Discussion 1.1 Maintain Balance
Project managers can learn as much, if not more, from failed projects as they can from successful ones. An infamous failed project is the Stretch project initiated in 1956 by a group of computer scientists at IBM who wanted to build the world’s fastest supercomputer. The result of this five-year project was the IBM 7030, also known as Stretch. It was the company’s first transistorized supercomputer.
Though Stretch could handle a half-million instructions per second and was the fastest computer in the world up to 1964, the project was deemed a failure. Why? The project’s goal was to create a computer 100 times faster than what it was built to replace. Stretch was only about 30-40 times faster.
The planned cost was $13.5 million, but the price dropped to $7.8 million; so, the computer was at least completed below cost. Only nine supercomputers were built.
Research the Stretch project and the lessons learned.
How would you have managed the Scope, Quality, and Time constraints as a project manager on the project to maintain the balance?
In your response post, comment on whether you agree or disagree with your classmates. Support your comments with relevant references.
Initial Post (200 – 300 words): Due Friday @ 11:59 pm
Response Posts (at least two; each 75 – 100 words) and Summary Post: Due Tuesday @ 11:59 pm
If citations are included in your post, include references using APA style.
Guidelines for Online Discussions
GRADING CRITERIA
Initial post (50%)
Posted on time and to required length. Addresses the topic of the discussion. Provides personal insights, thoughtful reflection, supporting examples and references. References are listed in the required style. Tone is professional.
Response post (30%)
Responds to 2 or more students. Responses provide additional insights and/or raise questions that require reflection. Shares multiple points of view. References are listed in the required style. Tone is professional.
Summary post (10%)
Provides meaningful summary and response. Demonstrates reflection and further analysis. Supports statements with citations and references.
Grammar and mechanics (10%)
No spelling or grammatical errors. Clearly and succinctly expressed thoughts.
