Project Management

Articles

software development model showing basic work products and the V&V activity Quality Assurance Section for a Design Specification

This article explains the contents of a quality assurance section for a design specification. It includes reasons why this section is needed by design-time, clarifies the difference between quality assurance and software testing, relates the outline to the V Model, and provides a format easily transferable to other project documents, such as project plans and proposals.

Margaret Harris
When Should You Start Project Overtime?

Many managers believe that overtime, even extended overtime is a good thing, and will help a project make progress. However, most technical people who try to work more than two weeks of overtime make huge numbers of mistakes. Often, they don't realize the mistakes and have already wasted a lot of time and money.

Johanna Rothman's picture Johanna Rothman
The Sarbanes Effect on Software Development

One of the most pervasive, and often justified complaints coming from QA professionals is that senior corporate management seems unaware of their existence, let alone their value. All too often perceived as a necessary evil or discretionary expense, QA is often a target of budget and schedule cuts. But all that could change with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In this column, Linda Hayes explains what this new legislation could mean for your QA team.

Linda Hayes's picture Linda Hayes
Open Source and Hype

Hype is not unknown in the software field. The advocates of every new software idea exaggerate the benefits of using that idea. Those exaggerated claims generally have no basis in reality. In this week's column, Robert Glass explains his theory about Open Source Software.

Robert Glass
model for estimating ROI Calculating ROI on your Investment in Requirements Management Tools

There's no question that a commercial Requirements Management tool is very useful; but, can it pay for itself at your company? In this article we'll look at a model to help you calculate ROI on Requirements Management tools.

Richard Denney
Are You Lying to Your Customers?

It's important to be honest when dealing with customers, no matter what that honesty entails. You may not always be able to deliver your product on time, but not communicating that truthfully with your customer can be devastating to your business. Dare to tell your customers the truth. They don't like to hear bad news, but they'll appreciate you for giving it to them straight and giving it to them as soon as possible. This article will help motivate you.

Naomi Karten's picture Naomi Karten
You Make the Call

When several different test automation vendors provide similar services, it is sometimes difficult to choose the right test automation software. Clinton Sprauve illustrates how to research various vendors, establish your testing needs, and create a solid plan of attack for the test tool selection process.

Clinton A. Sprauve
Agile Codeline Management

Software developers often view version management tools and techniques as a necessary evil. This is particularly true of developers practicing agile techniques. However, version management, can be an aid to agility rather than something that gets in the way.

Steve Berczuk's picture Steve Berczuk
First Things First: Emotions in the Workplace

What do you do when you're upset about something at home and you know you need to focus on work? Do you try to push your emotions aside and tough it out? Paradoxically, when we ignore our emotional responses they poke back up and get in the way. When emotions are acknowledged, people are better able to focus on the task at hand. Esther Derby offers some advice for dealing with the "human stuff."

Esther Derby's picture Esther Derby
Give 'em the Business

Miscommunication is at the heart of most software defects. Being knowledgeable about a company as a whole, and not just about the specs of a particular project, is just one more way to safeguard against failures. Read on as Elisabeth Hendrickson explains the importance of technical people staying informed about business strategies.

Elisabeth Hendrickson's picture Elisabeth Hendrickson

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