Archive for the ‘Project Management’ Category

IT project management is getting better…….

According to the Standish Group, a respected IT industry analysis and research firm, IT project management is getting better, but still out of control. Consider these statistics from their 2004 version of the CHAOS report: http://www.softwaremag.com/L.cfm?Doc=newsletter/2004-01-15/Standish Although statistics are improving, it is still nowhere near perfection. Technorati tags: Project management, Standish Group, Rahul Desai

May 22, 2007 · Rahul Desai · No Comments
Posted in: Project Management

The final tasks and the final stages ….

On most of the projects (which are overrun), the project team and the project manager realize they are not prepared to complete the project on schedule and then the project manager looks for ways to speed up the process to complete the job on time, which usually means additional hours, nights, and weekends. As a successful […]

May 21, 2007 · Rahul Desai · No Comments
Posted in: Project Management, Software Engineering

Software development blunders…..not re-phasing / re-scheduling project tasks…..

It is a common scenario, where in you are into the development phase and you find you are lagging behind on development schedule or implementation schedule for a phase. And in such cases most common mistake made by project managers is “not revising the project tasks and / or priority of pending tasks”. The outcome […]

May 19, 2007 · Rahul Desai · No Comments
Posted in: Project Management, Software Engineering

Software development blunders…Large development teams…

Myth – Large development team can complete projects quickly… Larger the development team, more efforts required towards the management and the administrative tasks and less focus on key project tasks. Also, in event of project over runs, the cost of the maintaining the team multiplies rapidly…..resulting in huge revenue losses. Even if, developing of software could be […]

April 26, 2007 · Rahul Desai · No Comments
Posted in: Project Management, Software Engineering

Software development blunders…Fixes cost quotes…

Planning software-development projects based on fixed cost quotes or fixed man days basically does not work due to the unique nature of software development and hence wherever possible should be avoided. Client and the developer should always understand this industry fact and should be willing to resolve costing issues upfront (if and when it arises during project […]

April 25, 2007 · Rahul Desai · No Comments
Posted in: Project Management, Software Engineering

Learning from mistakes…

Well, all of us like to think that we learn from mistakes (whether our own or others is not a concern). So in theory, the more serious blunders you know about, the less likely you are to be under the bright light of interrogation, explaining how you managed to screw up big-time. I will start with some of […]

April 18, 2007 · Rahul Desai · No Comments
Posted in: Project Management

Subjective signals when someone is trying to be protective….

While body language can be a good indicator of someone who is trying to be protective, a person’s unconscious mannerisms aren’t always reliable. So how would you get signals from someone who is trying to be protective when the person is not physically present in front of you (I am referring to email conversation, chatting or […]

April 17, 2007 · Rahul Desai · No Comments
Posted in: Project Management

Project Scope and Estimate management….

Software development projects should definitely have a separate “Scope” document specially written which : Contains the micro level definitions for the work to be done as part of the project including Object level validations (very difficult to achieve but can be broadly spec’ ed out) Number of times the change cycle be allowed Change of delivery […]

April 4, 2007 · Rahul Desai · No Comments
Posted in: Project Management, Software Engineering, Talman news

Power of working as a Group

Everyone wants to be part of a team / department where all feel respected, included, energized, and appreciated. When you are a team / department leader and you manage others, it’s your responsibility to set the standard for behavior for the team / department. Your lookout, and how you are comprehended, surpasses the moment. Some good behavior tips when […]

April 1, 2007 · Rahul Desai · No Comments
Posted in: Project Management, Software Engineering

Micro managing team members….

No one likes the idea of Micro managing a team member, so what does micro managing mean? Micro managing means paying extra attention to minor details. In practice, this means managing at a level far lower and more detailed than necessary or appropriate. The following questions can answer some of the reasons for being micro managed: Is your […]

March 26, 2007 · Rahul Desai · No Comments
Posted in: Project Management, Talman news