AS91897 (DT2.8) Pre-Learning

Section 2: Project Management Tools & Techniques

Developing a complex digital outcome requires structured planning. Project management is not a one-time setup; it is an active, ongoing process of setting milestones, tracking progress, and adapting when issues arise.

Merit Focus

Use project management tools effectively to monitor progress, update timelines, and manage resources throughout development.

Excellence Focus

Critically evaluate project management choices, showing how active tracking and key adjustments allowed you to overcome bottlenecks and deliver a successful digital outcome on time.

1. Core Reading & Concepts

A. Agile Methodology & Sprints

In digital technology, project management has shifted away from rigid "Waterfall" planning toward Agile methodology. Agile breaks a large project down into smaller, manageable work cycles called Sprints (typically 1–2 weeks long). At the end of each sprint, developers test their progress, collect feedback, and adjust their plans before starting the next phase. This prevents total project failure when bugs or changes happen mid-way through development.

B. Visual Task Tracking (Kanban Boards)

A Kanban Board (e.g., Trello or Jira) organizes tasks visually into columns: To Do, In Progress, and Done. This lets developers immediately see bottlenecks—such as having too many tasks stuck in "In Progress" at once—and reallocate time accordingly.

C. Timelines, Milestones, and Dependencies

Planning requires understanding three key timeline concepts:

  • Gantt Chart: A horizontal bar chart mapping every task against start and end dates.
  • Milestones: Key completion points in a project (e.g., "Wireframes Approved", "Database Connected").
  • Task Dependencies: Tasks that cannot begin until a prerequisite task finishes. For example, you cannot code page styling until HTML wireframes exist, and you cannot run SQL queries until the database schema is created.

2. Practical Task: Build Your Own Project Plan

Practice constructing a project management plan for a digital outcome (e.g., a school event website or mobile app). Add tasks, assign start/end weeks, specify prerequisites, and track their status below!

Task Name Sprint / Phase Dependency Status Action
Conduct End-User Surveys Sprint 1: Research & Wireframing None Done
Build HTML/CSS Layout Sprint 2: Front-End Coding Conduct End-User Surveys In Progress

3. Knowledge Check Quiz

Test your understanding of project management principles:

Score: 0 / 0

4. Excellence Reflection Practice

For NCEA Excellence, you must explain how adjusting your project management plan solved real development issues.