Central Michigan University IT Decision Paper You will develop an IT Decision Paper, using the outline below.Each of the topics to be included in your outl

Central Michigan University IT Decision Paper 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. BEFORE U BEGIN>>> SEE ATTACHMENT PLEASE
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.
I HAVE ATTACHED Inventory of Current IT Projects in Part 1 of your ITSP and the IT Portfolio in
Part 2 of your ITSP for reference… and the assignment requirement under Decision paper
assignment
Assignment
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.
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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.)
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,
(2) how the proposed project aligns to the IT strategies in Part 2 of your ITSP.
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.
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
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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:
o Business/user requirements
o IT/system requirements
o At least one system performance requirement
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.
Performance Measures – This section explains how GGFRT will know whether the project is
achieving the benefits identified above in section 5.First, present the table with a brief
paragraph discussing the solution, table that follows, and to properly evaluate benefits, they
should be measurable/quantifiable.Review the benefits, and look at the requirements you
identified, and come up with three (3) performance measures that will indicate the extent to
which the projected benefits have been achieved.(For example, if you had identified a benefit
that the project would result in more repeat customers, then a measurement for that would
be the number of repeat customers with the goal that the number would increase.)Refer to
course content readings on Performance Measurement.This may be a good area to do some
web research.The measures should be presented in a table with an introductory sentence or
two:
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.
Your proposed project must be aligned directly with at least one business strategic objective and one
IT strategy shown in your ITSP.
Refer to the Inventory of Current IT Projects in Part 1 of your ITSP and the IT Portfolio in Part 2 of
your ITSP.
Please copy/paste the following table into your paper and complete it:
Business Strategic Objective/Explanation of
Benefit (Spring 2019)
Alignment of Benefit to Business Strategic
Objective
Example:do not use but leave it in the table Tracking freight to provide customers with better
when completing this section.
delivery dates & times
If the project is updating the Route
This real-time feature of package status will allow
Optimization/Freight Tracking System to
both customers and GGFRT employees to see
include a package tracking feature: Better
where the package is, while in transit.This will allow
visibility for GGFRT and its customers into the the customer to know where/when the package will
delivery status of packages.
be delivered.
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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:
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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.
Is achievable and realistic; avoids terms such as “100% uptime,” or “no failures”.
Do not provide generic statements but relate to the needs of GGFRT and your project.
Please copy/paste the following table into your paper and complete it:
Requirement/Explanation of the Requirement (explanation
should refer to the case study) (Spring 2019)
Business/User; IT/System or
System Performance (state one
or more of these categories)
Example:do not use but leave it in the table when
completing this section.The Route Optimization/Freight
Tracking System package status must be available to users
24/7/365.
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Assessment of Project Size and Complexity (Spring 2019)
Size/Complexity
Small
Medium
Large
Very Complex
Moderately Complex
Straightforward
Benefit to Business (stated
from section #5) (Spring 2019)
Measure (quantifiable)
System Performance
Example:do not use but leave Reduction in the number of packages returned for next-day
it in the table when completing delivery because of more efficient scheduling as customers can
this section.
also reschedule packages when they see delivery status; or,
Better visibility for GGFRT and its Increase in the number on same-day deliveries due to better
customers into the delivery status communication between GGFRT dispatchers, drivers and
of packages.
customers.
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Formatting Your Assignment
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In the CIO Memo assignment, you are preparing the document based on the feedback from
the second assignment and scoring rubric.
Continue to use a title page from the ITSP #1 assignment that includes:The company name,
title of assignment, your name, Course and Section number and date.
Use the outline format in the assignment instructions above, for these sections:
Write a short concise paper:Use the recommendations provided in each area for length of
response.It’s important to value quality over quantity.
Content areas should be double spaced; table entries should be single spaced.
To copy a table:Move your cursor to the table, then click on the small box that appears at
the upper left corner of the table to highlight the table; right click and COPY the table; put the
cursor in your paper where you want the table and right click and PASTE the table.
Ensure that each of the tables is preceded by an introductory sentence that explains what is
contained in the table, so the reader understands why the table has been included.
Begin a Reference Page for resources required for this assignment.Use APA format for your
reference page.
Running headers are not required for this report.
Writing should always be in third person.
Compare your work to the Grading Rubric below to be sure you have met content and quality
criteria.
Submit your paper as a Word document, or a document that can be read in Word.Keep
tables in Word format – do not paste in graphics.
Your submission should include your last name first in the
filename: Lastname_Firstname_IT Decision
Project Description
Strategic Alignment
IT Portfolio Roadmap Alignment
IT Architecture
Benefits
Requirements
Cost Estimation
Performance Measures
System Development
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Use at least two resources with APA formatted citation and reference.Any course content
should be from the class reading content, not the assignment instructions or case study
itself.For information on APA format, refer to Content>Course Resources>Writing
Resources.
The “right” and “wrong” answers have to do with if you correctly incorporated the course concepts
from the course content and addressed all parts of the assignment. You need to do some external
research on at least one aspect of the assignment – your choice – and incorporate it and
cite/reference it in APA format in your response. The project you propose is not as important as that
it makes sense considering the course content and the Case Study.Use the Rubric below to be sure
you have covered all aspects of the assignment
Case Study: GG Freightways (GGFRT)
GGFRT is a regional transportation and distribution company in operation for over 30 years. The
company serves major cities in the southwestern region of the United States. Their headquarters
(1), terminals/warehouses (8) and maintenance facilities (2) are noted below.
Corporate Profile
Corporate Name: GG Freightways
Founded: August 1989
Headquarters: Los Angeles CA
Terminals/Warehouses (8): Los Angeles CA, San Diego CA, San Bernardino CA, Bakersfield CA,
Scottsdale AZ, Phoenix AZ, Tucson AZ, and Las Vegas NV
Maintenance Facilities (2): San Bernardino CA, Scottsdale AZ
Number of Employees: 750 (includes truck drivers)
Fleet: 400 delivery vehicles (average of 50 per terminal) which include: 80 tractor/semi-trailer units,
160 box trucks and 160 panel vans
Total Annual Gross Revenue: $35,000,000
Current economic climate: stable industry, highly competitive business environment, 6% profit
Future financial goals: 8% profit with 8% reduction in operating costs
President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Marissa Schmidt
To familiarize yourself with commonly-used shipping terms in the freight industry, visit this site
and refer to it as you read the case study and assignments:
http://www.shipnorthamerica.com/htmfiles/glossary/gloss_shipterms.html
Current Business Operations
GGFRT operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sales personnel (40 people, five per terminal) visit
prospective customers to outline company capability, services provided and costs. When a customer
decides to use GGFRT they call the dispatch office with shipment information. Usually they FAX a copy of
the bill(s) of lading to a terminal with information such as origin, destination, product description,
weight and number of packages.
A dispatcher at a terminal makes a list of freight pickups and sends a truck to get the freight. To do this
they use the routing/freight optimization system to determine the sequence of pickups by zip code.
They use local maps within a zip code to map out the specific order of pickups since there may be
several in a zip code area. They have a performance goal of 98% of freight picked up within 24 hours of
availability.
A driver follows the dispatch order for pickups. Many of the drivers complain that the pickup order is not
efficient. When they pick up an order they sign for receipt and either load the freight or guide the
customer’s forklift operators to arrange it properly in the truck.
After freight is picked up it is brought to the terminal where it is unloaded and sorted by destination. A
dispatcher then prepares a delivery ticket (again using the routing system) that is used to load a truck in
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the proper sequence for delivery. Some trucks take freight from one terminal to another while others
make local deliveries. Since some terminals are close to 12 hours away from each other, there are many
“out and back” routes where drivers meet halfway between terminals to exchange freight trailers, which
benefits drivers so they don’t exceed their permitted daily maximum driving hours of 11 per day. About
half of a terminal’s space is used on any given night. Dispatchers have a goal to turn freight around in
the terminal overnight for next day delivery.
When freight is sent out for delivery, the driver follows the delivery ticket order. Often, they are held up
at a delivery destination by traffic or by lack of available unloading space. This can cause the driver to be
late trying to make the day’s deliveries. Sometimes they get to a destination and the facility is closed
and they bring the freight back to the terminal for delivery the next day. It is unloaded and re-sorted by
destination. The dispatchers then add it to the next day’s delivery tickets.
The major freight volumes are between Phoenix, San Diego and Los Angeles (about 70% of total
volume). Trucks run at about 70% average of capacity between terminals. Local delivery volume is
heaviest in Los Angeles, followed by Phoenix and then San Diego. Local delivery trucks operate at about
80% full while pickups fill about half of the vehicles space. Some customers pick up and/or drop freight
at a terminal/warehouse, with their own equipment.
Truck drivers communicate with the dispatchers using two-way commercial radios. Some also carry
personal cell phones and use them if the radio is out of range. A few drivers also carry GPS devices to
help locate addresses. In general, the drivers are content with the company. Pay and benefits are good,
and they get overtime pay when deliveries run late. Complaints are few and mostly center around either
the sequence of pickup and delivery of shipments or vehicle maintenance.
The fleet is maintained at the main Scottsdale maintenance shop and at a smaller shop in San
Bernardino. Either one can handle minor maintenance and preventative work. Only Scottsdale can
perform major engine and transmission work. Overall the fleet is in good operating condition. All
vehicles are on a preventative maintenance schedule which places them out of service two days a
month, usually on weekends. Maintenance scheduling is a challenge because it can interfere with the
steady flow of shipments both between terminals and for local delivery. There are no “extra” vehicles in
the fleet.
Administration
The company management team consists of the President, Vice President of Operations, Chief Financial
Officer (CFO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), Sales Manager, and a Fleet Manager who oversees
maintenance and safety. They meet weekly to discuss opportunities and issues and to plan for future
goals. Except for the CIO, the management team has been in place for many years
The president of the company just hired its first Chief Information Officer (CIO), Lance, after the previous
IT Director retired. He comes from a nearby manufacturer who is also a major customer. At that
company he was Deputy CIO and primarily responsible for network operations and security.
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Business Strategic Objectives
At a recent meeting the management team decided to change the strategic plan for the business to
meet growth and cost goals. They highlighted three new strategies they want to employ to increase
profitability and grow the business.
1. First, they want to track the whereabouts of freight both in the terminals and on the trucks to
provide customers with accurate delivery dates and times;
2. Second, they want to improve the percent of loaded miles in their fleet to reduce costs by
coordinating the pickup and delivery of freight at the same time in the same geographic area;
and,
3. Third, they desire to provide warehousing services for customers who want to reduce delivery
time to their customers or company by having product available locally for pickup in warehouses
or quicker local delivery.
Federal/State Mandates
In addition, the management team wants to ensure that the company remains in compliance with all
applicable federal and state regulations. The ones they are most concerned about are:
1. The Sarbanes Oxley financial audit and reporting requirements;
2. A new federal requirement to conduct a vehicle safety check every 10,000 miles; and,
3. A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reporting requirement on the number
hours per day for each driver (or max per week, etc.).
CFO/CIO Goals
The CFO has been charged wit…
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