Has your company developed entirely new software or added to software already in use throughout the organization and found the process cumbersome, frustrating, and sometimes not living up to expectations or meeting organizational goals? If so, the solution to a smooth and effective development program may be as easy as staffing a well-qualified project manager and adopting a proven development process.
Developing a Practical Approach: The Role of the Project Manager
When undertaking a software development project, the first element to consider is the establishment of a comprehensive yet practical approach to the initiative that ultimately will lead to a successful end result.
The in-house project manager has a key role in ensuring each phase of the project is carried out as planned. The project manager is responsible for considering the potential risks involved with the project and how to avoid and resolve them, establishing and maintaining momentum throughout the project, ensuring individual project team member tasks are assigned appropriately and carried out according to specifications, and successfully addressing and resolving any conflicts that may arise during the length of the development project.
A well-qualified project manager is able to address what may seem to be an overwhelmingly complex process by developing an organized approach where the process is broken down into manageable individual tasks and understanding how to keep those involved in the project dedicated to the ultimate goal of meeting and even exceeding the expected end result.
Embarking on the Initiative: Key Steps to Consider
With a comprehensive approach and a competent project manager in place to guide the new software development initiative, there is another important element your organization may find helpful as you embark on the project: establishing specific steps that can be followed to project completion that are based on proven industry experience in such a project environment.
Two renowned experts, Dr. Gordon Scott Gehrs and Dr. Dorota Huizinga, single out nine key steps to consider as you embark on a software development project:
Step #1: Conduct Feasibility Analysis
Step #2: Analyze and Determine Requirements
Step #3: Consider Industry Best Practices
Step #4: Design
Step #5: Measuring and Tracking Progress
Step #6: Development
Step #7: Addressing Automation
Step #8: Testing
Step #9: Gradual Implementation Practices
Full article, presenting in detail these key practical guidelines to approach a software development project, is available at: http://www.executivebrief.com/article/9-steps-to-a-hassle-free-and-effective-software-development-project/
By ExecutiveBrief: http://www.executivebrief.com