Project Charter

Clear LakeVenues

Scope:

The project will provide the community in the ClearLake and surrounding areas to search and review local bars, restaurants, and music venues via the web.

Project Sponsor:

Mohammad A. Rob, Ph. D.

Executive Sponsors(s):

Mohammad A. Rob, Ph.D.

Summary Situation:

Currently, the city search engines on the web allow users to retrieve information about music events and restaurants throughout the Houston metropolitan area. ClearLake’s growing population is requiring the need to provide more detailed information about local events and entertainment in their specific area. Implementing a robust and user friendly search engine will enable ClearLake’s community the ability to access specific and relevant information about their local entertainment and not have to decipher through excessive search result information from larger city search engines.

Current issues identified by the local community include:

  • Limited information about local events and entertainment
  • Communication gaps between local bar owners and their customers
  • Not enough information on cost/schedules of music venues
  • Growing population in the area requiring additional web applications specific to their needs
  • Difficulty in advertising events/services to the local community

Anticipated Benefits:

Why are we doing this?

  • The system will enable the ClearLake community to review current and scheduled information about local events without having to search larger generic search engines.
  • Provide access to the local community, surrounding areas, and other web users
  • Implement an accurate method of acquiring and displaying relevant information to the community on the Clear Lake Venues web based application.
  • Provide greater amount of information specific to the local area by building relationships with local restaurant and bar owners
  • Improve efficiency to the users by only providing relevant search results
  • Assist local venues in advertising their events and services to the community

How will we measure results?

Reduction in time spent by users on the web when searching for local event information

Improved customer service and profits for local bar and restaurant owners due to increase in customers

Feedback through user provided comments

Statistical information based on searches through the system

Project Objectives & Features:

  • Provide a public web-based system that catalogs local bars, restaurants, sports, and music venues in the ClearLake area.
  • Provides a method that allows customers to search for a particular venue, and filter the results by categories and venue specific criteria.
  • Provides an authenticated method to allow customers to provide measurable feedback and comments on venues.
  • Allow users to subscribe to receive updates from selected venues.
  • Provides an authenticated method to allow venue owners and managers to upload information to the system.
  • Provide a method for raising revenue through ad-based services, and featured venues.
  • Provide a system for venue owners and managers to receive customer feedback through reports
  • Build relationships with larger business search providers to share information and user base.

Method/Approach:

The team will use a Phased Implementation approach to develop the system. The objectives will be to assign a management and execution team to manage the overall project and execute the project plan through system related documents.

Organization Teams:

Sponsor:Mohammad A. Rob, Ph.D.

Management: Rudy Tobias, Richard Meyer

Analysts:Ambarish Regmi, Gerrit Stroh

DevelopersShweta Satish, Lakshmi Preetha

OrganizationRoles & Responsibilities:

Executive Project Sponsor: Mohammad A. Rob, Ph.D.

Project Manager: Rudy Tobias

Systems Architect: Richard Meyer

Business Analyst: Ambarish Regmi

Systems Analyst: Gerrit Stroh

Database Analyst: Shweta Satish

Developer: Lakshmi Preetha

Deliverables:

  • Document the project charter
  • Document the planning documents (scope, project organization, schedule, etc.)
  • Collect data by identify and catalog local bars, restaurants, and music venues
  • Design the information system
  • Develop a web based application
  • Present, to Executive Sponsor, a plan that includes recommendations and associated actions

Project Plan:

The following is a summary of the plan for completing the design:

The team through collaboration will:

  • document the project documentation
  • design the system,
  • develop the system
  • test the system,
  • plan and validate process design and workflow,
  • evaluate and perform web page(s) redesign as needed,
  • design and validate interfaces as needed,
  • build and validate a security design that will protect sensitive data,
  • make appropriate adjustments,
  • update project documentation as needed,
  • coordinate training efforts,
  • move the design to production.

Risks / Impacts:

  • Competition for local event information
  • Willingness of local venue owners to actively participate and share information
  • Enough events to keep the site entertained.
  • Possible low interest in the local population
  • Unknown economic conditions
  • Potential layoffs for local large businesses could impact local venues

Technical Feasibility:

  • Low risk
  • To gain competitive advantage with this web-based system
  • Major information gathering from the local venues required
  • Time consuming
  • Co-operation of all the participants required on a regular basis
  • Considerable staff dedication required

Organizational Feasibility:

  • Low level of risk
  • The system’s goal is
  1. User satisfaction
  2. Increased revenue

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