Software Project Management For Dummies (eBook)

Teresa Luckey was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, the eighth of twelve children. She earned the degree of Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern Indiana, with a major in Education. She earned her teaching endorsements in Computer Education and Mathematics from the University of Indianapolis and thoroughly enjoyed teaching (and learning from) junior high students for several years. After deciding to expand her horizons beyond the teaching profession, she pursued her interests in information systems and project management while working at hospitals in Indianapolis, and then moved on to a consulting firm, where she now works as a manager implementing healthcare systems. Teresa earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, where she served as co-class president with her husband, David. She is just shy of completing her Master of Science in New Media at Indiana University School of Informatics. One of these days--soon--she hopes to finish that degree so that she can maintain her reputation as a life-long learner. Teresa earned her Project Management Professional Certification through the Project Management Institute in 2001 and continues to maintain her certification. She enjoys contributing to the field of project management, particularly with regard to healthcare software. Joseph Phillips, PMP, Project+, is the Director of Education for Project Seminars. He has managed and consulted on projects for various industries, including technical, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and architectural, among others. Phillips has served as a project management consultant for organizations creating project offices, maturity models, and best-practice standardization. As a leader in adult education, Phillips has taught organizations how to successfully implement project management methodologies, information technology project management, risk management, and other courses. Phillips has taught courses at Columbia College, University of Chicago, Indiana University, and others. He is a Certified Technical Trainer and has taught over 10,000 professionals. Phillips has contributed as an author or editor to more than 30 books on technology, careers, and project management. Phillips is a member of the Project Management Institute and is active in local project management chapters. He has spoken on project management, project management certifications, and project methodologies at numerous trade shows, PMI chapter meetings, and employee conferences. When not writing, teaching, or consulting, Phillips can be found behind a camera or on the working end of a fly rod. You can contact Phillips through www.projectseminars.com.

Introduction 1

Part I: Starting Your Software Project 7

Chapter 1: Examining the Big Picture of Project Management 9

Chapter 2: Initiating a Software Project 25

Chapter 3: Creating the Software Scope 55

Part II: Planning Your Software Project 77

Chapter 4: Planning for Communications 79

Chapter 5: Planning for Software Project Risks 107

Chapter 6: Planning for Software Quality 131

Chapter 7: Building the Project Team 147

Chapter 8: Creating Project Time Estimates 165

Chapter 9: Building Your Project Budget 191

Part III: Executing Your Software Project Plan 209

Chapter 10: Working the Project Plan 211

Chapter 11: Working with Project People 229

Chapter 12: Procuring Goods and Services 245

Part IV: Controlling Your Software Project 263

Chapter 13: Managing Changes to the Software Project 265

Chapter 14: Using Earned Value Management in Software Projects 281

Chapter 15: Tracking Project Performance 295

Part V: Closing Your Software Project 313

Chapter 16: Finalizing the Project Management Processes 315

Chapter 17: Documenting Your Software Project 333

Part VI: The Part of Tens 347

Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Make Your Software Project Crash and Burn 349

Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Make Any Software Project Better 359

Appendix: Formal Project Management Training and Certification 369

Index 375