Software Corp. has been hired by the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz,
Germany to develop an online knowledge-sharing platform for its students. The
contract has been signed on the 27th of August 2001 and the project must be
completed by the 22nd of October 2001. This is due to the university’s promise
to provide the system before the semester’s first exams take place.
This proposal examines the details of the project in order to make it run
smoothly. It addresses the issues of the project’s scope, activities that have to
be conducted throughout the project, financial feasibility, scheduling, and the
project’s viability.
To sum things up, we consider the project as feasible and relatively easy to
realize. The timeframe is sufficient and the project will provide a return on
investment of about 39%, which is outstanding. The project’s risks can be
considered as relatively low. Providing the expected functionality will be a
challenge, but is definitely achievable because we have exactly the right people
and enough time to complete this task.
Table of Contents
1 The Project’s Scope
1.1 The Problem
1.2 Project Goals
1.3 Project Objectives and Deliverables
1.4 Most Important Stakeholders
1.5 Success Criteria
1.6 Assumptions and Risks
2 Work Breakdown Structure
2.1 Project Activities
2.2 Activity Relationships
2.3 Skills Required to Carryout the Tasks
3 The Business Case
3.1 Cost and Benefit Analysis
3.1.1 Cost estimate
3.1.2 Benefits
3.1.3 Return on Investment Analysis
3.2 Milestones
3.3 Gantt Chart
4 Viability
4.1 Technical Viability
4.2 Operational Viability
5 Conclusion
6 References
Project Goals and Scope
This project aims to develop a web-based knowledge-sharing platform for the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz. The primary research and development goal is to create an efficient, user-friendly system that allows students to upload and retrieve high-quality academic documents while utilizing a rating and incentive mechanism to maintain content quality and ensure system sustainability.
- Development of a dynamic knowledge-sharing platform using PHP and MySQL.
- Implementation of a credit-point incentive system to promote quality contributions.
- Establishment of a rating system to improve document accessibility and relevance.
- Optimization for high traffic loads during peak periods like exam seasons.
- Ensuring long-term technical and operational viability through scalable design.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 The Problem
At German universities students usually have to take notes in class, while professors talk and explain things. They then have to learn the relevant topics at home in order to know them for their exams. Of course, they are expected to do additional reading on the topics covered in class. Quite often professors’ knowledge does not reach students due to lack of attention in class or lack of efficient information sharing. Right now, only a few students take the time to create documents out of their private notes and their knowledge, gathered from additional reading and class attendance. Even fewer students publish their documents to other students and if they do so, the majority of their fellow students does not know about these documents. When a documents is shared, students always have to read it completely to judge the document’s quality.
Summary of Chapters
1 The Project’s Scope: Defines the current academic challenges at the university and outlines the specific objectives and success criteria for the proposed platform.
2 Work Breakdown Structure: Details the individual project phases, ranging from initial conceptualization and database design to final deployment and training.
3 The Business Case: Provides a comprehensive financial breakdown, including cost estimates, projected benefits, and a Return on Investment (ROI) analysis.
4 Viability: Assesses the project's technical feasibility through existing open-source technologies and addresses operational requirements to ensure user satisfaction.
5 Conclusion: Summarizes the overall feasibility and strategic value of the project as a foundation for future development and cooperation.
Keywords
Knowledge-sharing platform, Student resources, Project management, PHP, MySQL, ROI analysis, Academic efficiency, Web development, Stakeholder management, Information systems, Work Breakdown Structure, System viability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary purpose of this project?
The project focuses on developing an online knowledge-sharing platform for students at the Johannes Gutenberg University to facilitate the exchange of academic materials and study aids.
What are the main thematic pillars of this proposal?
The core themes include technical development of web infrastructure, financial feasibility analysis, project planning, and the implementation of incentive mechanisms for user contribution.
What is the core objective of the system?
The objective is to provide a fast, stable, and easy-to-use platform that improves the efficiency of information sharing among students, particularly in preparation for examinations.
Which methodologies are employed in the project?
The project follows standard IT project management practices, including a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), cost-benefit analysis, milestone tracking, and stakeholder influence mapping.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main sections cover project scope, technical and operational viability, detailed activity planning, and the financial business case.
How is the success of this project measured?
Success is determined by delivery within the specified timeframe, staying within the budget of EUR 52,174, and ensuring system stability and performance.
Why is a rating system integrated into the platform?
The rating system is designed to allow students to quickly identify high-quality, helpful documents, thereby filtering out irrelevant or low-quality content without needing to read every file.
How is the project's financial feasibility justified?
The project calculates a Return on Investment (ROI) of 39.3%, which significantly exceeds the company's required rate of return, making it an attractive business venture.
- Quote paper
- Andreas Thiel (Author), 2001, Proposal and Charter for a Knowledge-Sharing Platform, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/18249
