Reverse mentorship

How to start a software project

Software projects can be complex and often present unforeseen and challenging hurdles for both the project manager and the project team. Yet almost every business will, at some point, need to undertake a software project – whether that is implementing industry-standard software in a standard way, or building bespoke software tailored to their specific business needs. Preparation and planning are important to any project but they are vital to software projects if the outcome is to truly benefit the business.

Let’s take a look at the important considerations that you need to think about when it comes to starting a software project, and what makes a software project a little different to other projects you might tackle.

What makes a software project different?

There are a number of facets that make a software project different to other types of projects. Whilst all projects are complex, software projects are complex for their own unique reason, and this is that they are based on logical work rather than physical. This means that within the team, there must be a much higher degree of communication between all of the team members because there is a much higher chance that unexpected things will occur that will result in the need to reevaluate the next stage of the project. The project manager and all of the members of the team need to know exactly what is going on all the time, so good communication systems and more frequent team meetings are a must.

Software projects are also intangible, that is to say you cannot see them – there is nothing physical that is being created. This can result in more anxiety during the project process because there is less for stakeholders to actually see. They are also more challenging because it is often harder to evaluate what the next step will be until you have completed the one you are working on. The costs are not as easy to see either because the budget is almost entirely spent on labour rather than the items needed to build the final product.

It is also important to note that even now, there are continual changes within the field of technology, and this often renders some of the technologies you are using for a project or even the project being worked on obsolete.

Considerations for your software project

Before you can even begin the very basic work for your software project there are a number of things that you need to consider.

Does your software project have a clear goal?

Well-recognised approaches to managing projects such as PRINCE2, PMI or APM project management, all agree that every project needs a clear goal at the outset. Otherwise, you are setting yourself up for failure. When you have a clear goal, you will be able to align all of the project’s expectations and the development process. You will need to explore things like the project’s objectives, the success metrics you plan to impose and the user experience you want to achieve. At this point in the planning of your project, you need to incorporate project scope and timelines, risk management strategies, budgeting needs, integration and change management solutions, including training and integration of the new software.

Consider the budget for your project

Budgeting is always a challenge for any project, so it is essential to consider your budget allocation at the very beginning of the project. You need to know the extent of the budget that you have been allocated so that you can determine if it will cover all of the phases of the project. In doing this, you should also look at:

  • Cost Breakdowns
  • Return on Investment
  • Do you have a Contingency Fund?
  • Resource Costs – Remember these can often fluctuate, so make sure you have the staffing you need from the get-go.
  • Software Lifecycle Costs – You need to make sure you are budgeting for these as well.
  • Opportunity Cost
  • Risk Assessment
  • How will the financial health of the company be impacted
  • Will regular budget reviews be carried out?

Do you have the resources for the project?

The resources you need for your project can be the difference between success and failure and in the case of a software development project having the right mixture of skills to ensure smooth progression is essential. In addition to ensuring that you have the right mix and number of members on your team you also need to know that they have the time to devote to the project. If there are any skills missing from your team that you will need for a successful project, then you will either need to look for a way to recruit new members to your team or consider additional training for those team members you already have.

Other resources that you must ensure you have considered for your project are technical resources, whether you have effective project management skills (or if you need to consider further PM courses), and if you have the right vendor support in terms of both capability and reliability. If you do not have these and the necessary backup resources, then your project could be in trouble before you start.

Supporting change and innovation

Even the best project, no matter how well planned it is, will not go far in a company that does not value and support change and innovation. Whilst it is true that many are often reluctant to change the processes and systems that they use, preferring to stick to tried and tested routes, often changes and particularly those that relate to software can be incredibly beneficial.

Remember to highlight all the innovations and changes that the project will bring and how they can help the company in order to get support for the software project. You should also highlight the need for training for employees so that they will be able to get the most from the new software. Without adequate training, they may feel lost and unsupported.

Final words

Before you can even start working on a software project, you must prepare a significant amount as a project manager if you are to have the best chance of success. Ensure that you put all of the necessary work into your project planning stage, including considering your budget, resources and risk management and that you have everyone on board.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.