Managing project services

The project services will be outsourced to developers of commercial apps. Before choosing the best app developer, it is crucial to carefully consider all available options. To get the most out of your money, make it possible to compare prices, and make it easier to assess quality, you must carefully choose the app developer. The choice will be made based on the app’s cost-effectiveness and level of delivery quality. Depending on the quality, compatibility, and style of the app, the app developers provide a range of prices. It is convenient and time-saving to outsource the development of an app. The cost of building an app is classified according to the purpose of the application, price per hours spent and the number of targeted users. Further, it is important to assess the rating of the app maker companies to evaluate the quality of delivery and time efficiency. Some of the companies to consider include Appster and Dotsquares.

Comparison between the two companies

Item

Appster

Dotsquare

Rating of the company

4.8

4.8

Minimum project size

$25,000

25,000

Average hourly rate

$50-$99

$100-$149

Number of employees

250-999

250-999

Score

100%

80%

From the above table, it is much convenient to outsource services from the Appster due to their reliable high rating and affordable rates compared to the Dotsquare. Notably, the company has a reputation of meeting the customer’s deadline and exceeding the expectations on quality delivery.

Cost and Time Estimation

The Delphi model of cost estimation involves the application of structure communication where the main aim is to structure interactive forecasting and consultation with the industry experts. The model involves, steps namely identification and selection of moderator, inviting moderator to a meeting and presentation of facts to facilitate discussion, estimation made by each member in the meeting, assembling of the member’s estimations, plotting the estimates in a graph, revisiting the lists of assumptions and arrival at the final project estimates (Brady, 2015). The last phase of the model is the compilation of tasks and correlating tasks, and the issuance of estimations.

Therefore, the process will begin with the gathering of information from expert, scheduling meeting between the team members and the expert, read the facts about the project, plot the individual estimations, assembly of the figures presented by each person, plot a curve, reviewing the assumptions made such as time and features, and formation of the final feedback (Brady, 2015). The meeting should be conducted for six hours and the participating members are five. The cost of facilitating the meeting include the consultation with the expert, meeting materials and allowances.

The Appster app makers have a good rating of 4.8 in the industry, they have a huge pool of human resources, and the work delivery time is high. The industry reviews indicate they meet the deadlines and their prices are affordable. Compared to the Dotsquare, Appster is relatively cheaper in their charges.

Comparison between Appster and Dotsquares

Item

Appster

Dotsquares

Charges

$50-$99

$100-$149

Median

$75

$125

The duration of the project is expected to be 12 moths. The daily route is determined by the hours worked usually 16 hours per day. The work is expected to be conducted continuously working both weekdays and during the weekends without taking a break. The company labour force has estimated 250 to 999 employees who can be available when demand rises.

Hourly charge rates

No of hours

No of days

Total

$75

16

365

$438,000

However, the cost may differ because the rate is charged on average therefore it may decrease or increase depending on the terms of outsourcing agreement.

The costs in the project are distributed to the various functions including outsourcing the preparation of the app, marketing, salaries, professional skills, and the miscellaneous. the outsourcing cost of developing the app is estimated to be average 438000. The salaries given are $115000 for project manager, $90000 for technical supervisor, $95000 for lawyer, $4000 for designer, marketing manager $4000, marketing coordinator $92000, and sales manager $20,000. The total value for cost for salaries is $416000 and won’t change till the end of the project. The marketing involves the efforts targeting the growth of a business. The charges include $35000 for marketing plan and $10000 for research purposes thus the total amount is $45000.

Total project costs

Item

Cost

Outsourcing preparation of app

$438000

Marketing

$45000

Salaries

$416000

Miscellaneous

$90000

Total

$989000

Follow-up meeting

The project manager has the mandate of creating a chart to illustrate the flow of activities and the timeliness of delivery. Further, the project manager will ensure that all the requirements are met, and the objective is achieved. Moreover, he/she has the role of reporting to the team about the progress and making requests for any form of assistance required during the project development. Moreover, the meeting will be helpful to review the finances and spending. Regular meetings have to be held on a monthly basis to ensure that things are done in an appropriate manner.

Preview

A preview should be done after six months since the start of the project. The preview will help compare the actual progress with the estimated plans. There should be three reviews during the entire project. The first review should be in the 6th month, followed by the 9th month and final one at the 11th month before completion of the project.

References

Brady, S. (2015). Utilizing and Adapting the Delphi Method for Use in Qualitative Research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 14(5), p.160940691562138.

Haughey, D. (2017). DELPHI TECHNIQUE A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE. [online] Project Smart. Available at: https://www.projectsmart.co.uk/delphi-technique-a-step-by-step-guide.php [Accessed 6 May 2017].