Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mrs. Holborow, and welcome to computing.

I'm so pleased you've decided to join me for the lesson today.

In today's lesson, we're going to be testing the effectiveness of developed products and then evaluating the success of a completed project.

Welcome to today's lesson from the unit "Using IT in Project Management." This lesson is called "Evaluating the Success of a Project," and by the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to test the effectiveness of developed products and the success of a completed project.

Shall we make a start? We will be exploring these keywords in today's lesson.

Let's take a look at them now.

Testing.

Testing: checking whether something is working as expected.

Evaluation.

Evaluation: reflecting on what has been done well and what could be improved.

Look out for these keywords throughout today's lesson.

Today's lesson is broken down into two sections.

We'll start by testing the effectiveness of developed products, and then we'll move on to evaluate the success of a completed project.

Let's make a start by testing the effectiveness of developed products.

When you developed the integrated system, we discussed how you would know whether the formulas and functions that were applied worked as intended.

You came up with ideas such: as adding data to see if the formulas update the values in the associated cells, and changing the day number or week number to see if the data was correct.

A testing table is a valuable tool for this.

Testing tables can be used to check that everything works properly in a digital tool.

A testing table includes: One, the test type; two, the expected results; three, the actual outcome of the test; and four, what changes were made as a result.

Let's have a look at this example testing table.

So you can see we have the headings we've just discussed.

So, the test number, description of the test, the expected result, the actual result, and any changes that need to be made.

Here, we've planned the first test.

So the test is going to be that the front page hyperlinks are accurate.

The expected result is that the hyperlink will take the user to the named sheet.

Okay, time to check your understanding.

I have a true or false statement for you.

Testing tables can be used to check that everything works properly in a digital tool.

Is this statement true or false? Pause the video whilst you have a think.

Did you select true? Well done.

But why is it true? Testing tables are used to check the functionality and accuracy of digital tools.

Let's have a look at this example.

So test one, remember, was to check that the hyperlinks on the front sheet take the user to the correct sheet in the workbook.

You will need to have the workbook open at the front sheet in order to be able to perform this test.

The expected result would be that you would be taken to the sheet you clicked on.

Click on the first hyperlink, which is "Stock." The test shows that the hyperlink works as intended, so no changes need to be made.

When I clicked on the hyperlink that said "Stock," it's taken me to the stock worksheet correctly.

Time to check your understanding.

What four things should a testing table include? Pause the video here whilst you have a think.

Did you manage to remember all of them? Well done.

Let's summarise the answer together.

So a testing table should include the test type, the expected results, the actual outcome of the test, and what changes were made as a result, if any.

Did you get all of those correct? Well done.

Okay, we are moving on to our first task of today's lesson, task A.

For part one, have your workbook open to see what areas, i.

e.

, the formulas and functions, can be tested.

For part two, identify 10 tests that you can carry out.

For part three, state what you expect to happen in these tests.

And then for part four, record the outcome of the test and what, if any, changes were made.

You could use a table format to organise your tests.

So here's an example template that you could use.

Pause your video here whilst you complete the task.

How did you get on? Did you manage to test your workbook? Well done.

Let's have a look at some sample answers together.

I have Aisha here, and she's got her test plan to share with us.

So let's have a look at this as a sample answer.

So, for test number one, the test was the front page hyperlinks are accurate.

The expected result is the hyperlink will take the user to the named sheet.

The actual result was that most hyperlinks take you to the named sheet, but there are some changes.

I forgot to hyperlink the last tab, "Annual sales," so I added that in.

Test two: Does the purchase say "yes" if the value in remaining stock is less than minimum stock? So the expected result is if the daily use column value is changed to reduce the remaining stock to less than the minimum, purchase more should say "yes." The actual result is this worked correctly across all cells, so no changes are needed.

Okay, let's have a look at some more examples.

This time we've got Andeep, who's done some tests.

So, Andeep's test number three was, on the sales sheet, does the total sold go over the amount available when you insert values in sold and online orders? The expected result is if the values entered go over the amount available, the total sold will say "too many" to indicate an error has occurred.

What was the actual result? So the actual result says "too many" shows in the correct cells when the values go over the amount available, so no changes are needed for this test.

For Andeep's test four, is the sales price displayed as a round number to one place? The expected result is the value displayed will be a sensible selling price.

The actual result was that the numbers didn't look like sensible selling prices.

So for changes, Andeep says, "I had to decrease the decimal places to two." Did you manage to complete all of your tests and record them in your test table? Remember, if you haven't quite done that yet, you can pause the video here.

So, we've tested the effectiveness of developed products.

Let's now move on to evaluate the success of a completed project.

Has the project been successful? Maybe pause the video whilst you think about that question.

How do you know whether you have met the user requirements outlined in the feasibility report you created during the initiation stage? We can use our SMART goals.

In the initiation stage, you created measurable SMART goals.

These should have been included in your time-focused plan using either a Gantt or PERT chart.

Can you remember what SMART stands for? Maybe pause the video whilst you have a think.

Did you remember what SMART stands for? Let's go through the answers together.

So, the S of SMART stands for specific.

The M stands for measurable.

The A stands for achievable.

The R stands for realistic.

And the T stands for timely.

Did you get all of those correct? Well done.

By looking back at your SMART goals and planning tool, you can see if you completed everything you set out to do.

Let's have a look at an example using a SMART goal.

So, using the ingredients listed on the project brief, create a stock control sheet for the workbook.

The time allowed for this task was 10 minutes.

Is it complete? Yes or no? You can use your Gantt chart and PERT charts to indicate that a task is complete.

This will help you to decide how well you have met the SMART goals and complete your final project evaluation.

So here you can see an example of my completed Gantt chart and a PERT chart below.

Remember to go back and revisit these and see if you met your original SMART goals.

The final evaluation is a summary of each stage of the project lifecycle.

It will start by stating what the project was for, in this instance, the Delicious Dessert scenario.

It will then look at each stage and identify: what went well, what could have been improved, and how would you implement these improvements.

There will also be a conclusion stating whether or not the user requirements have been met.

There will be recommendations to follow for future projects.

So, what lessons have been learned by completing this project? What would you do differently if you were doing a similar project again? Every good project includes reflection as part of the process.

Okay, time to check your understanding.

I have a true or false statement for you.

The last stage of the project evaluation is the conclusion.

Is this true or false? Pause the video whilst you have a think.

Did you select false? Well done.

But why is it false? The last stage of the project evaluation is recommendations.

It's important to reflect on and learn from your experiences and say what could have been improved and how.

Okay, we are moving on to our next task of today's lesson, task B.

For part one, use your Gantt or PERT chart to indicate the completed tasks.

So which tasks have you managed to complete? Are there any tasks you haven't managed to complete? For part two, complete your final evaluation by answering the following questions: A, the project scope: What was the project all about? Somebody may read your conclusion who didn't know anything about the project, so try and make it as clear as possible.

B, initiation stage: What did you do for this stage? C, planning stage: How did you go about planning the project? Did you use a Gantt chart or a PERT chart, or maybe even both? D, the execution stage: What resources did you use, and how successful were the outcomes? Were there any tools that you found particularly difficult to use? And then the conclusion: Summarise the stages of the project.

And finally, your recommendations: What could be improved and why? What have you learned from completing the project? Pause the video here whilst you complete the task.

How did you get on? Did you manage to evaluate the success of your project? Well done.

Let's have a look at some sample answers together.

So, here I've got Sam, and this is Sam's project scope section of the evaluation.

Sam says, "Delicious Desserts is a small shop that offers a variety of desserts that includes waffles, cookie dough, and cheesecakes.

They're looking to grow their business by utilising technology more effectively across the business." This is Sam's initiation stage.

"During the initiation stage, I became more familiar with what the project was about by analysing the project brief.

I identified the user requirements: One, an integrated system; two, an interactive dessert selector; three, two posters to advertise online ordering and delivery and the dessert selector.

I then conducted a feasibility study to see if the project was viable and thought about constraints and how to mitigate them.

Then I created my SMART goals." Let's have a look at Sam's planning stage.

"In the planning stage, I outlined how each of the project aims would be met.

I then used a Gantt chart to map out the SMART goals.

I found the spreadsheet really helpful as it mapped the project out in an organised way." Let's look at Sam's execution stage.

"Within the execution stage, I created an integrated system using a spreadsheet in Google Sheets, which I found difficult, but I persevered, and it worked well in the end.

I created a dessert selector tool using Google Slides and a poster to advertise it in the Microsoft Publisher software.

I didn't have time to complete the poster to advertise the online ordering system due to lesson timing constraints.

I was most proud of the dessert selector tool, as I learned lots of new skills, and it looked impressive.

I think it would be really beneficial to indecisive customers.

Testing gave me a big boost of confidence, as most things worked first time." This is now Sam's conclusion.

"In conclusion, I hit most of the aims of the project, apart from one of the posters due to time constraints.

I met some challenges along the way, especially in the execution stage when making the integrated finance system, but I learned lots.

I think that the work I have done, particularly with the integrated system, will support those staff who lack confidence in the use of technology." Let's finally look at Sam's recommendations.

"I think I would improve my posters by using different software.

I used Microsoft Publisher in school, but I didn't have access to it at home, so I couldn't work on it when I had spare time.

I think I'd use Canva next time.

I could have duplicated the dessert selector poster and made quick changes to make the online ordering poster.

That would have meant that I achieved all of the project aims." Did you have some similar reflections on the project to Sam? Do you think you've done a detailed enough evaluation? Remember, if you need to pause the video and go back and make any changes to your work, you can do that now.

Okay, we've come to the end of today's lesson: "Evaluating the Success of a Project." Let's summarise what we've learned together in this lesson.

The evaluation stage is where you reflect on how well a project went.

It helps you to understand what worked well and what could be improved next time.

Testing tables can be used to check that everything works properly in a digital tool.

By looking back at your SMART goals and planning tool, you can see if you completed everything you set out to do.

Every good project involves reflection as part of the process.

I hope you've enjoyed today's lesson, and I hope you'll join me again soon.

Bye.