CASE STUDY

Trans LAN Project

Trans Systems is a small, information systems consulting firm located in Meridian, Louisiana. Trans has just been hired to design and install a local area network (LAN) for the city of Meridian's social welfare agency. You are the manager for the project, which includes one Trans professional and two interns from a local university. You have just finished a preliminary scope statement for the project (see below). You are now brainstorming potential risks associated with the project.

Project Scope Statement: Objective: To design and install a new local area network (LAN) within one month with a budget not to exceed $90,000 for the Meridian Social Service Agency and with minimum disruption to ongoing operations.

Deliverables:

• 20 Workstations and 20 laptop computers
• Server with dual-core processors on Windows R2 server and workstation operating system (Windows 7)
• Migration of existing databases and programs to new system
• Four hours of introductory training for client's personnel
• 16 hours of training for client network administrator
• Fully operational LAN system

Milestones:

• Hardware by Jan 22
• Setting users' priority and authorization by Jan 26
• In-house whole network test completed Feb 1
• Client site test completed Feb 2 and Training completed by Feb 16

Technical Requirements:

• Workstations with 17-inch flat panel monitors, dual-core processors, 4GB RAM, DVD +RW, wireless card, Ethernet card, 500 GB Hard disk laptops with 12-inch display and similar specs to workstations
• Wireless network interface cards and Ethernet Connections
• System must support Windows Vista/Windows 7 platforms
• System must provide secure external access for field workers' constraints
• On-site work to be done after 8 pm and before 7 am (Mon - Sat)
• System maintenance and repair only up to one month after final inspection
• Warranties transferred to client
• Only responsible for installing software designated by the client. Client will be billed for additional training beyond that prescribed in the contract. Customer Review: Director of the city of Meridian's Social Service Agency
• Read the case study carefully and answer the following questions:

1. Identify potential risks associated with this project. Try to come up with at least five different risks.

2. Develop a Risk Assessment Matrix that accurately calculates the likelihood, impact, and opportunity associated with the risks that you have identified.

3. Make an action plan that appropriately responds to these risks.