days.
b. Create a Gantt chart that shows the WBS.
c. What is the critical path?
The critical path consists of the total project timeframe, the amount of time each task will take, and whether or not certain tasks are dependent on other tasks being completed …show more content…
Atrium Bio-Medical Supply, Inc. (System Analysis)
a. What options does Atrium have for acquiring a new system?
Atrium has three basic options when considering acquiring a new system. A system could be developed in-house utilizing Atriums own resources. The in-house option would depend on what systems are already in use, and depend on existing hardware and software. A software program could be purchased which suits Atriums needs generically, or a software package could be customized by Atrium to suit its business needs. Either way, the last two options could also be web-based which opens up a lot of possibilities. Web-based solutions could be the smartest route as they are more scalable, which suits growing companies.
b. What are the pros and cons of in-house development versus purchasing a …show more content…
Custom in-house systems can be expensive, time consuming to design, and are not always the easiest to scale up if need be. There is also the problem of in-house personnel being able to create the said system, and if expertise is lacking then third-party vendors may need to be brought in to design the said system. In-house designed software may also be harder to transfer to new platforms in the future which results in more costs.
Pros of purchasing Purchasing software systems can often be the best solution if it is affordable. Purchased systems can offer technical support, and often times customization. Purchased systems are often easier to scale-up, which is important. Purchased systems are also tested many times, and come with a higher degree of reliability. Time is money in business, and choosing a commercially developed system can often save time as well.
Cons of purchasing
While commercial systems are desirable in many ways, they often come with costs associated with technical support. Software maintenance could also be a potential problem with systems inaccessible due to scheduled maintenance