Software project management - module objectives

Objective and Rationale for the Module

Information systems are playing an increasingly critical role within business organisations. It is therefore vital that systems are delivered in a way that meets the needs of the business. In Price Waterhouse’s IT Review for 1995/6 the top two issues as seen by IT executives are :

• Integrating IT with corporate objectives
• Transforming the business through IT

During the module you will investigate and analyse the techniques that can improve the management of IT within organisations. In particular, how systems development projects can be managed to achieve greater benefits for organisations. Not everyone will become a manager, but most will take part in a development project. An insight into the techniques and skills required by a project manager will enable you to be a more productive member of the project team.

It is important to realise that the project management role should be taken by those who are good at managing the development and leading the people, i.e. it should not necessarily be the fastest programmer or most creative designer. However, it is likely that today’s graduates will become tomorrow’s managers. The aims of the module are therefore:

• To provide you with an understanding of the role of IT project management.
• To develop your ability to manage high quality information systems projects.
• To enhance your awareness of current project management issues.

Project failure within computing continues to be a topic of concern to practitioners and academics alike. The findings show that the reasons for such problems are rarely technical. Issues to do with the management of the project, the organisational change and the quality of the product are the major reasons. This module is one of the many modules within Trent Universities’ program of Masters degrees.

The module covers:

• Software Project Management
• Project planning & estimating
• Project control
• Project management methodologies and tools
• Corporate software management
• Quality management
• Risk Management
• Quality management systems
• Process improvement Managing Software Teams
• Leadership
• productivity
• Team organisation
• Client and Supplier Liaison
• Managing the relationships
• Outsourcing
• Managing organisational change