SOFTWARE PROJECTMANAGEMENT Introduction:As all ofyou know project management is how we are delivering a product to the client.That means managing the project with efficient processes through applyingknowledge, skills. Based on these processes one can estimate how much efficientthe software product.
Importance of time, scope, cost:Managementof a project is mostly deals with time, cost, scope. Why these are mostly deal?Suppose time is the very important parameter while considering project becausecompleting the project within time frame involves time management. Likewise maintainingand managing cost also very important becauseit is very crucial how we are estimating the project cost and how we aremanaging cost if any problem occurs during project.Coming to scopeof the project, it is what will be the needs of that particular project andwhat deliverables we are giving to the client. Asses theproject having lots of phases. Project completion involves mostly 9 corefunctions. These are also called knowledge areas of a project. Projectmanagement involves several stages.
Those are 1. Project initiation2. Project planning3. Project Execution4 .Project monitoring and controlling5.
Project closing Mappingthese phases with core functions leads to proper project management. Letsdiscuss with these phases.Project initiation:In thisphase we will conclude that what are the basic requirements to do aproject, also who are involved,architecture and project charter and writing business case are to be pulledout. Project Planning:Usinggathered requirements we are proceeding with planning. Based on theserequirements we can come to know that what will be the scope of the project.
After scopeplanning we will go for work break down structure (WBS).What is Work Break Down Structure(WBS)?Firstrequirement of WBS is gathering information/requirements about activitiesinvolved in a project. Requirement specification WBS Processes Time&Cost Estimation WBS is buildbased on the product, product then divided into sub tasks. Grouping relatedtasks give work package.
Time and Cost Estimation of a Project:The mainconstraint here is limited time and budget given for project. So the projectmanager should arrange the time and cost for a project to finish it within timeframe and budget. There are somany techniques to estimate efforts (Time, Cost) of project.
Out of thosetechniques we are discussing Delphi Technique and 3-Point Estimation.a.3-Point Estimation: In this project manager givesoptimistic, pessimistic and most likely estimates of time for each process.b.
Delphi Technique: In this selected experts are there.Project manager will give requirements to them. The experts will find out theestimation and send it to the project manager. Project then checks theestimations and send it back to the experts if any modification required. Scheduling Project:After allactivities/tasks time and cost estimations, we have to find out how one activityis depending on the other activity.
For finding out this dependencies we are using Critical pathmethod and Program Evaluation and Review Technique. a.Critical Path Method(CPM):Predictingthe duration we are using Critical Path Method. This will be useful to meetproject schedule expectations. It is the easiest and shortest path amongactivities to finish the project in less span of time. b.Program Evaluation and ReviewTechnique :Using 3-pointestimation by PERT we can find out the duration of activities.
There is aformula for duration. i.e. Project Execution:After project planning done, approval has to be there. If itis approved then implementation of planning is to be there.
This is calledProject Execution.Most of the project time spends in this phase. In this phaseinvolves dividing the work activities among team members, provide resource tothem, team meeting to asses the progress and measuring team productivity. Project Monitoring and Controlling:While executing the project there should be continuousmonitoring is required. Because if any misleading happens it directly affectsthe time and cost estimations. So continuous monitoring should be there if anyproblem occurs take control over it.
Project Close:This phase has deployment of the project activities in eachcore functions. On successful completion of all these activities leads toproject completion.
