Chapter -6 Software Process Model
6.1 Software Project Concept
Software Project:
• Software project is group of tasks that need to be accomplishes in order to get a fully functional software product.
• Software projects can vary from small to large and can be operated by one or more person.
• Software projects are usually led by Software Project Manager who ensures the completion of software project on time fulfilling the requirements of the targeted clients.
• For good project development, some teams split the project into specific tasks so they can manage responsibility and utilize team strengths.
Need of software project management :
• Software is an intangible product.
• Software development is a new stream in world business and there is very little experience in building software products.
• Most software products are tailor made to fit client’s requirements.
• The most important is that the underlying technology changes and advances so frequently and rapidly that experience of one product may not be applied to the other one.
• All such business and environmental constraints bring risk in software development hence it is essential to manage software products efficiently.
• The image above shows triple constraints for software projects.
• It is an essential part of software organization to deliver quality product, keeping the cost within client’s budget constrain and deliver the project as per scheduled.
• There are several factors, both internal and external, which may impact this triple constrain triangle.
• Any of three factors can severely impact the other two.
• Therefore, software project management is essential to incorporate user requirements along with budget and time constraints.
Software Management Activities
• A software project manager is a person who undertakes the responsibility of executing the software project.
• Software project manager is thoroughly aware of all the phases of software development life cycle that the software would go through.
• Project manager may never directly involve in producing the end product but he controls and manages the activities involved in production.
• A project manger closely monitors the development process, prepares and executes various plans, arranges necessary and adequate issues of cost, budget, resources, time, and quality and customer satisfaction.
Let us see few responsibilities that a project manager should follow:
Managing People
- Act as project leader
- Liaison with stakeholders
- Managing human resources
- Setting up reporting hierarchy etc.
Managing Project
- Defining and setting up project scope
- Managing project management activities
- Monitoring progress and performance
- Risk analysis at every phase
- Take necessary step to avoid or come out of problems
- Act as project spokesperson
Software Project Management Activities
Software project management consists of many activities such as
1. Project Planning and Tracking
2. Project Resource Management
3. Scope Management
4. Estimation Management
5. Project Risk Management
6. Scheduling Management
7. Project Communication Management
8. Configuration Management
1. Project Planning: It is a set of multiple tasks that need to be performed before production of software actually starts as it facilitates software production.
2. Scope Management: Scope management is essential because it creates boundaries of the software project by clearly defining what would be done in the project and what would not be done. This makes project to contain limited and quantifiable tasks, which can easily be documented and in turn avoids cost and time overrun.
3. Estimation Management: This is not only about cost estimation in software project development, we also figure out their size (line of code), efforts as well as time. For an effective software project management, accurate estimation of various measures is a must. With correct estimation, managers can manage and control the project more efficiently and effectively.
4. Scheduling Management: Scheduling Management in software refers to all the activities to complete in the specified order and within time slotted to each activity. Project managers define multiple tasks and arrange them keeping various factors in mind.
5. Project Resource Management: In software Development, all the elements are referred to as resources for the project. It can be a human resource, productive tools, and libraries.
6. Project Risk Management : Risk management consists of all the activities like identification, analyzing and preparing the plan for predictable and unpredictable risk in the project.
7. Project Comunication Management : Communication is an essential factor in the success of the project. It is a bridge between client, organization, team members and as well as other stakeholders of the project such as hardware suppliers. In all the phases, communication must be clear and understood. Miscommunication can create a big blunder in the project.
8. Project Configuration Management: Configuration management is about to control the changes in software like requirements, design and development of the product. The primary goal is to increase productivity with fewer errors.
