CS3007A Software Project Management

Problem Sheet 10

Lecturer: Dr Robert Macredie

E-mail: Robert.Macredie@brunel.ac.uk,

Introduction

In the tenth session we talked about approaches which might help with some of the general problems which we have identified as facing SPM. We focused on three different approaches: the Capability Maturity Model (CMM); Rapid Application Development (RAD); and Component-Based Development (CBD). We looked at each of these approaches in turn, exploring the motivation for their development and use, and discussing the things which they require in order to be successful. A central reason for looking at these approaches was to reflect on the inherent limitations of each approach when it comes to addressing the problems which SPM faces.

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes for the problem sheet are as follows:


(i)     for each of CMM, RAD and CBD, to be able to explain the 
        approach, the motivation for its development, and the things 
        which it requires in order to be successful;

(ii)    to be able to explain the relevance of each of these approaches 
        to SPM and to critically discuss how they aim to address some 
        of the problems faced in SPM;

Questions

(i)     What problems faced by SPM do each of CMM, RAD and 
        CBD aim to address?

(ii)    What is the motivation for the development of each approach? 
        Try to relate this to problems which you have seen in earlier parts 
        of the module, and give examples of scenarios where each might 
        be a useful approach, justifying your suggestions.  

(iii)   For each of the approaches, certain things will be required if the 
        approach is to be successful.  These may be technological 
        (such as certain kinds of software); human (such as the importance 
        of particular kinds of people being involved) or organisational (such 
        as the ways the organisation sees the development).  What might 
        these be for each of the three approaches?

(iv)    What is the relevance of each of the three approaches to SPM? 
        How does each approach aim to address some of the problems 
        faced in SPM?

I would encourage you to work in groups of around five for this and subsequent exercises.

Robert Macredie

28 November 1998