Software Project Management For Dummies

The increase in project outsourcing has forced traditional programmers to take on the role of project managers and quickly learn how to manage software projects The author discusses all of the essentials in widely accepted project management methodology, from managing programmers to assessing and eliminating risk The book covers the iterative development model, using Microsoft Project 2003, as well as a variety of methodologies including eXtreme, open source, SQA testing, software life cycle management, and more The companion Web site contains tools, case studies and other resources to help even novices get up and running

* The increase in project outsourcing has forced traditionalprogrammers to take on the role of project managers and quicklylearn how to manage software projects* The author discusses all of the essentials in widely acceptedproject management methodology, from managing programmers toassessing and eliminating risk* The book covers the iterative development model, usingMicrosoft Project 2003, as well as a variety of methodologiesincluding eXtreme, open source, SQA testing, software life cyclemanagement, and more* The companion Web site contains tools, case studies and otherresources to help even novices get up and running

Introduction 1Part I: Starting Your Software Project 7Chapter 1: Examining the Big Picture of Project Management 9Chapter 2: Initiating a Software Project 25Chapter 3: Creating the Software Scope 55Part II: Planning Your Software Project 77Chapter 4: Planning for Communications 79Chapter 5: Planning for Software Project Risks 107Chapter 6: Planning for Software Quality 131Chapter 7: Building the Project Team 147Chapter 8: Creating Project Time Estimates 165Chapter 9: Building Your Project Budget 191Part III: Executing Your Software Project Plan 209Chapter 10: Working the Project Plan 211Chapter 11: Working with Project People 229Chapter 12: Procuring Goods and Services 245Part IV: Controlling Your Software Project 263Chapter 13: Managing Changes to the Software Project 265Chapter 14: Using Earned Value Management in Software Projects 281Chapter 15: Tracking Project Performance 295Part V: Closing Your Software Project 313Chapter 16: Finalizing the Project Management Processes 315Chapter 17: Documenting Your Software Project 333Part VI: The Part of Tens 347Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Make Your Software Project Crash and Burn 349Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Make Any Software Project Better 359Appendix: Formal Project Management Training and Certification 369Index 375