Managing Software Projects Notes
Subject Overview
The third MIS group elective, covering the software development process and process models, software project estimation/
Subject at a glance
4
Units
30
Topics
4
Credits
4
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
4 units — open any unit for detailed topic-wise notes, diagrams and important exam questions
- Evolving role of software
- software crisis and myths
- layered technology
- process models — waterfall
- prototyping
- RAD
- evolutionary
- agile
- component-based development
- choosing an appropriate methodology
Waterfall
Stable requirements
Late feedback
Prototyping
Unclear requirements
Scope creep
RAD
Fast delivery with strong teams
Needs modular systems
Agile (Scrum)
Changing requirements
Less documentation
Study guide
This unit covers the role of software, the software crisis, layered technology and process models (waterfall, prototyping, RAD, evolutionary, agile, component-based). Choose a model for a given project and justify it.
- Process/product/project metrics
- software project estimation
- planning
- scheduling and tracking
- risk identification/projection/refinement/mitigation
- process planning feasibility analysis
- cost and effort estimation models
- 1
Identify risks
- 2
Project them
Probability × impact
- 3
Prioritise
- 4
Plan mitigation
- 5
Monitor
- 6
Manage when they occur
Study guide
You study process, product and project metrics, estimation, planning, scheduling, tracking, risk management and cost and effort estimation models. Practise a simple estimate.
- Quality concepts and SQA
- formal technical reviews
- software reliability
- quality standards (ISO 9000, CMM, Six Sigma)
- SQA plan
- SCM activities and project management plan
- 5 Optimising
Continuous improvement
- 4 Managed
Quantitatively controlled
- 3 Defined
Standard organisational process
- 2 Repeatable
Basic project management
- 1 Initial
Ad hoc
Study guide
You study software quality, formal reviews, reliability, ISO 9000, CMM, Six Sigma, the SQA plan and configuration management. Learn the CMM levels.
- Component-based software engineering
- client/server engineering
- web engineering
- reengineering
- computer-aided software engineering (CASE)
- software process improvement
- outsourcing and project management standards
Component-based
Assemble reusable parts
Client/server
Distributed applications
Web engineering
Web apps
Re-engineering
Modernise legacy systems
Outsourced projects
Vendor management
Study guide
You study component-based, client/server and web engineering, reengineering, CASE, process improvement, outsourcing and project management standards. Compare outsourcing benefits and risks.
Why Managing Software Projects Matters
IT project management is a strong career track for MBAs in technology companies, where PMP and agile certifications add value.
How to Prepare for Managing Software Projects
- Plan a small software project with schedule and risks.
- Learn agile and Scrum basics.
- Study CMM and ISO quality models.
Managing Software Projects: Frequently Asked Questions
What is agile?
Agile is an approach to software development that delivers working software in short iterations with continuous feedback and adaptation.