18/03/2012 - Progress: Design Phase 1 Complete.

To date, the project is progressing well, however a there have been a few minor setbacks which have had a negative impact on the project schedule.

Research and preparation has been carried out for the project initiation meeting with the project sponsor. Whilst the project has been discussed with the sponsor, and they have had input thus far, this will be an opportunity to formalise and reach agreement on aspects such as the definitive requirements and functionalities of the final product, review mock-up screens and register any feedback. A meeting date has not yet been set due to commitments with other course work. If possible, the meeting will be arranged in the next week.

Over the past month my home computer has broken several times and has had to be sent away for repairs. As part of good project management practices such eventualities were accounted for and mitigation plans put in place. The absence of a computer suitable for running the hardware and software required for this project has delayed work on development phase 1 (see project plan). Two prototypes were due to be completed by the end of March; however this is not possible due to hardware issues. To mitigate the impact this has had on the project schedule focus was shifted to the written aspects of the project which could be completed.

Therefore, the majority of the design phase 1 has been completed meeting several project objectives (see action plan) and yielding two deliverables: the requirements analysis results and the definitive list of HCI conventions for testing. As part of this, detailed storyboards and wireframe diagrams have been drawn up which also demonstrate how the HCI can, and will, be tested. These will be brought to the next meeting with the project sponsor in order to obtain their feedback and acceptance of the interface design.

Further delays to the project are expected as all hardware issues have yet to be resolved. Work will still be carried out as per the project plan where possible but tasks and deliverable completion dates will need to be altered to accommodate this. Currently the project is approximately two weeks behind schedule. As part of good project management practice the risk of delays was incorporated in to the project plan: the project was due to finish four weeks ahead of schedule. Therefore, whilst it is a considerable blow to the project schedule it is believed this will not put the project at risk of not completing before the project deadline.

Once the project initiation meeting is complete work will continue on aspects of the project that do not require specialist software such as testing plans, project documentation and finalised screen designs.