Introduction to Software Project Management
Even if you’re not a software developer or engineer, it’s important to be aware of the value of good software project management as it ensures projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet the desired quality standards.
In this article, we will define software project management in detail, discuss the role of a software project manager, and share some tips on managing software projects successfully.
Before we dive into the topic, you can start a free trial with Wrike right away to consolidate all your software projects in a single platform.
What is software project management?
Software in project management is dedicated to the planning, scheduling, resource allocation, execution, tracking, and delivery of software and web projects.
Project management in software engineering is distinct from traditional project management — software in project management has a unique life cycle process that requires multiple rounds of testing, updating, and customer feedback. Most IT-related projects are managed in the Agile style to keep up with the increasing pace of business and iterate based on customer and stakeholder feedback.
The role and responsibility of a software project manager
Software project managers may have to do any of the following tasks:
- Planning: The software project manager puts together the blueprint for the entire project. The project plan will define the scope, necessary resources, timeline, procedure for execution, communication strategy, and steps required for testing and maintenance.
- Leading: A software project manager assembles and leads the project team, which consists of developers, analysts, testers, graphic designers, and technical writers. Heading up a team requires excellent communication, people, and leadership skills.
- Execution: The person who manages software projects will supervise the successful execution of each stage of the project. This includes monitoring progress, conducting frequent team check-ins, and creating status reports.
- Time management: Staying on schedule is crucial to the successful completion of any project. This can be particularly challenging with the management of software projects because changes to the original plan are almost guaranteed as the project evolves. Software project managers must be experts in risk management and contingency planning to ensure progress in the face of roadblocks or changes.
- Budget: Like traditional project managers, professionals who manage software projects are tasked with creating a budget for a project and sticking to it as closely as possible, moderating spending and reallocating funds when necessary.
- Maintenance: Project management in software encourages constant product testing to discover and fix bugs early, adjust the end product to the customer’s needs, and keep the project on target. The software project manager ensures the product is properly and consistently tested, evaluated, and adjusted accordingly.
How to manage a software project successfully
According to Forbes, there are eight ways to manage software projects effectively. These tips include:
- Taking non-development work off your team’s plate to let them focus on the product
- Motivating your team by sharing others’ success stories
- Avoiding any changes to tasks once assigned
- Trying to stick to the plan (until it needs to be changed)
- Encouraging organization by being organized yourself
- Streamlining productivity through effective delegation
- Getting to know your team and building a rapport
- Breaking down the plan and assigning specific daily tasks
Supercharge your software projects with Wrike
As we’ve discussed, effective software project management can lead to increased productivity and reduced risks. It allows organizations to adapt to changing requirements, manage resources efficiently, and ultimately deliver successful software projects.
Wrike can play a pivotal role in enhancing your software project management efforts. With its real-time features and user-friendly interface, Wrike makes it easy to streamline project management tasks, improve communication, and foster true collaboration within teams.
By leveraging Wrike’s powerful platform, you can seamlessly manage product timelines, allocate development team resources, monitor bugs, and keep customers informed, ensuring a smoother path to software development success.