Prepare a list of activities for a systems development team for an online travel agent that is setting up a website for customers. Now suppose you are running out of time. Describe some of your options. Describe what you will trade off to get the website released in time.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The activities might be:

a. Determine the travel dates
b. List the flights
c. Offer cheaper alternatives and a way of reducing the cost
d. Purchase a ticket
e. Select a seat
f. Choose other options, such as a specific type of meal or special needs

If you are running out of time, reduce the scope of the project. Perhaps eliminate the offer of cheaper alternatives or choosing other options, such as meals or special needs.

You could also increase the cost and add more people to the project or purchase part of the solution.

Sacrificing quality is the least favored choice, because customers have expectations or need to travel on a certain day or time. A system that overbooks or causes other problems may result in the loss of customers because there is much planning and arranging (such as hotel and car rental) revolving around flights. If a parent needs to sit next to a small child, a poor quality system may book them in seats that are not together, an unacceptable arrangement.