Software Project Management: A Realistic Guide to Success

Author: (USA) Henry
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: This book comprehensively covers the factors to consider when conducting project management, as well as all aspects of a complete project management process. The book is divided into five parts. Part 1 details the four constituent elements of software project management: people, processes, tools, and measurements. Part 2 discusses how to prepare for a software project, with each chapter addressing one aspect to consider before initiating the project. Part 3 applies the knowledge introduced in Part 1 and Part 2 to practice, explaining the considerations for initiating a project: how to assign roles to personnel, how to develop a project schedule with the support of the entire team, how to prepare tools, and how to collect and utilize measurements. Part 4 covers how to guide the project toward early success and maintain stability. Part 5 discusses the work after completing the software product: how to successfully install or deploy the software product and provide support to customers, which in fact affects the success or failure of a project; how to evaluate a project and improve based on the evaluation. This book emphasizes practice, with case studies and materials derived from the author's own projects, and is supported by a companion website where readers can find more information. This book teaches the fundamental knowledge of software project management. In the book, Joel Henry discusses four basic elements—people, processes, tools, and measurements—and enables readers to select and apply effective methods for their projects and companies in each area. Leveraging years of project management experience, Professor Henry engages readers by discussing the steps of project management (which are arranged in the order they appear in actual software projects). Here, practical, immediately applicable experience is provided. The book also extensively utilizes textbook features, making the content accessible to all readers. These features include "guidelines" for different parts of the management process, "steps" for completing specific tasks, and small case studies based on real-world experiences from actual projects.