Some of the important aspects of the software project management - Essay Example

?Project Management and Implementation 6CC049 Software Project Management . Table of Content Introduction A software development process orproject is initiated to achieve some specific objectives for instance development of a software application to improve the performance of an organization or building a software application to meet users’ requirements. Nowadays, software development firms complete software development processes in the form of projects, which are effectively controlled and managed through an appropriate method acknowledged as software project management. Basically, the process of software project management involves a variety of tasks which are closely connected with each other. And the success or failure of one task can have a significant influence on other tasks. In this scenario, software project management is a systematic method for managing, controlling and setting up project tasks and resources from its beginning to completion (Kerzner, 2006; Haughey, 2009; TechTarget, 2008). In addition, these resources and tasks can be divided into different stages depending on the size of a project. These stages could be initiation, planning, executing, controlling, and completion or termination of the project. In reality, this standard method of the project management can be used to manage any kind of project, because its fundamental goal is to organize the different tasks of project development (Kerzner, 2006; Haughey, 2009; TechTarget, 2008). On the other hand, the emergence of the latest tools and technologies to manage software projects has not only changed the traditional software development practices but as well modernized them to make them more efficient. These tools allow us for rapid data processing, quick and automated project planning, digital cost planning and estimation, and so on (Project Shrink Publishing, 2012; Hughes & Cotterell, 2005). This report will present a detailed analysis of some of the important aspects of the software project management. We will divide this discussion into two sections. In the first section we will discuss the use of planning tools (software products to help managers develop WBS, NW diagrams, cost/effort/time estimation, etc.) for software project management. In the second section, we will offer an analysis of the cost estimation techniques. Introduction to Software Project Management Software project management is a kind of plan administration that pays attention especially on developing and organizing software projects. Simply like there are billions of ice cream tastes, there are billions of kinds of software systems. However, efficient and successful project managers are able to defeat them both. In software project management, a project normally is a provisional attempt to produce an exclusive service or product. In addition, for the majority of IT people, everything is a project; on the other hand, others believe that projects are particular and high level tasks that happen occasionally. In fact, a project is an exclusive thing. Alternately, the formation of a new implementation is exclusive, while the preservation and everyday support of an existing application is not accordingly exclusive (Tomayko & Hallman, 1989; Luckey & Phillips, 2006). Moreover, a lot of researchers believe that project management is simply a set of a wide variety of tasks and activities that are distributed to a number of people by a responsible authority normally acknowledged as a project manager. Additionally, in efficient project management there is no space for goobers. In addition, the successful project management focuses on serious trade of receiving work performed on time, within allocated budget and according to client’s needs and requirements. Furthermore, the successful project management involves various other attributes such as leadership, execution and owning the project capacity. Also, it is an excellent response to sign off on the project and know that we and our project team play a significant role in the project’s success (Tomayko & Hallman, 1989; Luckey & Phillips, 2006). Software Planning Tools As discussed above, basically the software project management is divided into different stages such as planning, scheduling and management which are further divided into a lot of other processes including planning and estimation, cost control, scheduling, funds management, supply sharing, cooperation application, collaboration and communication, quality control and management or documentation, which are adopted to tackle the issues of large projects. In this scenario, the majority of software project management tools involve features of scheduling, which is one of the most commonly used techniques to plan a set of actions or jobs however the issues of the scheduling can differ significantly depending on how the tool is utilized (Suhanic, 1999; Westney, 1992; Kerzner, 2006). In addition, a number of frequent challenges comprise the actions that depend on one another in diverse ways or jobs. In this scenario, resource scheduling is used to plan the tasks of project team and resources as well as the effort required by the project team. It also involves managing the risks of cost estimations all through project development. Additionally, the project planning, scheduling and management also offer information to various stakeholders or people involved in a project, in addition they can be employed to calculate as well as validate the efforts required to accomplish the jobs. In this scenario, the project needs and requirements might comprise a summary of data and information on how long jobs will take to accomplish, resource handling and cost maintenance (Suhanic, 1999; Westney, 1992; Kerzner, 2006). Project Management Tools As discussed in the above sections, the use software applications and tools can facilitate the project managers to effectively run and manage their projects. These tools offer an excellent support for the management of projects tasks and resources. This section presents an analysis four tools which can be used for the software project management. These tools can be used by the project managers to develop WBS, NW diagrams, estimate cost effort time, and numerous other operations. Given below is a list of four tools: 1. Microsoft Project 2. Netoffice 3. ACE projects 4. Merlin Microsoft Project The first tool that I have chosen for this report is Microsoft Project. It is very commonly used for ensuring project working and performance. In fact, Microsoft Project is a most commonly used planning tool that covers a very large market share. According to various researches until 2006 Microsoft had sold 20 million user licenses, which continued to increase in the coming years. It offers a better, user friendly and effective view of every project or task that we have to take for the management of the entire project. Moreover, after working with a variety of views and input dialogs offered by the MS Project, one recognizes the reality that MS Project has similar working environment as other office products and as a result any user can easily adjust with this new tool. So the new user that got a chance to use the MS Project will not feel any hesitation during its use. We can handle the mass input of data is effectively which can be maintained through disallowance of worthless data in fields. Moreover, another important feature of the MS Project is its availability in several other languages (Muhlbauer et al., 2007). Fig. 1: Client Overview (Image is designed with MS Project software) Figure1 shows an overview of this application. To show the proper use of this tool I have developed a Gantt chart. At the present, the majority of project managers use MS Project to manage their projects. Netoffice Next software project management tool that I am going to discuss in this section is NetOffice. This application provides us a capability to effectively manage business tasks and communication anywhere, anytime with just one single number on a business card. In fact, this application looks like a virtual personal assistant. In addition, the NetOffice offers a capability to eliminate the need to bring out numerous telephones, mobile and fax numbers and allows users to deal with incoming calls, faxes and messages anytime by using the Internet. In this scenario, we have the complete details of incoming calls and faxes which can be automatically forwarded anywhere in the world with a single mouse click. Additionally, both the voice and data messages can be easily downloaded as e-mail messages. Given below are some of the useful functions offered by this tool: (Geeknet, Inc., 2012; OpensourceIt, 2012) NetOffice provides us a capability to share any information with other users (for instance project stakeholders and team members) NetOffice provides also facilitate us to use the internal messaging with notification on changes of any interrelated information We can also use it like a Corporate Address Book We can have a facility of the commercial Calendar (Events, Tasks, and Notes) In NetOffice we have Corporate Messaging (Email, Fax) We can also arrange the Document Management System (Document Archive) Here we have an Extra Modules of ERP Integration, Web Figure 2 NetOffice, Image Source: http://www.monolinea.com/images/77.jpg Figure2 shows the use of NetOffice. Since this application is used via the Internet so it is very useful for the projects in which team members are located at different locations. Ace projects The third software project management tool that I have chosen for this report is AceProject. This project management tool presents an excellent capability to manage our projects easily, without the system getting in their approach. In fact, the basic purpose of AceProject development was to diminish the time project managers spend on their account, while still being up-to-date on the project’s activity (Websystems Inc., 2012). Given below is the interface of the AceProject 4.5. Figure 1 Main Interface, Image Source: http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/dir/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/aceproject.png?570cd5 AceProject was released for the first time in 2001; AceProject is a web-based project management software application. AceProject is helpful for the organizations to bring their people together to become more proficient and manage their projects a better way. In fact, AceProject is a web-based project management application in which numerous users can simultaneously manage multiple projects, from multiple locations. Thus, all the organizational tasks and details are stored and shared in one central place only (Websystems Inc., 2012). Merlin Merlin is one of the top project management software solutions that are particularly designed for MacOS X. It works fine in the MAC OS environment and makes use of a lot of MAC supported characteristics. In addition, Merlin also allows its users to export and import a variety of standardized file arrangements. Additionally, it offers project management systems recognizable designs similar to CSV, iCalendar, or MS Project. In this scenario, Merlin also supports a range of additional formats that might appear across less frequently comprising the standardized XML (ProjectWizards GmbH, 2012). I have presented below the user interface of Merlin: Figure 4- Merlin Image Source: http://www.projectwizards.net/en/images/m27screen-1024x510.png Critical Commentary and Analysis of Tools In the above sections we have discussed the major characteristics of four software project management tools. This section presents the analysis of the above mentioned tools to determine the best choice among all the tools. In this scenario, the first tool which we discussed is MS Project. Like many other Microsoft products, it gives a lot of benefits from the extensive installation base of their operating system Windows throughout all industries and the incorporation with other widely spread products, such as Microsoft Outlook and Excel. It encompasses a wide variety of features and functionalities which can be used by the project managers to effectively manage projects. Its interface is very simple like other MS Office suites and all the people who use computers are familiar with these applications so the MS Project can be used easily (Microsoft, 2012). The next tool was AceProject, which offers an excellent support for adding and managing tasks along with resource initializing. This software provides a really simple approach for scheduling activities. It provides all the things at the single place for instance project description and its required resource. Now its turn of NET office that has a motto “take your office anywhere”. For new project entry we have to log in to Net office and at Home tab, where we get all the information regarding a project for instance its recourses, timeline and so on. However, its user interface is a little bit complex as compared to other tools. For instance, we have to go to different pages for scheduling tasks and their resources. Lastly, Merlin also offers the similar services however its usage is limited to only MacOS and it is not compatible with other operating systems. Its cost is also higher as compared to other solutions (Microsoft, 2012; ProjectWizards GmbH, 2012; Websystems Inc., 2012; ProjectWizards GmbH, 2012). MS Project in which the product incorporates into a Microsoft software background: Microsoft Exchange for chart and human resource synchronization, SharePoint for combining web access to a project web portal, SQL Server as server backend and so on. Ace Project also has application coordination we can connect it with MS Outlook for mailing and messaging purposes. Here, we also have a built-in mailing facility. We have a simple mailing to automate it that allows writing mail, receiving and check sent items. But no such facility was present in MS project or NEToffice, so messaging and mailing support is available in Ace Project. It gives a lot of features as compared to other two. For instance, we can have our own personal mailing service that is safe and only concerned with our business prospective (Microsoft, 2012; ProjectWizards GmbH, 2012; Websystems Inc., 2012; ProjectWizards GmbH, 2012). The next point is about the availability of documentation support of these tools. If we talk about MS Project, documentation is incorporated into the project and offers offline and online information. It helps out keeping it up to date, but also raises privacy issues, on the other hand Microsoft Project is able to bring together personalized usage data and that the software has an integrated connection with the Microsoft, where it cannot be determined, what is being sent or received. Hence, one has to trust the vendor for not retrieving internal project information or lock-down the software with firewall systems (Microsoft, 2012; ProjectWizards GmbH, 2012; Websystems Inc., 2012; ProjectWizards GmbH, 2012). The Ace project also offers an excellent support for the documentation a project. In this scenario, we can produce reports; we can insert (upload) project related files and denote them with the cross holding job. But NEToffice offers such capability in an imperfect manner. MS Project also offers a superior help system to guide the user throughout the project development. It also provides more simplified helping and assistance material for user management. But this feature is absent in NET office. On the other hand, Merlin help manual also helps project managers effectively manage the project operations. Merlin is a high class system with superior user support (Microsoft, 2012; ProjectWizards GmbH, 2012; Websystems Inc., 2012; ProjectWizards GmbH, 2012). In conclusion, the analysis shows that the MS Project is most suitable and appropriate option for software project management. Part 2: Cost Estimation Techniques In software development projects, cost estimation and scheduling are usually carried out together. In this scenario, the costs of software development are mainly the costs of the endeavor required; hence the effort estimation is utilized in both the cost and the schedule estimation. On the other hand, it is essential for the project managers do cost estimation before detailed schedules are drawn up. In addition, these preliminary estimates can be used to create a financial plan for the project or to estimate a fee for the software for a client (Hughes & Cotterell, 2005; Sommerville, 2012). The intangible nature of the software products or projects makes the cost estimation process difficult. There are numerous techniques that can be used to estimate the cost and effort for the software projects and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. For this report we have chosen the following techniques: Integrated Approach Parametric Cost Estimating Linear Regression Expert Judgment Method Integrated Approach This cost estimation technique involves an integrated approach to build up the net cash flows for a feasible project. This technique makes use of a wide variety of project planning methods for cost estimation. These methods can be work breakdown structure, cost and revenue structure (classification) (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2012; Hughes & Cotterell, 2005). Parametric Cost Estimating This cost estimation method is based on the historical cost data and applying statistical methods to forecast future expenses. In this scenario statistical methods are utilized to build up Cost Estimating (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2012; Hughes & Cotterell, 2005). For instance, if a software development firm has developed similar projects and their data is stored in the databases. They can extract that data to match new projects. It will help the software development firm to determine the cost of the similar project. This method is useful when the company has already completed a variety of projects and kept the record of all those projects. In addition, a software development firm can have a tool which they use for the cost estimation. Linear Regression or Estimating by Analogy Linear regression is also well known cost estimation method that is based on the statistical method that is employed to assess the association between two variables. A widespread method employed is the way of smallest amount squares that observes to reduce the whole divergence of the real data from forecasted values (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2012; Hughes & Cotterell, 2005). In this scenario, a project is compared with another similar project and on the basis of that similarity cost of the project is estimated. In this scenario, the project cost estimate is based on some real characteristics. However, this kind of estimation techniques requires expertise and computation skills. For instance, which features of a project should be used for the comparison (Wu, 1997). Expert Judgment Method This is also one of the most commonly used cost estimation methods that require expert judgment. It entails consulting with software cost estimation specialist or a group/team of professionals to use their experience and understanding of the planned project to reach at an approximation of its cost (Wu, 1997; Briand et al., 1998). This kind of cost estimation requires extensive knowledge of cost estimation. On the other hand, this estimation is based on experts’ thoughts and measures sometimes experts can be biased towards a project (i.e. some can favor or some can go against the project) (Hughes & Cotterell, 2005). Critical Commentary and Analysis From the analysis of four techniques, I have found that an integrated approach is easier to implement. This approach involves various traditional techniques of the cost estimation such as WBS, CBS, etc. In this scenario, during project planning we can assess the cost flow with respect to activities flow. In addition, we can better assign cost to each project activity and assess overall cost of its development. On the other hand, Parametric Cost Estimation is based on historical data. This method is less reliable because of cost and issues in a project change with respect to project working and options. In fact, the nature of the projects changes with the passage of time. The overall estimation of project cost changes with a single project actively goes out of the way. In this scenario this cost estimation method seems not feasible. In linear regression we compare the two projects. In this scenario, the final decision is based on the correct selection of project features if features are not selected effectively then the estimation will be wrong. The Expert Judgment Method is also a well known method that involves the expert judgment for the cost estimation. However, it is useful for simple and small projects good while in complex project this method does not work fine. Finally, the integrated approach is a best solution. Conclusion A software development process or project is initiated to achieve some specific objectives for instance development of a software application to improve the performance of an organization or building a software application to meet users’ requirements. Software project management is a kind of plan administration that pays attention especially on developing and organizing software projects. Simply like there are billions of ice cream tastes, there are billions of kinds of software systems. The majority of software project management tools involve features of scheduling, which is one of the most commonly used techniques to plan a set of actions or jobs however the issues of the scheduling can differ significantly depending on how the tool is utilized. This report has analyzed four software project management tools. The analysis showed that the MS Project is most suitable and appropriate option for software project management. This report has also analyzed different techniques of software cost estimation. References Briand, L.C. et al., 1998. An Assessment and Comparison of Common Software Cost Estimation Modeling Techniques. [Online] Available at: http://www.ehealthinformation.ca/documents/isern-98-27.pdf [Accessed 12 March 2012]. Geeknet, Inc., 2012. NetOffice. [Online] Available at: http://sourceforge.net/projects/netoffice/ [Accessed 10 March 2012]. Haughey, D., 2009. The Role of the Project Manager. 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