[4] Understanding Software Project Management

Project Management (in Software Engineering)

The first layer of the software engineering process, overlaying the entire development process from beginning to end; one of the continuous or 'umbrella' activities.

Focus of Project Management

To assure that software development projects meet customer expectations and are delivered within budget and time constraints.

Importance of Project Management

A critical skill for software engineers, especially team leaders and systems analysts, and an important aspect of software system development.

Project Management (Definition)

A controlled process of initiating, planning, executing, and closing down a project.

Project (Definition)

A planned undertaking of related activities to reach an objective that has a beginning and an end.

Characteristics of a Project

Has definite objectives and scope, definite start and end points, often brings about change, has a degree of risk, often staffed by people with other responsibilities, usually involves staff from different functions (in-house), has allocated resources and budget, has its own management structure.

Project Manager

An individual with diverse skills (management, leadership, technical, conflict management, customer relationship) responsible for initiating, planning, executing, and closing down a project.

Activities of a Project Manager

Proposal writing, project costing, project planning and scheduling, project monitoring and reviews, personnel selection and evaluation, report writing and presentation.

Reasons Software Project Management is Difficult

The product is intangible (cannot be seen or touched), and there is no standard process that guarantees success for a particular software product.

Factors to Consider in Software Project Management

Scope of work, risks, required resources, tasks, milestones, efforts (cost), and schedules.

Four Phases of Project Management

Initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, and closing down the project.

Initiating the Project Phase

Activities performed to assess the project's size, scope, and complexity and to establish procedures for later activities; involves activating the project and building the project plan.

Project Plan (Initiating Phase)

Provides the basis against which to control the project; key elements include work plan, schedule, staff effort estimates, budget, and milestones.

Planning the Project Phase

Focuses on defining clear, discrete activities and the work needed for each within a single project; these are incorporated into various management plan documents.

Management Plan Documents (Planning Phase)

Include quality plan, risk management plan, validation plan, configuration management plan, maintenance plan, and staff development plan.

Other Plans in Project Management Planning

May be needed based on the ten (10) areas or body of knowledge in project management (see PMBOK knowledge areas).

Executing the Project Phase

Focuses on putting the plans into action; involves executing the baseline plan, monitoring progress, managing changes, maintaining the project workbook, and communicating status.

Progress Reporting (Executing Phase)

Enables the project manager to understand the current state and report to the team, senior management, and the client.

Quantitative Measures of Project Progress

Man-hours, costs, tasks started/completed, milestones achieved, and elapsed time.

Qualitative Measures of Project Progress

Client/user satisfaction, staff morale, staff turnover, quality, objectives achieved, and change requests.

Progress Monitoring (Executing Phase)

The process of collating progress reports and assessing results against the project plan.

Closing Down the Project Phase

Focuses on bringing the project to an end; activities include formal project closure, closing customer contract, and conducting post-implementation reviews.

Importance of Project Management (Summary)

Needed from the beginning to the end of a software project, involving proposal writing, costing, planning, scheduling, staffing, monitoring, controlling, and reporting.

Difficulties in Software Project Management (Summary)

Due to the intangible nature of the product and the lack of a guaranteed standard process for success.