IT Project Management

(Level B2)

Dialog 1

Characters: Mark – an IT student who is working on a group project
Emily – his friend who has done an internship in an IT company

Mark: Hey Emily, can I ask you something about IT project management?
Emily: Sure, go ahead. What do you need?
Mark: We’re working on a software development project for class, and I’ve been asked to be the project manager. But I’m not really sure what that involves.
Emily: Being a project manager means you’re responsible for planning, organizing, and making sure the team meets deadlines. Have you created a project plan?
Mark: Not yet. I thought we’d just start coding and figure things out along the way.
Emily: That’s risky. In IT projects, planning is essential. You should define the scope, break the work into smaller tasks, set deadlines, and assign responsibilities.
Mark:  Sounds like a lot. What tools do you usually use?
Emily:  Many teams use Agile or Scrum methods. You can use tools like Jira or Trello to manage tasks and track progress.
Mark: We’ve heard of Agile. Isn’t that the method where everything is done in short cycles?
Emily:  Exactly. They’re called sprints, usually 1–2 weeks long. At the end of each sprint, the team presents what they’ve done and plans the next one.
Mark: That sounds more organized than I thought. But what happens if someone misses a deadline?
Emily: Then the whole team can be affected. That’s why communication is key. In Scrum, there’s a short daily meeting to discuss what everyone is working on and if there are any problems.
Mark: Okay, that could help. What about testing?
Emily: Testing should happen during the whole development process, not just at the end. It helps catch bugs early.
Mark: Good point. What’s the biggest challenge in IT project management, in your opinion?
Emily: Honestly? Managing changes. Clients often change their minds, so you have to stay flexible but still deliver on time and within budget.
Mark: Thanks, Emily. This was super helpful. I’ll definitely start with a plan and try using Agile.
Emily:  No problem! Let me know if you need help setting up your task board.

 

2. Vocabulary List – Key Terms Explained

Term Definition (EN) Example Sentence
Project manager A person who plans and controls a project A good project manager keeps the team organized.
Scope The boundaries of what the project includes We need to define the scope before we start.
Agile A flexible method of software development with frequent updates Agile lets teams adapt quickly to changes.
Scrum A type of Agile with short working cycles (sprints) Our team uses Scrum to manage weekly tasks.
Sprint A short time frame (1–2 weeks) to complete specific tasks Each sprint ends with a review meeting.
Daily meeting A short team meeting to discuss work and problems We have a daily meeting every morning.
Bug An error or flaw in the software The developer fixed the login bug.
Task board A tool (physical or digital) used to manage tasks We use Trello as our task board.
Deadline A final date to complete a task Missing a deadline can delay the whole project.
Flexible Able to adapt to change You need to be flexible when the client changes the requirements.

3. Comprehension Questions

1. Why is Mark feeling unsure about his role in the project?
2. What does Emily say is essential before starting coding?
3. What are sprints and how long do they usually last?
4. Why are daily meetings important in Scrum?
5. What does Emily say is the biggest challenge in IT project management?
6. Why is it important to test during development?
7. What tools does Emily suggest for managing tasks?

4. Discussion Questions

• Have you ever worked in a group project? Was there a leader?
• Do you think Agile is a good method for school projects? Why or why not?
• What’s more important in a project: planning or flexibility?
• How do you personally deal with deadlines and time pressure?
• What would you do if someone in your team didn’t do their part?

5. Gap-Fill Exercise (Vocabulary Practice)

1. Before we start building the app, we need to define the project _______.
2. In Agile, teams work in short cycles called _______.
3. We hold a _______ every morning to update each other.
4. Our developer found a serious _______ in the payment system.
5. Trello is a useful _______ for organizing group tasks.
6. The client changed the requirements, so we had to be _______.
7. Missing a _______ could mean losing the client’s trust.

6. Role-Play Activity (Extension)

Instructions: Work in pairs. One person plays the project manager, the other plays a developer. Use the situation below:
The project is behind schedule. The client has requested new features. Discuss how to reorganize the sprint and delegate tasks to finish on time. Decide what to postpone, who does what, and how to report progress.

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Rodzaj lekcji Czas trwania Cena netto (PLN) Uwagi
Indywidualna lekcja (VESL) 60 min 120–150 zł Pełne przygotowanie, personalizacja
Indywidualna lekcja (VESL) 90 min 180–220 zł Dłuższa, bardziej intensywna sesja
Lekcja grupowa (3-5 osób) 60 min 60–90 zł/osoba Cena niższa, większa liczba uczestników
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