Software Project Management Chapter 1
PRINCE2
(PRojects IN Controlled Environments) A structured process-based project management methodology providing processes, templates, and steps
Agile Methodologies
Expedited approaches to systems development focusing on iterative development, incremental delivery, and frequent feedback.
Project Management Process Groups
Groups of processes performed to initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control, and close a project
Program
Related projects to harness synergies
Microsoft Project
Software designed by Microsoft to help people manage projects
What are two primary reasons to undertake IS projects?
Take advantage of business opportunities and solve business problems
Project Management Information System
The collection of manual and software tools used to support all aspects of managing a project
Project Success
The degree to which project objectives have been achieved on time, within budget, and with the agreed upon quality and scope
Project Life Cycle
The phases a project goes through from concept to completion
Project Management Methodology
The process used for executing the project management plan
What are skills of a project manager?
technical project management skills, strategic and business management skills, and leadership (communication, negotiating, problem solving, influencing the organization, motivating people)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
An association designed to bring together project management professionals to enhance organization success by maturing the project management profession
Stakeholder
An individual, group, or organization that is actively involved in the project or has a vested interest in its success and/or has a positive or negative influence over the project and its results
Gantt Chart
A bar chart showing the start and end dates for the activities of a project
Portfolio
A group of projects or programs (which may not be directly related) pursued to reach strategic outcome
Work Breakdown Structure
A listing of the activities necessary for the completion of a project
Project Sponsor
A member of the organization who is responsible for the high-level support of the project
Critical Path Method
A method used for determining the sequence of task activities that directly affect the completion of a project
Project Manager
A person with a diverse set of skills - general management, leadership, technical, conflict management, and customer relationship management - who is responsible for managing a project as it goes through its individual phases from concept to completion
Project
A planned undertaking of related activities to achieve a unique outcome that has a specified duration
Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)
A repository of project management practices that are generally recognized as good practices
Network Diagram
A schematic display that illustrates the various tasks in a project, as well as their sequential relationship
Systems Development Life Cylce
A structured approach to systems development
Three-Point Estimating
A technique that averages optimistic, pessimistic, and realistic time to calculate the expected time for a particular task
What makes IS projects complex?
changing technological context, changing technologies, changing project scope, unique and novel solutions, understand systems development methodologies, managing user involvement, and difficulty of hiring IS personnel
Why do software projects fail?
lack of executive support, lack of user input, inexperienced project manager, inexperienced team members, unclear business objectives, unreliable estimates, lack of an effective project management methodology, new software infrastructure, unstable organizational environment, unreliable outside supplies
What leads to project success?
management support, user involvement, clear business objectives, optimization, skilled resources
What ways can project management software be classified?
number of users, industry specificity, platform, and target market and price
