Deciphering the Global or Quality Software Project Management

Deciphering the Global

Author: Saskia Sassen

What is it that we attempt to name with the term "globalization"? Breaking with prevailing scholarship, Deciphering the Global relocates the terms of debate surrounding globalization from the heights of global markets, states, and international corporations to the messier, more complex ground of the local, where broad globalizing trends are negotiated in interesting and often unexpected ways. Each of the essays in Saskia Sassen's collection introduces a new type of complexity and ambiguity to the study of the global, confronting questions of space and the fact that both the local and the global are increasingly multi-scalar. In turn, the chapters in this book expand the analytical terrain of the global, demanding new methodologies and interpretive frames for the study of globalization. Employing ethnographies from the United States to continental Europe, Asia, and South America, Deciphering the Global exemplifies the next wave of globalization studies and lays the ground-work for a new school in the study of the global.

Go to: Spoonful of Ginger or Breuss Cancer Cure

Quality Software Project Management

Author:

The practical handbook of software project management-by practitioners, for practitioners!

Quality Software Project Management is the practical, start-to-finish project management resource for every software professional-experienced managers and developers moving into leadership roles. Drawing on best practices identified at The University of Texas at Austin Software Quality Institute's successful Software Project Management Certificate Program, it identifies 34 key competencies every project manager can use to minimize cost, risk, and time-to-market. Written by leading practitioners, it addresses all three pillars of any successful software venture: process, project, and people.

• Integrates best practices from the fields of quality, software engineering, and project management


• Shows how to tailor best practices to the unique requirements of your projects


• Covers the entire project lifecycle: planning, initiation, execution, monitoring/control, and closing


• Illuminates its techniques with real-world software management case studies


• Offers a solid foundation for pursuing advanced certifications such as the Project Management Institute's Project Management Professional (PMP(r)) and the American Society for Quality's Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE)

Endorsed by the Software Quality Institute (SQI), Quality Software Project Management teaches skills you can use right now to drive maximum business value in any project-large or small.

Contains practical checklists, templates, and forms-all downloadable from the book's companion Web site

Practical checklists,templates, forms—all downloadable from the book's companion Web Site: stealthis.athensgroup.com/QSPM

Booknews

Written for software developers preparing to become project managers, this book presents the product development techniques, project management skills, and people management skills necessary to manage a software project. The authors focus on the concept of the software life cycle to represent the sequence of events that occur in software development, and describe several software life cycle models from which a project manager may choose. Topics include estimating duration and cost, defining the software requirement specification, and selecting the project team. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Table of Contents:

Contents.
Foreword.
Preface.
Using the Guide as a Course Text.
Acknowledgements.
1. Introduction.
Introduction to the 34 Competencies. Surveying the Foundations. Some Other Useful Definitions. Product Development Techniques. Project Management Skills. Summary. Problems for Review. Citations.
2. A Case in Point.
Background Information on the Chinese Railway System. Railroad Building in China. Chinese Business Environment. Project Description. A Final Note: Potential Market for Software. Citations. Web Pages for Further Information.
3. Process Overview.
Key Chapter 3 Points. Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 3. Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 3. SEI CMM Level 3 Is the Defined Level. IEEE 1074-Process Map for Software Life Cycle Process. Customized Software Development Process. Software Project Management Organization Life Cycle. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. References. Web Pages for Further Information.
4. Selecting Software Development Life Cycles.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 4 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 4. What Is a Software Development Life Cycle? Why Are Software Development Life Cycles Important? Selection and Tailoring of Software Development Life Cycles. Is a Quality Objective. The SEI CMM and the Life Cycle. International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/IEC 12207. Software Development Life Cycle Models. Selecting an Appropriate Software Development Life CycleModel. Customizing the Life Cycle Model. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. References. Web Pages for Further Information.
5. Managing Domain Processes.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 5 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 5. Defining the Process Domain. Project Selection Models. Project Portfolio Management. Understanding Financial Processes. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Web Pages for Further Information.
6. Selecting a Project Team.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 6 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 6. Selecting a Project Team. The Whole Is the Sum of the Parts. Parts Need to Work Together. Working Together Requires a Framework. Providing the Total Solution. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
7. Defining the Goal and Scope of the Software Project.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 7 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 7. Project Planning. What Is “The Goal” ? What Is the Scope of Work? Project Charter. The Software Project Management Plan. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
Creating the Work Breakdown Structure.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 8 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 8. What Is a Work Breakdown Structure? Approaches to Building a WBS. Defining Project Milestones. Creating Work Packages. Building a WBS for Software. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
9. Identifying the Tasks and Activities.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 9 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 9. Characteristics of Tasks and Activities. The Activity ID Process. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. References. Web Pages for Further Information.
10. Software Size and Reuse Estimating.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 10 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 10. The SEI CMM and Estimating. Problems and Risks with Estimating Software Size. Getting Started with Software Sizing: Estimating Begins with Planning. The Effects of Reuse on Software Size. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
11. Estimating Duration and Cost.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 11 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 11. The SEI CMM and Estimating. Effort Measures. The Steps in Estimating. COCOMO: A Regression Model. COCOMO II. SLIM: A Mathematical Model. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. References. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
12. Assigning Resources.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 12 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 12. Organizational Planning. Identifying and Documenting the Project Roles and Skills Needed. Assigning Responsibilities to Individuals. Establishing Reporting Relationships. Project Management Resource Activities During Execution. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
13. Choosing an Organizational Form.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 13 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 13. What Is an Organization? Characteristics of an Organization. Organizational Structures. Implementing an Organizational Structure. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. References. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
14. Considering Dependencies.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 14 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 14. What Are Dependencies? Types of Software Development Dependencies. Brainstorming Dependencies and Activities. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
15. Scheduling the Work.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 15 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 15. Why Schedule? The Uncertainty of Scheduling the Future. Scheduling Fundamentals. PERT and CPM Scheduling. Leveling Resource Assignments. Map the Schedule to a Real Calendar. Critical Chain Scheduling. Complete Process for Building a Real Schedule. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
16. Eliciting Requirements.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 16 Relation to the 34 Competencies 506. Learning Objectives for Chapter 16. Background for Requirements Management. Requirements Management and the SEI CMM. Critical Success Factors as Applied to Software Requirements. What Is a Software Requirement? What Makes a “Good” Software Requirement? Requirements Elicitation Methods. Guidelines for Writing Quality Requirements. Challenges in Eliciting Requirements. Requirements and Quality Function Deployment. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
17. Developing the Software Requirements Specification.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 17 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 17. Questions the SRS Answers for a Project. Benefits of an SRS. Building the SRS. Evaluating the Project SRS. Degree of Stability. Degree of Necessity. Verifiability. Modifiability. Traceability. Some Final Hints. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. References. Web Pages for Further Information.
18. Determining Project Risks.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 18 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 18. What Is Risk Management? Risk Management Models. Project Risk and the SEI. Identifying Risks. Analyzing and Quantifying Risks. Developing and Controlling Risks. Risk Categories. Steps in Developing a Risk Management Plan. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Web Pages for Further Information. Risk Management Tools. References.
19. Introduction to Software Engineering.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 19 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 19. Software, Engineering, and Software Engineering. Software Engineering Body of Knowledge. SWEBOK and the SEI CMM. SWEBOK and the 34 Software Project Management Competencies. SWEBOK and Quality Software Project Management. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Web Pages for Further Information. Suggested Readings.
20. Reliability.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 20 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 20. Software Reliability Terminology. Fault Forecasting. Fault Prevention. Fault Removal. Fault Tolerance. Reliability Tools. Software Reliability Plan. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Standards. Web Pages for Further Information. Tools. Suggested Readings.
21. Software Metrics.
Where We Are in the Software Life Cycle. Chapter 21 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 21. What Is a Metric? The Importance of Metrics to Software Projects. Metrics and the SEI CMM. SEI CMM Level 2: Repeatable. SEI CMM Level 3: Defined. SEI CMM Level 4: Managed. Useful Metrics. The Basili Goal/Question/Metric Paradigm. A "Basic Metrics" Starter Set. Measuring Aspects of Software Quality. The Metrics Plan. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
22. Analysis and Design Methods.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 22 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 22. Analysis and Design and the SEI CMM. Structured Analysis/Structured Design (SA/SD). Object-Oriented Analysis/Object-Oriented Design (OOA/OOD). Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
23. Validation and Verification.
Reviews, Inspections, and Walkthroughs. Testing. Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 23 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 23. Static Testing: Reviews. Dynamic Testing. Directed Flow Graph: McCabe Cyclomatic Complexity Analysis. User Acceptance and Usability Testing. The Ideal Test Coverage. Dynamic Testing: Measurement, Reporting, and Decision Making. Object-Oriented Testing. Summary of Dynamic Testing. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
24. Use of Tools.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Learning Objectives for Chapter 24. Software Requirements Tools. Software Design Tools. Software Construction Tools. Software Testing Tools. Software Maintenance Tools. Software Configuration Management Tools-CMM Level 2 and Above. Software Engineering Life Cycle Process Tools. Software Engineering Process Tools. Software Quality Tools. Software Engineering Management Tools. Infrastructure Support Tools. Miscellaneous Tools Issues. Minimal Tool Sets. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Tools. Web Pages for Further Information. References.
25. Project Tracking and Control.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 25 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 25. Control Systems. Scope Management. Schedule Management. Cost Management. Quality Management. Progress Management. Risk Management. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
26. Continuous Process Improvement.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 26 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 26. Maturity Level Process Characteristics. Waste in the Software Development Organization. Six-Step Software Development Process Improvement Model. Applying the Software Development Process Improvement Model. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Tools. Web Pages for Further Information. Suggested Readings.
27. Project Termination.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 27 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 27. Why Terminate? Types of Termination. What to Do upon Project Termination. Termination Process. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
28. Post-Performance Analysis.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle.
Chapter 28 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 28. What's in a Name? How to Conduct a PPA. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
29. Reporting and Communicating.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 29 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 29. Effective Communication. Communication Techniques. Communicating with Teams. Communication and Motivation Skills of a Software Project Manager. Behavioral Theory and Motivation. Project Manager Behavior That Motivates. Communicating in Meetings. Communicating via Negotiation. Negotiating and Culture. Communicating via Visual Expression of Information. Reporting Project Status. Communications Management Plan Template. Baseline Plans. Project Reporting. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Suggested Readings. Web Pages for Further Information.
30. Software Quality Assurance.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 30 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 30. Building the Software Quality Assurance Plan. Ensuring the SQAP. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. References. Web Pages for Further Information.
31. Software Configuration Management.
What Is Software Configuration Management? Why Is SCM Important? Who Is Involved in SCM? How Can Software Configuration Be Implemented in Your Organization? Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 31 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 31. SCM Principles. The Four Basic Requirements for an SCM System. Planning and Organizing for SCM. SCM Tools. Benefits of SCM Process and Tools. Some Problems with Software. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. References. Web Pages for Further Information.
32. Legal Issues in Software.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Chapter 32 Relation to the 34 Competencies. Learning Objectives for Chapter 32. Product Development Techniques. Project Management Skills. People Management Skills. Legal Risk Issues. Summary. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Web Pages for Further Information. Suggested Readings.
Summary.
Product Development Techniques. Project Management Skills. People Management Skills. Visit the Case Study.
Supporting Organizations. Appendix A Relation to the 34 Competencies. Key Appendix A Points. Organizations Supporting Software Development. Project Management. State and Local Quality Organizations and Awards. Visit the Case Study. Web Pages for Further Information.
Real World Projects.
Case 1: Managing a Portfolio of Client Projects. Hardware Tester Company Projects. Case 2: COTS Software Selection for Information Technology Systems. Case 3: Legacy Software Re-engineering. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study.
Creating the Business Plan.
The Technology Business Plan as the Company's Meta-Plan. What Is the Technology Business Plan? Why Build a Technology Business Plan? Technology Business Plan Contents. Making the Business Case Cost Benefit Analysis in a Technology Business Plan. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Web Pages for Further Information.
Understanding Systems Engineering.
Where We Are in the Project Management Life Cycle. Learning Objectives for Appendix D. Classical Systems Engineering Model. Requirements Engineering. Types of Product Systems. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. References. Web Pages for Further Information. Tools.
Distance Project Management.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Learning Objectives for Appendix E. Managing Distance Projects-Communications. Managing Distance Projects-Remote Teambuilding. Managing Distance Projects-Tools. A Case in Point-Quorus(tm). Ten Commandments of Managing a Remote Project Team. Problems for Review. Visit the Case Study. Citations. Web Pages for Further Information.
Project Artifact Templates.
Where We Are in the Product Development Life Cycle. Learning Objectives for Appendix F. Software Project Management Plan (SPMP). Software Requirements Specification (SRS). Project Risk Management Plan. Software Test Plan. Software Configuration Management Plan (SCMP). References. Web Pages for Further Information.
Joint Application Design in Use.
What the Team Did Right. What the Team Would Change Next Time. JAD Team Documents. Final JAD Documents.
Glossary.
Quality Engineering Glossaries. Software Engineering Glossaries. Project Management Glossaries. Quality Software Project Management. Practitioner's Glossary.
Bibliography.
Print Bibliography. Web Pages for Further Information.
Index.