Your ability to manage software projects effectively will determine if you’ll excel in your job as a software project manager or perform below par. Of course, as an ambitious software project manager, you’ll want to strive to do the former. But it’s never easy!
Managing software projects can be stressful and nerve-wracking, especially when it comes to the projects of top clients with high expectations. A little mistake in the execution or delivery process can make you lose such clients, which is bad for your reputation and pockets.
To manage a software project successfully and get many kudos you and your team deserves, you need to consider the following tips.
Gather the Right Team
As a project manager, you are not only in charge of the successful initiation and completion of a software project; it is also your duty to hire the right individuals for the project. And since the project’s success depends on the project team, we advise that you take your time to assemble the right individuals.
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Hire developers who have skills that match the project description. Ensure you access their professional and personal attributes to determine which developers are ideal for a project. When you hire the right developers for a project, the project gets completed faster. If you do otherwise, you may encounter several difficulties which could ruin or delay the project.
Define the Project Scope
Before you kick off a project, ensure you sit down with the necessary stakeholders to define the project scope. Make sure you determine all related activities of the project, resources, timelines, deliverables, project boundaries, etc.
Identifying the boundaries and constraints of a project will ensure that all involved parties understand the purpose of the project and how it’ll be created. For the development team, taking such a step will diminish the possibility of “scope creep,” or the inclusion of extra work that wasn’t highlighted in the scope.
Leverage Outsourcing Services
No man is an island. While your in-house software team may handle basic projects easily, you’ll need external help when it comes to projects requiring specific experts. Rather than spending money and time hiring experts for a certain project, why not consider Staff Augmentation Companies to make things easier? Staff augmentation allows you to add specialized talents to complete a project. By leveraging staff augmentation companies, you can expand your in-house team. The results? Flexibility, quick project completion, better control, and satisfied clients..
Indicate Deadline
All projects come with deadlines that must be met by software project managers. While it is possible to extend previously set deadlines, most clients like it when their projects are completed on or before deadlines. So, it is up to you, the software project manager, to ensure that the project is completed in time.
To achieve that, you’ll need to map out a project management plan, including deadlines and millstones. Plus, you’ll need to look at which part of the software depends on others to work. Concentrate on these phases of the development life cycle:
- Initiation
- Planning
- Execution
- Closure
It is also important that project managers pinpoint possible difficulties or challenges, like a feature that may be hard to create or one that will need the help of certain experts.
Conclusion: Tips for Managing Software Projects
As a software project manager, it is your duty to ensure that projects are completed in time and based on the client’s requirements. With the tips mentioned above, you have a shot at managing software projects effectively. The results? Return clients, and more profits for the company. Also, don’t forget to prioritize effective communication when dealing with your project team, as it is necessary for the timely and effective completion of projects.
Barry Brown is a content writer at Outreach Monks. He writes technology articles and provides useful information which helps readers to get more ideas.