Software Project Management Brochure Template Page 10
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Handbook on Software Engineering & Knowledge Engineering
Organizational Aspects
Software project management always involves various organizational aspects,
such as creating and staffing development teams, assigning roles to the team
members, modalities of software development, leadership considerations,
interpersonal communication at work, staff training and embracing new
technologies, organization's culture, social and ethical issues, and so on [3], [4],
[12], [16]. Organizational aspects of software development are crucial for all
successful projects. They are neither about hardware nor about software - they
are about ``peopleware", i.e. about using, coordinating, and managing human
resources in an organization effectively. In the context of fast-paced and
extremely fluid dynamics of software industry, the key to success or failure of
software project is the way it is organized and managed.
The foundation of all organizational aspects in software development are the
general principles shown in Figure 5, as suggested in [16]. Experience shows
that the four principles in the corners of the square in Figure 5 constitute the
roots of most software organizations' cultures, hence it is important for project
managers to fully understand their meanings and importance. The principles are
not mutually exclusive, and they all have advantages and disadvantages.
Adopting any one of them in a new software organization does not guarantee
success and does not necessarily result in projects' failure.
intrinsic flexibility
independence
collaboration
group
cohesion
hierarchy
alignment
Figure 5 - General principles of software organizations (after [16])
The principle of hierarchy implies a strict pyramid of leadership, roles,
duties, and tasks in the organization, with strict adherence to the organization's
internal rules. Drifting away from the predefined overall course of the
organization is interpreted as a lack of loyality that may lead to the
organization's instability, and is not tolerated.
On the opposite end of the same ``dimension" is the principle of
independence. It relies on the individuals' initiative and individuality in doing
their jobs, directing their work, and to an extent even in decision making.
Organizations that adopt this principle are usually open to innovation and
changes, new technologies, and creative autonomy of their members.
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