Software Project Management

Assignment # 01
Objective:
The goal of this assignment is to simulate the real-world challenges of software project
management and provide an opportunity for students to apply and explain project management
concepts.

Question # 01:
What is the role of a software Project Manager and Program manager? Explain what skill sets
they must possess to be a good Software Project Management.

Answer:

Role of a Software Project Manager:

A software project manager is responsible for the planning, execution, and delivery of
software projects. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, develop project
plans, create and manage budgets, track progress, and identify and resolve risks.
Software project managers must have a deep understanding of the software
development process, as well as strong communication, leadership, and problem-
solving skills.

Role of a Software Program Manager:

A software program manager is responsible for overseeing multiple software projects

that are related to a common goal. They work with stakeholders to develop and
implement the overall program strategy, as well as manage the resources and risks
associated with the program. Software program managers must have a deep
understanding of the software development process, as well as strong leadership,
strategic thinking, and communication skills.

Skill Sets for Good Software Project and Program Management

Here are some of the key skills that software project and program managers must
possess:

Technical skills: A good understanding of the software development process, including

requirements gathering, design, development, testing, and deployment.
Communication skills: The ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all
levels, including technical and non-technical audiences.

Leadership skills: The ability to motivate and lead teams to achieve their goals.

Problem-solving skills: The ability to identify and resolve problems quickly and
efficiently.

Organizational skills: The ability to manage multiple projects and tasks

simultaneously.

Time management skills: The ability to meet deadlines and stay on budget.

Risk management skills: The ability to identify and mitigate risks to the project or
program.

In addition to these core skills, software project and program managers may also need
to have specific skills depending on the industry or type of software they are working on.
For example, a software project manager for a financial services company may need to
have experience with regulatory compliance.

Overall, software project and program managers play a vital role in the success of
software development projects and programs. By possessing the necessary skills and
experience, they can help teams to deliver high-quality software on time and within
budget.

Question # 02:
Write down summary paper and presentation using case studies attached with the assignment
1. Case Study 1 is for Roll ends with 0-1, Case Study 2 is for Roll ends with 2-3, Case Study 3
is for Roll ends with 4-5, Case Study 4 is for Roll ends with 6-7 and Case Study 5 is for Roll
ends with 8-9.

Answer:
Avalanche Technology Corp.

Introduction:

Avalanche Technology Corp. is a for-profit Minneapolis-based cooperative founded in

2001 to help companies save money on software and intellectual property development
by sharing resources.

Problem:
Software and intellectual property development can be very expensive, especially for
small and medium-sized businesses. Avalanche members can save money by sharing
access to a library of intellectual property assets, including integration applets,
application add-ons, best-practice documentation, templates, project plans, user
interfaces, software coding, and schemas.

Solution:

Avalanche members pay $30,000 a year for access to the library and can also donate
their own intellectual property to the library. The cooperative is responsible for
maintaining and supporting the assets, and ensures that there’s a clear title so member
companies can’t be sued later.

Benefits:

The financial models project a 20 percent to 40 percent decrease in the total cost of
ownership of software at member companies. Avalanche also helps to reduce the risk of
vendor lock-in and gives members access to a wider range of expertise and resources.

Challenges:

One challenge is getting members to really collaborate. Avalanche members are

encouraged to donate intellectual property, cooperate in adapting it for other
companies, help troubleshoot problems and form subgroups to develop needed niche
software for the library.

Conclusion:

Avalanche Technology Corp. is a unique and innovative approach to software and

intellectual property development. By sharing resources, Avalanche members can save
money, reduce risk, and gain access to a wider range of expertise.

Question # 03:
Discuss early development stage of Microsoft ©, team building and initial hurdles specially.
Also discuss difficulties and extraordinary success which they can’t even expect.

Answer:

Early Development Stage of Microsoft:

Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. In the early years, the
company focused on developing software for personal computers. Microsoft's first major
success came with the development of the MS-DOS operating system in 1981. MS-
DOS quickly became the standard operating system for personal computers, and
Microsoft became a major player in the software industry.

In 1985, Microsoft released Windows, a graphical user interface (GUI) for MS-DOS.
Windows made personal computers much easier to use and helped to popularize their
use in homes and businesses

Team Building:
 Bill Gates and Paul Allen were the core team members. Gates handled the
business and marketing aspects, while Allen was primarily responsible for the
technical development.
 They soon hired other talented individuals, including Steve Ballmer, who later
became CEO, and Steve Wozniak (who co-founded Apple), to help with product
development and marketing.

Initial Hurdles:

 Microsoft faced a number of initial hurdles in the early years. One of the biggest
challenges was the competition from IBM. IBM was the dominant player in the
personal computer market in the early 1980s, and it initially refused to license
MS-DOS to Microsoft.
 Another challenge for Microsoft was the lack of standardization in the personal
computer market. There were many different types of personal computers on the
market, and each one used its own operating system.

Difficulties:

 Microsoft faced several legal challenges, including an antitrust lawsuit filed by

the U.S. Department of Justice in the late 1990s, which led to a significant legal
battle.

 Developing and maintaining software for a rapidly evolving hardware landscape

presented technical challenges.

Extraordinary Successes:

 Microsoft's big break came when they licensed MS-DOS to IBM for its first
personal computer in 1981. This agreement set the stage for Microsoft's
domination of the PC market.
  The release of Windows 3.0 in 1990 revolutionized the operating system market.
Windows became the dominant platform for personal computers.

 The introduction of Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel, became a

software standard in businesses and households worldwide.

 Microsoft's bundling of Internet Explorer with Windows played a significant role

in the early growth of the internet.

 Microsoft's pivot toward cloud computing and the development of Azure has
positioned them as a leader in the cloud services market.

 Microsoft's extraordinary success is evident in its financial performance. In 2021,

Microsoft's revenue was $191.5 billion and its net income was $61.3 billion.
Microsoft is also one of the most valuable companies in the world, with a market
capitalization of over $2 trillion.

Conclusion:

Microsoft's early development stage was marked by both challenges and successes.
The company was able to overcome the challenges it faced by building a strong team,
adapting to the changing market, and focusing on customer satisfaction. Microsoft's
extraordinary success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its employees.