Applied Software Project Management

Part II: Using Project Management Effectively

It's not enough for a project manager to understand practices that are used by all of the team members. A good project manager also needs to know how to lead the team. The second part of this book is focused on learning how to use the five basic principles listed above in order to work with people, teams, and organizations. Each chapter in Part II takes on specific areas of project management:

Chapter 9, Understanding Change

Introducing practices, tools, and techniques to your organization's culture

Avoiding the most common pitfalls in selling your ideas

Planning for your changes and making them succeed

Chapter 10, Management and Leadership

Understanding responsibility, authority, and accountability

Creating a culture of transparency in your organization

Working with your organization and your team

Chapter 11, Managing an Outsourced Project

Preventing the most common sources of failure in outsourced projects

Forming a relationship with the team and management at an outsourcing vendor

Reviewing and collaborating between organizations

Chapter 12, Process Improvement

Understanding when process improvement is useful (and when it isn't)

Utilizing process improvement models and certifications

Working with third-party processes and methodologies

Our goal in writing this book is to help you build better software. If you implement all, some, or even one of these practices, we think you will see a noticeable improvement in the efficiency of your projects—and that it will make your job easier. We have tried to make it clear throughout this book exactly why we think these things are important. We use them every day in our own work, and we hope you find them as helpful and satisfying as we do.