Developing an IT Decision Paper for GG Freightways (GGFRT)

Purpose of this Assignment

Before you begin this assignment, be sure you have read the “GG Freightways Case Study,” any feedback on your proposed IT project from your ITSP Part 2 assignment, and the previously assigned course materials.

This assignment gives you the opportunity to apply the course concepts to develop an IT Decision Paper to explain and defend an IT project at GG Freightways (GGFRT).  This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcomes to enable you to:

Apply best practices in information technology management and governance to make, defend, and justify an IT decision.

For your ITSP, Part 2, you proposed an IT project for GGFRT.  Lance, the CIO at GGFRT, has asked you to write an IT Decision Paper to explain your proposed project.  He wants to use the Paper to gain approval from the Governance Board to move forward with the project.  This assignment uses a format for a Decision Paper that has been tailored to the course material covered in this class.  You may work for an organization that has a format for IT decision papers, and it would be a good idea for you to look at it, but it will likely be structured a little differently from this one.  Each organization develops tools and techniques that will work for them. 

You will develop an IT Decision Paper, using the outline below.  Each of the topics to be included in your outline is covered in the course content readings assigned thus far.  In addition to the course materials, at least one external resource (resource other than those provided in the class) must be used.  Two or more cited references will earn top credit. Use a separate References page to list just the references you have cited.  Remember to use the APA formatting rules and correctly cite and reference your sources with APA format.  Use the Grading Rubric to be sure you have covered everything.  

Please use this outline to build your IT Decision Paper.  Use the numbering and headings shown below.

1.Project Description – In two or three sentences: 

    (1) describe the IT project you proposed for GGFRT in Part 2 of your ITSP.  

    (2) Describe what major function(s) the system would perform and who would use it.  (Do not provide a technical description with hardware, software, etc.)

2.Strategic Alignment – In a short paragraph: 

  (1) explain how the proposed project aligns to the business strategic objectives in Part 1 of your ITSP, and, 

IT Decision Paper for Your Proposed IT Project

  (2) how the proposed project aligns to the IT strategies in Part 2 of your ITSP.  

Your proposed project must be aligned directly with at least one business strategic objective and one IT strategy shown in your ITSP.  

3.IT Portfolio Roadmap Alignment – In a short paragraph:

  (1) Briefly explain where this project fits into the IT Portfolio Roadmap you included in Part 2 of your ITSP.  

  (2) What functional area does it support?  

  (3) Where should it be included in the timeline – i.e., should it take priority or be done before another project in the IT Portfolio?  

IT Architecture – In a short paragraph:

  (1) Briefly explain how this project fits in with other systems in place or in development at GGFRT.  

  (2) Explain whether it should interface with (share data of any kind with) other systems either in place or in development, what information is being shared, and its purpose.

  (3) Explain whether it replaces another system or multiple systems in use at GGFRT.  

5.Benefits: Describe at a high level three (3) benefits the project provides to GGFRT.  The benefits should correspond to the business strategies and the strategic alignment discussed in section 2 above.  State the Business Strategic Objective.  Then, discuss this relationship/alignment for each benefit to the Business Strategic Objective.  Refer to course content readings from Week 4 on Value Attainment.  External research may also be beneficial.

Requirements – List and briefly explain the high-level requirements for the project. First, explain the primary driver of the project (major need of the business area related to the project you have chosen), in a well-written introductory paragraph.  Refer to course content readings regarding requirements (Week 7).  External research may also be beneficial.  Requirements were also covered in IFSM 300 (the prerequisite to be taken prior to this course; in Stage 3 requirements you noted requirements; refer to this assignment for examples).  Develop ten (10) requirements for the project and include what category of the requirements below your presented requirements fit into:

b.IT/system requirements

c.At least one system performance requirement

Defining Requirements - The next step is to identify the essential requirements for your chosen project.  User requirements express specifically what the user needs the system to do.  This can be in terms of tasks/processes the users need to perform, data they need to input, what the system might do with that data input, and output required.   System performance requirements express how the system will perform in several performance areas and security.  IT/System requirements present what the system will do, the functions it must perform.  They include characteristics that a product must have to meet the needs of the stakeholders and can include function or nonfunction requirements. As a member of the CIO's organization, you will use your professional knowledge to ensure all 3 types of requirements are covered (User/Business, IT/System and System Performance.  Refer to Week 7 content on requirements.  Additional research can expand your knowledge of these areas. 

Once you have identified the 10 requirements, evaluate each one using the criteria below and create 10 well-written requirements statements for your chosen project.  

The requirement statement:

Is a complete sentence, with a subject (system) and predicate (intended result or action) 

Identifies only one requirement; does not include the words "and," "also," "with," and "or."

For User Requirements, states what tasks/processes the system will support or perform.

For System Performance Requirements, states how the system will perform.

For IT/System Requirements, states what the system will do., the functions it must perform.

Includes a measure or metric that can be used to determine whether the requirement is met (time or quantity), where appropriate.

Is stated in positive terms and uses "must" (not "shall," "may" or "should"); "the system must xxxx" not "the system must not xxx".

Avoids the use of terms that cannot be defined and measured, such as "approximately," "robust," "user friendly," etc.

7.Cost Estimation - During the Assessment Phase, Cost Estimation consists of estimating the size and complexity of the project, not the effort required or the actual projected dollar costs.  Copy the table below and place an X (or other indication) in the box that most closely describes the size and complexity of your proposed solution.  Use your judgment and then write a short paragraph to introduce and explain the assessments in your table.  Refer to course content readings from Week 4 on Cost Estimation, especially the Assessment Phase.

9.System Development - Describe how you will use the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) process to approach this project.  Include only the following 5 stages:  Plan, Design, Build, Test, Launch.  List the stage followed by a colon, then in two to three sentences each, explain how each stage would be handled by Lance’s IT team and who else in GGFRT should be involved in each stage. Refer to course content materials on SDLC in Week 8.