Tipping Point
Chapter one abstract:
Have you ever been involved in a software development project,
either using your own developers or an external firm?
If you have you'll know that software development can be fraught
with problems if not done properly. Costs can blow out,
specifications can grow unchecked, deadlines can extend endlessly
and often the final product bears little resemblance to what was
originally planned.
The biggest challenge many organisations face is not knowing how to
scope, specify and input effectively into a software development
project. There's a lot to know and unless you're a trained
technical project manager, it can be an expensive trial and error
process.
That's why we've written this multi-part white paper series titled
'The business manager's guide to running successful software
development projects: How to avoid budget blowouts, scope creep,
unhappy users, late delivery and underwhelming applications'.
Our aim is take you through the steps required to build a
successful software development project - using internal or
external development resources.
In this first chapter we explain:
- why software development is complex
- what the main problem areas are in development projects
- what a needs analysis is
- the components of a good needs analysis process
The business manager's guide to
running successful software development projects
Inside the tipping point - Knowing
when, what and how to outsource your company's IT
Inside the tipping point - Counting
the cost of under performing IT systems