Custom Software Product Development Custom Software Development Project Planning

Joe Spencer
"I know how to plan the success..."

In Custom Software Product development projects, Custom Software Development Project plan is both process and one of the core documents. Being created on the earliest stage of the Custom Software Development Project, the document is changed and refined during the overall Custom Software Development Project lifecycle according to the changing circumstances. In Offshore Outsourcing projects it helps not only to define activities, resources and costs, but also to assure mutual understanding of goals of the Custom Software Development Project.

Planning is aimed not only at planning resources and activities but also at agreeing estimates, goals and commitments among all stakeholders. It must be paid special attention in Offshore Outsourcing projects, because in such projects negotiation process is complicated by language, cultural and other barriers. Custom Software Development Project plan is also targeted to assure the Offshore Outsourcing provider’s ability to implement the Custom Software Development Project. It confirms the availability of proper statement of work, necessary resources and properly qualified personnel as well as assignation of responsibilities within an Offshore Outsourcing company and Customer’s company. Custom Software Product development Custom Software Development Project planning begins with defining the statement of work and goals. The main disciplines in Custom Software Development Project planning are estimation of efforts (needed for planning, preparation, programming, testing, debugging and delivery), scheduling the Custom Software Development Project, definition and analysis of risks, and negotiation of commitments. Planning process results in a plan of the Custom Software Development Project (usually, Custom Software Product development plan). Despite use of the phrase “Custom Software Product development” in its name, the term “Custom Software Product development plan” refers to the whole Custom Software Development Project, and is not limited to only construction phase. Statement of work is the basis for further planning activity. It is usually a separate document (SOW) covering business goals and needs of the Custom Software Development Project, its stakeholders (customer and end users), and defining the scope of the Custom Software Development Project. It also includes standards, resources, designation of responsibilities, schedule and budget. The document must be reviewed and agreed by all affected parties (Custom Software Development Project manager, Custom Software Product manager, Customer, etc.).

Not only Custom Software Development Project managers are responsible for planning. Programming team participates in Custom Software Development Project planning from the first stages. Programming personnel must be involved in it on the earliest stages, estimation phase. The programming group participates in Custom Software Development Project planning process throughout the overall Custom Software Development Project, from estimation to testing, delivery and maintenance. Briefly, the activities performed while planning the Custom Software Development Project are the following:
1. Estimation and its negotiation
2. Involving of all affected parties (writing documents from one party; review and agreement from the other)
3. Review and negotiation of commitments
4. Definition of type of Custom Software Product Custom Software Development Project (according to the chosen type, manageable stages of the Custom Software Development Project lifecycle are identified)
5. Documentation of Custom Software Product development plan
6. Definition of project results
7. Measurement of Custom Software Product products size
8. Estimation of Custom Software Development Project budget
9. Definition of needed computer and personnel resources
10. Documentation of project’s schedule
11. Risk analysis
12. Definition of needed facilities.

The Custom Software Development Project plan must be verified by all parties of the project including representatives of both Customer and Offshore Outsourcing company.

Published on 7/30/2007