Creating a Stable and User-Friendly Streaming Solution for Educational Training Videos

The Project

The aim of this project is to create a stable, effective and user-friendly streaming solution, which will allow educational training videos and games to be deployed over the internet.  For this Pilot Project, the Board has decided to begin by deploying Content Delivery Network (CDN) nodes in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne.  The pilot sites should be delivered in the same order as discussed in the previous sentence.

In addition to the streaming systems, you will need to implement a range of other elements.  A preliminary technical architecture has been developed for this system.  This architecture and some descriptions of key system elements are available through the LMS under the Assessment heading.  The file is called ‘EduStream Technical Architecture Overview’.  You will need to ensure that you understand this architecture.

To implement this project, the following important issues will need to be addressed:

• The Board is still not convinced that this will be a viable solution.  The materials that you provide in this Assignment will, therefore, have to be detailed and convincing, or you may find yourself out of a job.
  
  
• You are not an expert in video streaming technologies, and there is no expertise related to these technologies within the company. Additionally, EdMI’s knowledge of establishing large scale web-front-ends and databases is minimal.  Consequently, you will need to engage one or more experienced contractor, who can coordinate/implement this solution under our control.  This identification and selection of contractors will be a high priority for your efforts.  When conducting this selection process, it is recommended that you implement a weighted analysis approach as a part of a Request for Tender (RFT) preparation process.  This weighted analysis approach will be discussed during the Topic 2 Workshop.
  
  
• EdMI is not a dedicated technology company.  Consequently, setting up ‘green-fields’ (all new) data centres and systems is beyond our core business.  For this reason, outsourcing will be important.  Consequently, you will need to identify appropriate Data Centres in each of the pilot cities, and a Call Centre that you can use to provide support.  You may also want to think about aspects such as leasing of equipment to help minimise up-front costs.
  
  
• At the end of the project, we will need to ensure that EdMI can maintain and manage the EduStream system that is created.  This may mean that we need to bring skills and Intellectual Property (IP) into the company or set up reliable relationships with other organisations, who can do this for us.

Instructions This first assignment comprises a set of individual tasks. In other words, you need to complete these elements of the assignment as your own work. To do this task take the following steps within the recommended timeframes: Carefully read and understand the information provided in the 'Assignment 1 - Information Sheet'.

While doing this, review the videos provided at the links and understand the key terms. After reading the 'Assignment 1 - Information Sheet', carefully read and understand the 'EduStream Technical Architecture Overview' document. While completing Steps 1 and 2, fill in Section 5 of the Project Charter (PC).

Use the Project Assessment Workbook to complete the Weighted Analysis and NPV, Payback and ROI calculation. Follow the instructions provided on the 'Read Me First - Instructions' worksheet in this workbook, which explains how to complete these tasks quickly and effectively. Work on your Project Charter during Topic Week 3 and complete the draft of Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2 and 4 during this week. Start developing your WBS using the instructions provided in the

Assignment 1 - How to Develop your WBS' document. Finalize the Project Management Plan including the predecessors and timings for your WBS by applying the techniques explained in the 'How to Develop your WBS', the Topic 4 Workshop. The Project tool must be used to build the WBS. Carefully proofread all of your materials, so they can be developed to meet industry standards. Upload the finalised documents into the LMS as specified in the 'Assignment 1 - Information Sheet'.