Title: Software Project Management: The Manager's View

Abstract
As businesses increasingly rely on information technology for their operations, the role of
Information Systems (IS) managers becomes pivotal in ensuring the timely and budget-
conscious delivery of quality applications. This abstract provides a synopsis of a tutorial
aimed at equipping IS managers with the essential technical and management skills required
for effective leadership and control in software development projects. Focused on the
manager's perspective rather than the developer's, the tutorial offers a comprehensive
overview of contemporary software project management practices. Emphasizing the
challenges posed by large and complex projects, the tutorial delves into the evolution of
project management disciplines, presenting insights derived from various intricate projects.
With a specific focus on managing complexity, the tutorial addresses the unique demands of
modern software development, offering valuable insights into successful project
management in this dynamic and challenging landscape.

Introduction
The concept of managing projects is not a novelty; it has roots that stretch back to ancient
civilizations, evidenced by the monumental achievements like the Egyptian pyramids, the
Greek Parthenon, and the Great Chinese Wall. However, the distinct discipline of project
management, as we recognize it today, evolved from the structured efforts on large-scale
military projects, where a systematic approach became imperative to manage the intricate
interplay of tasks performed by diverse specialists.

In the contemporary landscape, project management has emerged as a cornerstone in

addressing the challenges of knowledge-based teamwork within organizations navigating
swiftly changing business environments. This evolution is marked by the provision of
powerful methods and tools for planning, organizing, and overseeing team-based activities
to achieve specific objectives. The importance of effective project management becomes
especially pronounced in the domain of software development, where the majority of
endeavors are undertaken as projects.

Software development projects stand out for their inherent complexity, unfolding in dynamic
environments where business conditions and technologies undergo constant evolution.
Compounding this complexity, users often grapple with uncertainty regarding their needs,
leading to frequent modifications in project requirements. Unfortunately, the software
industry has contended with issues such as cost overruns, delayed deliveries, compromised
reliability, and user dissatisfaction. Against this backdrop, the incorporation of robust project
management practices emerges as a critical factor in surmounting these challenges and
steering software development projects toward successful outcomes. This journey through
the historical evolution and contemporary relevance of project management sheds light on
its pivotal role in navigating the complexities inherent in the dynamic realm of software
development.
Literature Review
The purpose of this literature review was to examine the research conducted within the field
of project management to identify the most successful tool and methods for managing
them. This will add to the body of project management knowledge and be useful for
developing suggestions for areas of further research. The focus of this research study is on
the effectiveness of project management, not the success of a product completed during a
project. Some other topics that will not be covered within the scope of this literature review
include:
• Agile project management
• The extent of project management software used to improve efficiency
• Project risk management tools such as PERT
• Monte Carlo simulation
• Project portfolio management (PPM).

The materials reviewed included books, case studies, and journal articles. The databases
used to search for research materials included: Elsevier ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Wiley
Online Library, Elsevier ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, Sage and Springer, South
Western, Oxford, Emerald Insight, IEEE, HBRPress, Canterbury, Pergamon, JSTOR and
Springer.

Each of the research questions required an analysis of their individual topics, from their
origin through their evolution, and to the current practices and research findings. The three
major topics of research included: organizational structures used within project
management, cost management models used within project management, and leadership
methodologies used within project management. Yang, Huang, and Wu (2001), outlined the
importance of these three topics and the impact on project management effectiveness. The
purpose of this literature review was to address the uncertainty of the effectiveness of
project management tools which has come into question (Koskela, L., & Howell, G., 2002;
Mir & Pinnington, 2014). A systematic review of the literature delineated details allowing a
deep understanding of each topic. This provided the groundwork for answering the research
questions, drawing conclusions and making recommendations for future research

Methodology
The purpose of this research study was to review the methods and theories used within
project management that best aid in project management effectiveness. The three reviewed
areas of research enabled an examination of which methods and theories used within
project management have been found to be the most effective. A systematic literature
review was conducted to better understand the methods and theories used within
organizational design models, cost and schedule management and leadership styles. From
this review, an analysis was conducted to better understand which methodologies and
theories were found to be most effective within project management. The steps used within
a systematic literature review are: “1) Identify the research question(s); 2) Define inclusion
and exclusion criteria; 3) Search for studies; 4) Select studies for inclusion based on pre-
defined criteria; 5) Extract data from included studies; 6) Evaluate the risk of bias of included
studies; 7) Present results and assess the quality of evidence” (Creswell, 2009; Cornell
University, 2016, p. 1

Research questions

1. Which types of organizational design models most readily support project management?
2. Which cost models readily support project management?
3. Which leadership characteristics and methodologies most readily support project
management?
4. How can software project management practices be improved as a manager’s perspective

References

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AIS, Vol. 1, Article 13, March 1999. http://cais.isworld.org/articles/1-13/

Gogan, J.L., J. Fedorowicz, and A. Rao. “Assessing Risks in Two Projects: A Strategic
Opportunity and a Necessary Evil,” Communications of AIS, Vol. 1, Article 15, May 1999.
http://cais.isworld.org/articles/1-15/

Jurison, J. (1999) “Software project Management: A Manager’s View, ” Communications of

AIS, Vol. 2, Article 17, September 1999. http://cais.isworld.org./articles/2-17/ McFarlan,
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