Assignment 1: Implementing Software Project Management Strategies

 Imagine that you are employed by an organization that would like to further invest in the development of internal software applications. The organization finds it very costly to maintain vendor built and maintained software apps. It believes that the strategy of developing internal software could provide cost savings in the long run.One of your responsibilities at this organization is to advise upper management on the latest trends and methodologies of software project management strategies. Upper management has asked you to identify and analyze the challenges and issues that the software development teams may experience if they transition to this new strategy. In addition, you are asked to provide your suggestions and solutions to mitigate the challenges and issues. Write a three to five (3-5) page paper in which you:

1. Describe the latest trends of software project management strategies and suggest at least three (3) methodologies of software project management strategies for this project.
2. Select the optimal software project management strategy for this project and provide a rationale. 
3. Select three (3) typical constraints that may exist while managing and leading software projects within this organization. Analyze why the determination and clarification of these constraints is essential within the planning phases of the project. Note: Please refer to Table 1.1 in Chapter 1 of the text for information on typical constraints on software projects.
4. Analyze the relationship between the organizational structure and a project manager’s level of authority and responsibility. 
5. Suggest how a typical software engineering team could be staffed and describe each team member’s role. Determine the skills that are required for each team member for the success of the software project development.
6. Select two (2) software project management frameworks as options for software development. Discuss how each framework provides an opportunity for efficient project resource management. Use examples to justify your answer. 

 TABLE 1.1 Typical constraints on software projects 

Constraint                                          Explanation 

Operational domain                           Environment of the users 

Operational requirements                  Users’ needs and desires 

Product requirements                       Functional capabilities and quality attributes 

Scientific knowledge                         Algorithms and data structures 

Process standards                            Ways of conducting work activities 

Project scope                                    Work activities to be accomplished 

Resources                                        Assets available to conduct a project 

Budget                                              Money used to acquire resources 

Completion date                               Delivery date for work products 

Platform technology                         Software tools and hardware/software base 

Business goals                                 Profit, stability, growth 

Ethical considerations                    Serving best interests of humans and society