Software Engineering basics - Software Project Management (SPM)

Software Project Management (SPM) is the process of planning, organizing, scheduling, and managing resources to successfully complete a software project within defined scope, time, cost, and quality constraints.

Key Aspects:

  1. Planning – Defining project goals, requirements, scope, and deliverables.

  2. Scheduling – Breaking the project into tasks, estimating time, and creating timelines (e.g., Gantt charts, Agile sprints).

  3. Resource Management – Assigning people, tools, budget, and technology to tasks.

  4. Risk Management – Identifying possible risks (e.g., delays, budget overruns) and preparing mitigation plans.

  5. Monitoring & Control – Tracking progress, measuring performance, and ensuring the project stays on track.

  6. Communication – Coordinating between developers, testers, managers, and clients to ensure smooth collaboration.

Objectives:

  • Deliver software on time

  • Stay within budget

  • Meet quality standards

  • Satisfy customer requirements

Example:

Suppose a team is building a mobile app:

  • Planning: Decide features, platform (iOS/Android), tools.

  • Scheduling: Break work into modules (UI, backend, database) with deadlines.

  • Resource allocation: Assign developers, designers, testers.

  • Risk management: Prepare for risks like scope changes or technical issues.

  • Monitoring: Weekly progress reports and sprint reviews.