SPM Unit 1 Notes
SPM Unit 1 Notes
SPM Unit 1 Notes
Project Definition:
Project is a one-time, multitask job with a definite starting point, definite ending point, a clearly
defined scope of work, a budget, and usually a temporary team
When the project is finished it must be evaluated to determine whether it satisfies the objectives
and goals.
Project Constraints
Scope (S): The magnitude or size of the project
Performance requirements (P): technical and functional
Cost (C): Cost to do the job / project
Duration (T): Time required for the project
Mathematically C = f(P,T,S)
Project Characteristics:
Here are some of the characteristics
The following characteristics distinguish projects:
2. Complexity: Software project contain more complexity than other engineered artefacts.
3. Conformity: Physical systems are governed by consistent physical law while Software
developers have to conform to the requirements of human clients.
A software project is concerned not only with the actual writing of software. In fact, where a
software application is bought in 'off-the-shelf', there might be no software writing as such. This
is still fundamentally a software project because so many of the other elements associated with
this type of project are present. Usually, there are three successive processes that bring a new
system into being:
l. The feasibility study This is an investigation to decide whether a prospective project is worth
starting. Information will be gathered about the general requirements of the proposed
system. The probable developmental and operational costs, along with the value of the benefits
of the new system are estimated. With a large system, the feasibility study could be treated as a
project in its own right.
2. Planning If the feasibility study produces results that indicate that the prospective project
appears viable, then planning of the project can take place. In fact, for a large project, we would
not do all our detailed planning right at the beginning. We would formulate an outline plan for
the whole project and a detailed one for the first stage. More detailed planning of the later stages
would be done as they approached. This is because we would have more detailed and accurate
information upon which to base our plans nearer to the start of the later stages.
Individual projects are likely to differ considerably but a SDLC(ISO12207) is shown in Figure
below
ISO 12207 life-cycle
• Requirements analysis
• Functions
• Quality
• Architecture design
• Of individual components
• Integration
• Qualification testing
• Installation
• Acceptance support
Objective versus Product: It should be very clear in the start whether the main objective
of the project is to produce a product or to meet certain objectives.
A lot of software projects operates in two stages. First is an object driven project resulting
in recommendations. Secondly create a software product.
Compulsory Versus Voluntary Users : In many organisations, there are systems which
staff have to use if they want to do something such as recording a sales transaction.
However the use of a system is becoming voluntary as in the case of computer games. In
such cases it is difficult to elicit precise requirements from potential users as we could
with a business system. What the game will do will thus depend much on the informed
ingenuity of the developers, along with techniques such as market surveys, focus groups
etc.
Information Systems Versus Embedded Systems : Information systems control
processes whereas embedded systems controls machines like home automation,
automated warehouse
Stakeholders:
Stakeholders are the people involved in or affected by the project actives. Stakeholders
include
Internal To Project Team: They are under direct managerial control of project
lead
External To Project Team But within Same Organization: Example, the
project lead might need the assistance of people to carry out system testing.
External To Both Project Team and Organization: These are the people,who
will benefit from the system that project implements.Ex: Contractors ,suppliers
etc..
There are various types of projects undertaken by the software industry and equally as
many challenges, including the following:
• Project Board
• Steering committee
Objectives:
Focus on what will be put in place, rather than how activities will be carried out
A – Achievable, that is, it is within the power of the individual or group concerned to meet the
target
R – Relevant, the objective must relevant to the true purpose of the project
T – Time constrained: there is defined point in time by which the objective should be achieved
Goals/sub-objectives:
These are steps along the way to achieve the objective. Informally, these can be defined by
completing the sentence…
Objective X will be achieved If the following goals are all achieved
A……………
B……………
C…………… etc
Individual may have the capability of achieving goal, but not the objective on their own e.g.
What is Management?
Management can be defined as all activities and tasks undertaken by one or more persons
for the purpose of planning and controlling the activities of others in order to achieve
objectives or complete an activity that could not be achieved by others acting
independently.
Planning
Organizing
Staffing
Directing
Controlling
Management Functions:
Planning
Predetermining a course of action for accomplishing organizational Objectives
Organizing
Arranging the relationships among work units for accomplishment of objectives and the
granting of responsibility and authority to obtain those objectives
Staffing
Selecting and training people for positions in the organization
Directing
Creating an atmosphere that will assist and motivate people to achieve desired end results
Controlling
Establishing, measuring, and evaluating performance of activities toward planned
objectives
Management control
Information – the data is processed to produce something that is meaningful and useful e.g.
‘productivity is 100 documents per day’
Comparison with objectives/goals e.g. we will not meet target of processing all documents by
31st March
Modelling – working out the probable outcomes of various decisions e.g. if we employ two
more staff at location X how quickly can we get the documents processed?
Implementation – carrying out the remedial actions that have been decided upon
Project Planning:
Step 1.1 : Identify objectives and practical measures of the effectiveness in meeting those
objectives
Step 2.1: Identify relationship between the project and strategic planning
Step 2.2 : Identify installation standards and procedures.
Step 2.3 : Identify project team organization.
Project planning is an iterative process. As the time approaches for the particular activities to
be carried out they should be re-planned in more detail.