Software project management

Software project management includes series of activities to manage the project right from kick-off to closure. It is the incorporation of appropriate methodologies, principles, and guidelines during software development phases. It is a set of practices to put a balance between time, effort, quality, and cost.
Some of the high-level project management activities include- planning, resourcing, budgeting, estimation, scheduling, milestone setting, mentoring, monitoring, and controlling of the project tasks.

The project manager is the person who oversees and controls the software development activities during SDLC. The software management activities are broadly categorized into:

1. Project Initiation
2. Project Execution
3. Project Closure






Project Initiation: After the sign-off is received on the SOW (statement of work) from the client, the software project initiation activities begin. The account and finance departments are informed of invoicing. The HR dept is informed of staffing needs. The project is added to the organization's standard directories for the record. Team formation begins and kick-off is organized. Induction and training needs are identified and organized. Project scheduling is conducted during the initiation phase in which all the project tasks and planning activities are broken down and a schedule is prepared against each task with duration, start date, end dates, and allocated resource. Project planning is initiated and documented in a project plan document. Sign-off on the project plan is expected from the client before the project execution. 


Project execution: Project execution activities include execution and incorporation of the project plan, and implementation of standard guidelines, procedures, and principles. Efforts are made towards achieving the milestones and targets. The reports, progress, and status are shared among stakeholders. Reviews and walkthrough are organized and feedbacks are captured.


Project closure: Project closure is the concluding phase of the software development life cycle. User guides and manuals are prepared for the client's reference. Release notes are prepared with details of deliveries made and shared across stakeholders. Project closure document is prepared which houses closing comments, project strengths, project improvement opportunities, project metrics in terms of profit margins, schedule, effort, budget, cost, saving benefits. Click here to download project closure template for free.