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Software Design and Development

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Projects and their management

This material provides a definition of project work and a discussion of how it differs from ordinary, routine work. The activity aims to help students consolidate their understanding of project management methodology.

Syllabus outcome

H5.1 A student applies project management techniques to maximise the productivity of the software development.

Much of the learning in this course is based on project work. Understanding the nature of project work is vital to a student’s success in completing the course project(s) requirements.

Students are expected to demonstrate project management skills whilst completing their software development projects. The syllabus stipulates that students must learn about “applying project management techniques� (Syllabus document pp 50-51).

Have you ever worked on a project before? Perhaps in a school project that you completed by yourself or with others? The word “project� is a very common word in everyday vocabulary. It is associated with small and complex endeavours - organising a school formal, building a fence, constructing a dam, producing a music CD.

To assist you to apply project management techniques to your software development project, an understanding of the theory behind the methodology is important. Spottydog’s Project Management web site has useful training guides.

It must be noted that the contents of this site are written with a particular audience in mind and hence not all are relevant to the Software Design and Development syllabus. The following activity will help you pick the relevant information that will help you understand the basics of project management.

Activity

Read the questions below and then read the information provided at Spottydog's Project Management web site . Return to this page and answer the following questions.

1. Determine whether the following statements are true or false. If the statement is false, change the italicised word or words to make the statement true.
   1. A project is an ongoing activity.
   2. Every project is unique and hence often involves generating new ideas and learning new skills.
   3. Project management is a methodology used to bring about a solution to an identified problem or need.
   4. Projects are constrained by time, cost and uncertainty.
   5. Brainstorming is a technique most useful in the closing stage of the project.
2. List four main characteristics of a project.
3. Briefly describe the stages in a project life cycle.
4. Project managers must possess the skills listed below. Explain how each of these skills might contribute to their effectiveness.
   1. technical skills
   2. communications skills
   3. team skills
5. A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) lists the tasks that need to be completed in the duration of the project. Discuss its relevance in creating a project Gantt chart.

Check the suggested answers.

Further resources

TenStep Project Management  
All about project management

This work was prepared by Elsa Lat

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