This issue of the Software Tech News contains several articles that can help the reader enhance his or her software project management knowledge and skills. The first two articles address earned value management (EVM), a key component of effective software project management. (There are several other earned value management articles in Software Tech News Volume 12, Number 1, April 2009, “Earned Value Management: Keeping Your Project on Track”.) The first article by Anita Cukr, a certified Project Management Professional who is a noted author and lecturer in EVM, addresses myths associated with EVM. One important conclusion of this article is that EVM is not merely a financial reporting system, but an integrated project management approach. The second article by noted EVM author Paul Solomon provides a fresh approach to effectively using EVM for software projects using agile development methods.
The next article by Don Reifer, a renowned leader in the fields of software engineering and software management, addresses risk management. This is also a key component of effective software project management that is not always understood or emphasized. The next article by Carol Dekkers, an international expert in the field of software measurement, technology and globalization, addresses scope management (or requirements management). This article presents an unusual analogous look at how the formal scope management concepts can be expressed in terms of triathlon athlete performance in training and racing. The final article by three Program Directors at Defense Acquisition University (DAU) describes DAU courses that can be useful in improving project management skills. DAU courses are usually geared to the Department of Defense environment, but can be useful to anyone involved in acquisition management or project management in general.
