Project Charter - Managing IT Projects Course
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Establish measurable IT industry readiness to successfully apply for and interview for entry-level data management or enterprise systems management positions by December 2025. This project will help familiarize me with standard industry expectations, knowledge, and skills, as well as serving as tangible evidence of my relevant training, knowledge application, and first foray into establishing my professional profile and career.My personal mission is to obtain my first entry-level job data management or enterprise systems management job by December of this year. This project supports that mission by ensuring I am in an optimal position of career familiarity and readiness to fulfill professional IT expectations and demands by the time of acceptance.
My vision is to become a respected leader in data management and enterprise resource planning, known for adaptable, scalable solutions and excellent client relationships while staying current with system developments. These skills will directly transfer to data management contexts where system integration, troubleshooting, and stakeholder communication are essential.
This project strategically addresses key SWOT elements to advance my vision. It leverages Strengths by demonstrating ability to deliver quality and adaptable work that fulfills industry benchmarks. It capitalizes on Opportunities by systematically building industry relationships and gaining current market intelligence about data management trends. It directly addresses Weaknesses by ensuring I meet baseline industry expectations and showcasing technical competency. The project's documentation focus particularly aligns with data management careers, where clear communication about system processes and stakeholder needs is fundamental to success.
My career will be benefited by this project through this serving as a powerful introduction and demonstration of my personal compatibility and aptitude for entry-level data management and enterprise systems management positions. Through this, I will be better equipped to start off my career on a strong basis and access/utilize numerous opportunities that will subsequently emerge through my effort and established professional network.
I will receive enhancements to my problem solving skills, since this entire project is dedicated around identifying a problem, devising solutions, and applying those solutions in smaller, more dynamic and specific modules and sections. Additionally, I will gain personal satisfaction since once I complete this project, I will realize it is a larger project and be proud of myself for managing to stick it out and do the best work that I could.
I will learn valuable industry knowledge about IT, such as potential career choices, recommended training, and companies to look out for. Additionally, I will gain project management experience and training, since this entire project is centered around such. Furthermore, I will improve on my technical skills, since I have to create a viewable and professional database, a fully functional and interactable website with HTML, and a report on what resources I used and their value.
| Stakeholder | Category | Role/Interest | Power | Interest | Engagement Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA | External | Organization responsible for overseeing, defining, and awarding industry certifications (i.e., CompTIA A+) | High | Low | Keep satisfied, Manage and Check Regularly — fulfill any prerequisite documentation, vetting, or training they might need, while also regularly checking communications they have sent. Also, I will refer to official resources and policies to ensure compliance with standards and expectations. |
| Professor Espinoza | External | Academic mentor and potential source of professional insight and contacts | High | High | Manage closely by regularly attend class, ask questions and for feedback, show her my work. Additionally, contact her via posted contact information on syllabus regarding information within project management. |
| Older Sister | External | Personal confidant and informal guide to navigating job market | Low | High | Spend time with her and tell about my struggles, successes, and status. Leverage usage of technology like cell phones, email, and instant messaging to provide real-time updates, insights, and opinions on my work. Meet up if possible and vent. |
| Father | External | Provider for household, financial sponsor, and source of professional mentorship and personal growth | Low | Low | Monitor and offer insights into my work, as well as explaining what it actually is and importance in layman's terms. Ask for him to teach relevant and valuable soft and hard skills learned from work. Inform him about critical decisions within my life (i.e., financial decisions, academic developments), and gain support (i.e., if he needs to sign off on something) |
| Future Employers | External | Professional organizations that will evaluate my compatibility with offered positions and see value in my professional development. | High | Low | Keep satisfied and Engage — Reach out regarding questions, issues, and relevant commentary on positions, expectations, work environment, and more. Share relevant professional developments and stories with them, and also tailor personal objectives and skills for them. |
| Myself | Internal | Ensuring this project is done to my best ability, so I can be better equipped for first job and personal growth. | High | High | Keep Accountable, Organized, and Relevant — Set structured system of tasks to accomplish, means to accomplish them, and deadlines. Keep those set in accessible and clean central repository, categorized by purpose and topic. Additionally, regularly note how it contributes to the greater project's completion. |
| Deliverable Name | Type | SMART Description | Definition of Done |
|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ Practice Exam | Tangible | Preparation for professional certification providing foundational IT knowledge essential for data management roles, covering systems integration, troubleshooting, and security fundamentals. Contains two exams - Core 1 V15 and Core 2 V15. Should be obtained around November 14th at latest . | • Obtain confirmation score about completion • Verify screenshot of final result • Downloadable PDF of screenshot viewable and accessible • Document how certification knowledge applies to data management contexts |
| Data Management Portfolio Website | Tangible | Professional website written in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, hosted by GitHub, report, showcasing data management capabilities through functional database examples, project documentation, and industry insights. Delivered around November 14th at latest. | • Stakeholder consent given to publish relevant data • Accessible on mobile and computer browsers • Includes working database examples and data visualization • Page loads under 2 seconds on 4G • Code compiles with no severe issues • Demonstrates data organization and management principles |
| Professional Network Database | Tangible | Using Google Sheets, AirTable, Firebase, or Notion to manage professional data management relationships and insights from conversations. Include 4-5 active professionals, finished by November 14th, accessible through website. | • Consent of professional contacts obtained • Accessible on mobile and computer devices • Focuses specifically on data management professionals • All portions viewable with correct display |
| Resource Utilization Report | Tangible | Summary and analysis of resources used during project for personal insight and understanding of current situation and future paths. Microsoft Word, MLA format, accessible via website. Delivered by November 14th. | • Documents time accessed, medium, purpose, crediting • Follows proper MLA format and citations • Organized by date, format, topics • Has sufficient backups and recovery measures • Reviewed by at least two classmates |
Integrated Job Screening Process | Tangible | To streamline the process of preparing, tailoring, and submitting applications for data management and enterprise systems roles, ensuring both high-quality application materials and documented evidence of submitted applications. | • Completed set of three tailored resumes and cover letters for targeted entry-level roles within Data Management and Enterprise Systems • Resume highlights technical, troubleshooting, and systems integration skills • Cover letter demonstrates fit with data management capabilities and requirements, aligning with career goals and transferable skills • LinkedIn profile updated with certification, portfolios, website, newly acquired skills, and project achievements • At least three qualified job applications submitted and tracked in application log, including company name, job title, submission date, research notes, requirement alignment, and follow-up status • Confirmation emails, screenshots, or recruiter correspondence saved as evidence of completion |
| Interview Preparation Portfolio | Tangible | Professional portfolio demonstrating technical capabilities and project management experience for data management interviews. Include website showcase, certification evidence, and talking points. Ready by December 1st. | • Portfolio accessible via tablet/laptop for interviews • Includes 2-3 minute presentation outline • Technical questions and answers prepared • STAR method examples documented for behavioral questions • Practice interview completed with career services or contact |
| Networking Action Plan | Tangible | Strategic plan for leveraging professional network to generate job leads and referrals. Include contact outreach schedule, referral requests, and relationship maintenance strategy. Executed throughout November-December. | • Outreach plan for all 4-5 professional contacts created • At least 2 contacts approached for job leads or referrals • Follow-up schedule established for relationship maintenance • Documentation of network expansion efforts • Evidence of at least 1 job lead or referral generated |
| Item Description | Quantity | Rate/Unit Cost | Total Hours | Subtotal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LABOR COSTS | |||||
| IT Student/Developer | 1 | $0.00 | 160 | $0.00 | Primary development work |
| Research & Documentation | 1 | $0.00 | 20 | $0.00 | CompTIA research, report writing |
| Testing & Quality Assurance | 1 | $0.00 | 8 | $0.00 | Cross-browser testing, validation |
| LABOR SUBTOTAL | 188 | $0.00 | |||
| EQUIPMENT/SOFTWARE COSTS | |||||
| CompTIA A+ Core 1 Practice Exam (220-1101) | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Take free exams via ExamCompass.com | |
| CompTIA A+ Core 2 Practice Exam (220-1102) | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 | See above section | |
| Visual Studio Code | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Free IDE | |
| Git/GitHub | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Free version control | |
| Browser Dev Tools | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Built-in testing tools | |
| EQUIPMENT/SOFTWARE SUBTOTAL | $0.00 | ||||
| MATERIALS COSTS | |||||
| CompTIA A+ Study Guide (Digital) | 1 | $45.00 | $45.00 | Official certification guide | |
| Practice Test Software | 1 | $29.99 | $29.99 | MeasureUp or similar | |
| Stock Photos/Icons | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Unsplash/free resources | |
| Documentation Templates | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Free online templates | |
| MATERIALS SUBTOTAL | $74.99 | ||||
| SERVICES COSTS | |||||
| GitHub Pages Hosting | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Free static site hosting | |
| Domain Name (optional) | 1 | $12.99 | $0.00 | Using GitHub subdomain instead | |
| W3C Validation Service | 1 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Free HTML/CSS validation | |
| Professional Networking Events | 2 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Institution-sponsored events | |
| SERVICES SUBTOTAL | $0.00 | ||||
| TOTAL DIRECT COSTS | 188 | $74.99 | |||
| CONTINGENCY (20%) | $15.00 | Risk mitigation buffer | |||
| TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET | 188 | $89.99 | Complete project cost | ||
| Task Category | Hours | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA Research & Study | 60 | Personal Dev | Exam preparation |
| HTML/CSS Development | 50 | Skill Building | Web development practice |
| JavaScript Programming | 30 | Skill Building | Interactive features |
| Database Development | 20 | Skill Building | Contact management |
| Report Writing & Research | 25 | Academic | Documentation skills |
| Testing & Quality Assurance | 15 | Professional | Quality standards |
| Documentation | 15 | Professional | Process documentation |
| Professional Networking | 8 | Career Dev | Industry connections |
| TOTAL TIME INVESTMENT | 233 | Career Growth | Skill development value |
| Risk | Impact | Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Risk #1: Practice Exam Failures | $0.00 | Potential retake costs |
| Risk #2: Technical Learning Curve | 40 hrs | Additional development time |
| Risk #3: Scope Creep | 20% | Feature expansion risk |
I chose the predictive methodology because: 1) I have already set requirements for the deliverables and how/what must be done; 2) have already stated in a previous submitted assignment of Deliverables how I will turn in all in at the same time; 3) I already have identified and planned for risks early on; and 4) I plan to document everything related to my journey in this project extensively, in due part to several of my deliverables requiring specific dates and details about personal involvement and application of relevant data and sources used.
My core deliverables are well-defined and unlikely to change, given the certification requirements and technical specifications already established. However, the job application and networking components require iterative refinement based on market feedback and professional input. This hybrid aspect fits within the Predictive framework as the technical deliverables follow a traditional waterfall approach, while the career-focused deliverables incorporate feedback loops. The compressed timeline and need for coordinated delivery of technical components support the Predictive methodology choice.
I will deliver once at the end, because a majority, if not all, of the deliverables will be viewable and accessible on my personal HTML website. If not on the website, it will be presented separately but also at the same time as the website. Multiple releases would not work, since the deliverables themselves are reliant on the other one being completed for proper quality and accuracy.
This diagram represents my chosen methodology of Predictive because: 1) it has extensive upfront planning; 2) single delivery in that it will all be delivered at the same time (Week 11 or 12); 3) extensive Documentation being indicated in all the weeks from planning and throughout execution for various deliverables; 4) requirements are clearly specified and not changed after initial definition.
I tested Monday.com, Asana, SmartSheet, and Excel.
After evaluating multiple project management platforms, I selected Excel as the primary tool for this project. During the evaluation process, Asana presented technical barriers during account setup, specifically within their organizational onboarding workflow, which prevented successful platform access. SmartSheet demonstrated functionality issues with template accessibility and editing capabilities, limiting its practical application for project requirements. Monday.com provided seamless integration with existing Google account credentials and demonstrated reliable functionality across all tested features. However, Smartsheet required a trial and eventual subscription to continue editing and finishing my work, so I decided to use Excel due to it being a complimentary software program given by my college enrollment.
This platform aligns effectively with the selected Predictive methodology through several key capabilities. The system provides comprehensive cell management for each project phase and process, enabling systematic tracking of all deliverables. Shortcuts support the change management requirements inherent in Predictive approaches through streamlining tedious processes. It was simple to export my Project Timeline and Task Tracker created on Smartsheet to the Excel, and update my Work Breakdown Structure based off of them. The platform's integrated timeline visualization, status tracking, project dashboards, and progress metrics facilitate the detailed planning and monitoring essential for successful Predictive project execution. Additionally, the interface is a familiar one to me, given that I have spent years working on previous courses' projects with this software.
In terms of cost considerations, a service being Free or it being paid impacts my choice, in that I am more likely to use the Free version, since I am a college student with not a lot of expendable income. And if the Free version offers the functions and features I need for my work, albeit with limitations, I will take it, so long as I can do my work adequately within the limitations. If not, I look for another free alternative.
Within the Excel, my project is split into various accessible pages: 1. Task Tracker; 2. Tasks Due; 3. Project Dashboard; 4. WBS by Phase; 5. Project Timeline; and 6. Tasks by Status. For the purposes of this activity, it will pertain to Task Tracker and Project Timeline. Tasks by Status is divided into various columns, where the first column details the Phase number or specific greater component of my project each task or step is within. The title of the phase is next to the box indicating Phase Number, and for each box successively under the title, it details what each task is going to do. The column to the right describes in detail how to better achieve that task, and to the right is who the task is assigned to, in this case, me. To the right of the assigned person is the in-progress status, whether the task is "Complete" or "In Progress" or "Not Started", and to the right of that is the percentage complete metric indicating how far are you into completing the task with the maximum being 100%. To the right shows the start and end dates for each phase and task, with the duration column to the right summarizing totals days needed for each.
Project Timeline is similarly structured to the Tasks by Status, with the entire project and timeline divided into various "Phases" wherein the major project steps and components are fulfilled. Phase 1 is Initiation, Phase 2 is Design, Phase 3 is Delivery, and Phase 4 is Closing. Each phase except for Delivery labels the major task in the box under the Phase Name, and in Delivery, the Phase Name is given but it is further divided into Deliverables (materials that must be completed for the project), Work Packages (critical processes of the materials), and the Tasks themselves within the Work Packages that fulfill Work Packages.
What surprised me was how time-consuming and tedious Excel was, since my work was previously on Spreadsheet, so I had to format the data to look pleasant and legible on Excel. Additionally, I had to synthesize all the prior information I had about methodology and work breakdown structures so it would fit within the structure of Excel. It was easier than expected to make the visual layout of the Excel look and feel professional, since there are many templates, but it was harder than expected to ensure that Excel would recognize and accept what I wrote, while still looking good, since there is a lot of data to check and validate.
Overall, project progress has been steady and consistent with task scheduling, project phase structure, and benchmarks. I was able to finish one deliverable this week, the Professional Network Database, while also making significant breakthroughs within the Resource Utilization Report and Networking Outreach Plan. There were some issues encountered like what deliverable components to prioritize and fears of scope creep during resource analysis for the report, such as opportunity to include more resources for increased information fidelity, but they have been resolved now through extensive reflection and conceptualizing a day-to-day task structure and more detailed roadmap.
| Milestone | Target Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Taking the COMPTIA A+ Practice Exam for free on ExamCompass.com (already extensively studying via various free, accessible resources implemented into my Self-Training) | 11/08/2025 | ✅ ON TRACK |
| Updating Follow-Up Schedule and Outreach plan by including extended documentation on my efforts, contributions on both our ends, outcomes, and current progress. | 11/04/2025 | ✅ ON TRACK |
| Concluding access and assessment of the remaining six resources to provide sufficient analysis necessary to complete the Resource Utilization Report. | 11/05/2025 | ✅ ON TRACK |
Risk (MED Severity): Potential Scope Creep and Time Inefficiency within Resource Utilization Report Preparation
Mitigation: This past week, I faced an issue of how to select, prioritize, and accept a limited number of resources for my final Resource Utilization Report. While I did narrow down the list from last week's larger pool, there were still considerable remaining amounts (about 20). Additionally, the broad application of my project goals being to prepare myself for entry level Data or Enterprise Systems Management positions, in addition to their dynamically changing roles and presence within the workforce, meant that from those 20 resources, I could delve deeper and deeper into their specific expectations, and also that I would end up in a never-ending rabbit hole of what could be "useful". Knowing this and the fact that less than five weeks remain until the semester, I doubled down on filtering only for the "important", with the factors for inclusion including: 1) being immediately accessible and applicable; 2) easy-to-learn; and 3) relatively little time needed to understand them. As such, I ended up with 16 resources in which 7 of which are technical tools needed for project deliverables, 3 of them were about hands-on industry training, 4 were about industry research and career intelligence, and 2 were about best formatting practices for the report itself. While the Scope Creep has been addressed, I am concerned about the remaining time in this semester, as these resources can take a long time to completely access and understand.
Description: The Expand All Button on the upper left hand corner of the Project Charter page has been removed. This is because it looked inconsistent and distracting from the button nearby that opened the Project Navigation Panel and was made obsolete by the button in the bottom right that already expands every section.
Reason / Impact: This change was necessary to ensure optimal UX and UI, since it was a generic grey button with different text from the entire charter that proved distracting and obsolete. If I did not do this, users would have been confused and questioning the structure of my webpage, and thus, my legitimacy as its author, since it is a very easy thing to make more visually consistent or remove entirely.
Description:I have now adjusted the week scheduling so that Week 11 is correctly assigned to 10/26/2025-11/3/2025, instead of being assigned to Week 10. I made a mistake last week and forgot to change that timeframe to October 19-25 for Week 10.
Reason / Impact:By doing this, I have ensured proper timekeeping and consistency within my status reports, so that the audience will not be left confused and questioning the legitimacy/consistency of my charter, since it is an easy thing to keep track of. As such, this status report has been made more organized, accurate, and reflective of the changes made over the past week.
What methodology was chosen for this project?