Since the earliest days of the computer industry, managing a
software project has been a complex and demanding activity. While
the technical content of software products and the technical
methods used to build them have changed over time, the fundamental
issues that determine the success or failure of software projects
have remain fairly constant. That is, the same fundamental
management mistakes continue to be made. To cite a few examples;
requirements are unclear at the beginning of projects and are not
managed during the project, the product is not tested adequately,
schedules are misestimated or not tracked in sufficient detail. The
contents of this book, together with the underlying IEEE Standards,
are dedicated to helping the reader in their work: The continuing
quest to produce quality software products in a predictable
manner.



This book, containing all original material, is based on the
proposition that the IEEE Software Engineering Standards capture
many of the fundamental 'best practices' of software project
management. It is written to assist the reader in applying those
standards to their projects and company. To meet this goal, the
authors discuss and elaborate the standards that bear on the three
key management areas of: Software systems engineering, Processes
for developing software products, Planning and control of software
project activities.



The body of the book is correspondingly organized into three parts.
Software Systems Engineering, which argues that software
development projects are most successful when developed using a
systems level viewpoint. Process Management and Control, which
describes the key activities needed to define, support, and manage
a project's software development processes. Project Planning and
Management completes the book, integrating the elements of cost and
schedule estimation and control, risk management, and the role
metrics play in performing those tasks.