Unit 4: Special project classes
Managing Software Projects notes · PTU syllabus (MBA 943-18)
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Unit summary
Some project types need special approaches. This unit covers component-based software engineering, client/server engineering, web engineering, re-engineering, computer-aided software engineering (CASE), software process improvement, outsourcing and project management standards.
After this unit you can
- Explain component-based and client/server engineering
- Explain web engineering and re-engineering
- Explain CASE tools and software process improvement
- Explain software outsourcing and project management standards
PTU syllabus topics
- 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
Topic 1
Component-based software engineering
- CBSE: building systems by assembling reusable, independently deployable components with well-defined interfaces.
- 1Component qualification
Does it fit the requirements and architecture?
- 2Component adaptation
Wrapping to fit
- 3Component composition
Assemble through an architecture
- 4Component update
Manage new versions
- Benefits: faster delivery, lower cost, proven quality. Issues: finding suitable components, integration, licensing, dependence on vendors. Modern forms: microservices, APIs, open-source libraries.
Topic 2
Client/server engineering
- Client/server architecture: clients request services; servers provide them over a network.
Two-tier
Client with user interface and logic; database server
Three-tier
Presentation, application (business logic) and data tiers
N-tier and cloud
Web servers, application servers, microservices, databases, CDNs
- Engineering issues: distribution of functions, middleware, concurrency, security, testing across tiers.
Topic 3
Web engineering
- Web applications (WebApps): network-intensive, content-driven, continuously evolving, immediacy, security and aesthetics matter.
- Process: formulation, planning, analysis (content, interaction, function, configuration), design (interface, aesthetics, content, navigation, architecture), construction, testing, customer evaluation.
- Practices: responsive design, accessibility, performance optimisation, security (OWASP top ten), continuous deployment.
Topic 4
Re-engineering
- 1
Inventory analysis
- 2
Document restructuring
- 3
Reverse engineering
Recover design from code
- 4
Code restructuring
- 5
Data restructuring
- 6
Forward engineering
Rebuild with modern technology
- Business process re-engineering redesigns business processes; software re-engineering modernises legacy systems (migration to cloud, microservices).
Topic 5
Computer-aided software engineering
- CASE tools automate parts of the software process.
Upper CASE
Requirements and design — UML modelling tools
Lower CASE
Coding, testing, debugging
Integrated CASE
Whole life cycle
Modern equivalents
IDEs (VS Code), Git, Jira, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, AI coding assistants
Topic 6
Software process improvement
- SPI: systematic approach to improve the process to raise quality and productivity.
- 1
Assess current process
CMMI appraisal, SPICE (ISO/IEC 15504, now 33000 series)
- 2
Educate and train
- 3
Select and justify improvements
- 4
Install and migrate
- 5
Evaluate
- 6
Manage risk of change
- Approaches: CMMI, Six Sigma, Lean, agile retrospectives, DevOps metrics (deployment frequency, lead time, change failure rate, time to restore — DORA).
Topic 7
Outsourcing and project management standards
- Software outsourcing: contracting development or maintenance to external vendors — onshore, nearshore, offshore (India as a global hub).
- Models: fixed price, time and material, dedicated teams, global capability centres; managed through contracts, SLAs and governance.
- Risks: communication, quality, IP and security, vendor lock-in, hidden costs.
- Standards: PMBOK (PMI), PRINCE2, ISO 21500 (project management guidance), ISO/IEC 12207 (software life cycle processes), IEEE standards, agile frameworks (Scrum, SAFe).
Key terms
- CBSE
- Building software from reusable components
- Three-tier architecture
- Presentation, logic and data tiers
- Reverse engineering
- Recovering design from existing code
- CASE
- Tools automating software engineering tasks
- PRINCE2
- Process-based project management method
Quick revision
- CBSE process; microservices and APIs.
- Client/server tiers and engineering issues.
- Web engineering process and practices.
- Re-engineering cycle; CASE tools.
- SPI frameworks; DORA metrics; outsourcing models; PMBOK, PRINCE2, ISO standards.
Important exam questions
Practice questions written to the PTU exam pattern for this unit's syllabus: short answers (Section A style) and long answers (Sections B and C style).
Short-answer questions
- Q1.What is component-based software engineering?
- Q2.Distinguish two-tier and three-tier architecture.
- Q3.State two characteristics of web applications.
- Q4.What is reverse engineering?
- Q5.Distinguish upper and lower CASE tools.
- Q6.Name two project management standards.
Long-answer questions
- Q1.Explain component-based and client/server software engineering.
- Q2.Discuss web engineering and software re-engineering.
- Q3.Explain CASE tools and software process improvement.
- Q4.Discuss software outsourcing and project management standards.
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