Recommendation Report fINAL (1) (1)

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1 Advocating for the Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Solution in Implementing a Collaborative Project Management Platform Name Institution Course Professor Date

2 Implementing a Collaborative Project Management Platform In today's rapidly evolving work environment, organizations are seeking innovative solutions to foster seamless collaboration and project management. Our organization, too, is on the brink of implementing a collaborative project management platform to address the challenges posed by remote work and hybrid work models. After a careful comparison between two potential methods of implementation, a Custom-Built Collaborative Platform (Method A) and a Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Solution (Method B), we are firmly convinced that the COTS Solution, specifically Microsoft 365, is the superior choice This conclusion was drawn from the advantageous aspects of cost-effectiveness, comprehensive feature set, and superior scalability that the COTS Solution offers, aligning seamlessly with our organization's unique requirements and growth trajectory. One of the most significant factors influencing our recommendation for method B is cost- effectiveness since the Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Solution offers a predictable and economical cost structure, which aligns perfectly with our budgetary goals. While Method A (Custom-Built Collaborative Platform) incurs substantial upfront costs in hiring software developers and ongoing expenses for maintenance and updates, Method B provides licensing plans ranging from $5 to $35 per user per month, ensuring budget predictability ( Rishnyak et al., 2020) . The cost advantage enables us to allocate our valuable resources to other critical areas of our organization, such as training and development programs or infrastructure improvements. By choosing Method B, we make a financially prudent choice that not only addresses our immediate need for a collaborative project management platform but also strategically positions us for future success. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of Method B contributes to a stable financial

3 outlook, reducing the risk of unexpected expenses or budget overruns, as stability that allows us to maintain a strong financial position is essential for achieving our long-term objectives. Scalability is another paramount consideration in our innovation, and we firmly believe that Method B offers a superior solution in this regard. The resources and infrastructure of the vendor give Method B a distinct advantage over Method A when it comes to scalability; Microsoft 365, built on a robust cloud-based architecture, stands out as a testament to this advantage as it is purposefully designed to not only meet our current needs but also to seamlessly accommodate the growth of our organization. As we continue to expand our workforce and undertake new projects, the scalability of Method B becomes a crucial asset because the cloud- based nature of Microsoft 365 empowers us to confidently pursue our long-term goals without fear of encountering limitations. With cloud-based solutions in place, we can readily add new users, onboard additional projects, and seamlessly integrate evolving work patterns (Luszczak & Luszczak, 2019); this flexibility ensures that we maintain our operational efficiency while navigating the ever-changing demands of our industry. Furthermore, a pivotal criterion in our method selection process revolves around evaluating the feature sets of the available options. While we acknowledge the appeal of the Custom-Built Platform's potential for customization, we must also address the concerns regarding development timelines and associated delays, as highlighted by Setende (2012). When considering Microsoft 365's COTS Solution, a compelling case emerges due to its expansive suite of tools that includes Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive; these tools are purposefully designed to streamline communication, enhance collaboration, and provide robust project oversight, as noted by Paredes and Carvalho (2019). What sets Microsoft 365 apart is its ability to provide a comprehensive feature set right out of the box solution, which speaks directly to our

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4 organization's need for a swift and efficient transition to a collaborative project management platform; accessibility of these features empowers our teams to seamlessly adapt to remote work scenarios, ensuring that productivity remains unaffected by lengthy development periods. Additionally, by choosing Microsoft 365, we not only expedite the implementation process but also equip our teams with the necessary tools to excel in their tasks, a choice that aligns seamlessly with our organization's values of adaptability and efficiency. While the allure of customization in the Custom-Built Platform is understood, the practicality of Microsoft 365's feature-rich COTS Solution cannot be overlooked. In a rapidly evolving work environment, where agility is essential, the immediate availability of tools such as Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive positions us at the forefront of collaborative project management; this considered decision places our organization in an advantageous position, allowing us to harness the power of technology without compromising on time or functionality. Some may argue that Method A, the Custom-Built Platform, is the optimal choice due to its promise of unmatched customization that aligns precisely with our unique workflow. While it is undeniable that customization can yield advantages, it is essential to recognize the trade-offs involved. The process of tailoring a platform to such a degree demands a significant investment of both time and resources, which underscores the potential impact on project timelines and initial costs, which could hinder the speed at which we can integrate and deploy our collaborative project management solution. However, it is crucial to address the concerns raised by proponents of Method A as we acknowledge the value of aligning our technology with our workflow in the most seamless manner possible. Nevertheless, Method B, Microsoft 365's COTS Solution, offers a noteworthy compromise as the solution does not wholly sacrifice flexibility for efficiency. In fact, it provides a remarkable degree of adaptability through the integration of diverse Microsoft

5 365 apps and services, enabling us to customize our collaborative project management platform to a significant extent without sacrificing the benefits associated with a COTS solution. Research consistently supports the advantages of utilizing Microsoft 365 for enhancing collaboration and productivity within organizations. A study by Forrester Consulting found that Microsoft 365's integrated suite of tools, including Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, can lead to a 15% increase in team collaboration and a 10% improvement in employee productivity, driven by streamlined communication and easy access to resources (Forrester Consulting, 2020). Furthermore, a report by Spiceworks Ziff Davis indicates that organizations using Microsoft Teams experience a 37% reduction in the number of emails sent, indicating a shift towards more efficient communication methods (Spiceworks Ziff Davis, 2019). These insights underscore the positive impact of Microsoft 365 on collaboration, communication, and overall efficiency, providing empirical evidence that aligns with the decision to choose a COTS solution like Microsoft 365 for your collaborative project management platform implementation. In conclusion, after an objective analysis of the Custom-Built Collaborative Platform and the Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Solution, the latter stands out as the superior choice. The Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Solution, exemplified by Microsoft 365, offers a compelling array of advantages that align with our organization's demands. Its cost-effectiveness, comprehensive feature set, and superior scalability make it ideal for our collaborative project management platform implementation. Therefore, we unanimously recommend method B (Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Solution, to ensure a seamless transition to enhanced collaboration, improved project oversight, and a future-ready platform that grows with our organization's evolving needs. Reflection

6 1. While working on this final assignment, I employed several skills and techniques to present a strong argument using persuasive writing techniques. I learned the importance of structuring my argument logically, beginning with a clear thesis statement and supporting it with well-researched evidence. Additionally, the use of counterarguments and rebuttals helped me anticipate and address potential objections, making my argument more robust. Moreover, I refined my ability to convey information persuasively by considering the audience's perspective and tailoring my language and tone accordingly. The knowledge I gained throughout the assignment will be valuable in my professional life as it equips me to make convincing proposals, advocate for ideas, and communicate effectively with colleagues, clients, or stakeholders. 2. Throughout our course, I have gained valuable insights into my development as a writer: I have realized that my writing has become more organized and concise due to the emphasis on clear thesis statements and structured arguments. I have also improved my research skills, learning how to find and evaluate credible sources to support my claims. One significant transformation I made is my increased confidence in addressing counterarguments and providing well-reasoned rebuttals, a skill that previously felt challenging. Therefore, our course has shown me that with practice and guidance, I can become a more effective and persuasive writer, a skill that will undoubtedly benefit me in various aspects of my personal and professional life.

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7 References Luszczak, A., & Luszczak, A. (2019). What is Microsoft Dynamics 365/AX?. Using Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations: Learn and understand the functionality of Microsoft's enterprise solution , 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-24107-0_1 Rishnyak, I., Veres, O., Lytvyn, V., Bublyk, M., Karpov, I., Vysotska, V., & Panasyuk, V. (2020). Implementation Models Application for IT Project Risk Management. In CITRisk (pp. 102-117). https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2805/paper8.pdf Setende, H. (2012). Differences, advantages, and disadvantages between in-house development IT systems and industry-standard ERP systems. https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/32142900/ERP-libre.pdf?1391495137=&response- content-disposition=inline%3B+filename %3DDifferences_advantages_and_disadvantages.pdf&Expires=1693508800&Signature= TZeJOtxhBan3b61hhxm7h- NTUOuSjfGrT4KT~1wDU5cszTIA2uDInh6VWC00hU~rZHnwR1cLB8ewoILi~90JbY 0SsaS9fIEGIkZVdZ3N7DStCxxx8P4e0SuuZF- sr7SpXOygIgJndRUhX2ivYldrU1uRzG4AjfpDrHNOjQuovOGksZrEIkZaKqvL0zcxqqE OMerTT~AafU9wklm4gPXnxe1uY7kUY7RhFx7ZoJgmH6toOk~yQzXUXbgbZcHM8c LD6ZUSb25uu0PHi09XJpsFzvXHZNMeYULeOSpLwgPwLn4Qwn3mSw1L4V6nC37q myRGyI3SRnt6-~2B7R-VevFSBA__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA Forrester Consulting. (2020). The Total Economic Impact™ Of Microsoft Teams. Microsoft. Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/ 2/2019/04/Total-Economic-Impact-Microsoft-Teams.pdf

8 Spiceworks Ziff Davis. (2019). The 2019 State of IT: The Annual Report on IT Budgets and Tech Trends. Spiceworks Ziff Davis. Retrieved from https://www.spiceworks.com/marketing/state-of-it/report/ Paredes, I. M. R., & Carvalho, J. A. (2019, December). Simple: A Framework for the Successful Implantation of Enterprise IT Applications in Small and Medium Enterprises. In ISD . https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/301385436.pdf

Recommendation Report fINAL (1) (1)

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