Dotcom_Case_Study

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Dotcom Case Study
The case described clearly indicates that Dotcom is experiencing a number of challenges in the execution of its projects. More particularly, the company is not conducting appropriate scope management which is one of the key success factors in the implementation of any project. In order to eliminate some of the challenges that the company is currently facing, it is appropriate to first increase the thoroughness with which it handles the project planning stage (Khan 1). It is clear that the planning phase is not being executed properly since the company’s project managers rush to discuss solutions and product features without initially conducting a thorough evaluation of the processes and operations conducted by the client. Additionally, if the company’s project managers observe that the clients do not possess sufficient information about what they want, they should be proactive and conduct an appraisal that will facilitate a comprehensive identification of the items to be included in the project scope.
Some of the problems that the company is currently going through can be attributed to its consulting clients. It was mentioned that most of the company’s clients are not tech savvies. Therefore, it is difficult for them to clearly identify the features and functions that they want Dotcom to integrate into the software packages that it prepares for them. This lack of knowledge causes them to understate or overstate the items that are included in the project scope.

An overstated or understated scope negatively affects the success rate of the project implementation process (Khan 4). If the client omits some information then the scope has to be expanded and if the client provides irrelevant information the scope has to be changed again.
While discussing with a client, it is appropriate to make him or her understand that it is important to provide precise and sufficient knowledge. If the client lacks technical information it would be advisable to make further consultations or better yet give the company the freedom to thoroughly evaluate the needs of the clients. In order to strike a perfect balance between freezing the project scope and completing the project on a timely basis, one has to ensure that all the important aspects of the project have been clearly understood mainly because freezing the exchange of information without adequate comprehension of the client’s needs might jeopardize the entire project (Khan 7). Configuration management and project change control are often difficult in the midst of Dotcom’s projects because the complex applications that the company builds will require alterations that are time-consuming and costly.
There are a number of lessons that can be learned from Dotcom’s case study about project management. The concept of project scope and its importance to the satisfaction of the stakeholders’ needs is one of the key learning points from this scenario. The quantity and quality of information shared between the client and the project manager dictate the success rate of the project and its ability to sufficiently fulfill its functions. One of the lessons learned regarding the use of technology is that the client needs to know the problems that can be solved by technology before requesting the development of applications to address the issue. Otherwise, the entire process might disrupt the operations of the client’s organization and result in extensive costs for the company developing the application. Consultation with technologically acclaimed people is advisable in this aspect.
Works Cited
Khan, Asadullah. “Project scope management.” Cost engineering 48.6 (2006): 12-16.