Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Advice for a New Software Project Manager?

Posted by Cliff on from the pass-along-thy-wisdom dept.

Tom O'Neill asks: "I have recently been promoted to 'Manager of Software Development' at the small business I work for. I have been developing web-based software professionally for about 6 years. I have seen the software development cycle work and I have seen it fail. Are there any project managers out there with some advice for a green horn like myself? Are there any books or other reading material that I could read in order to manage a software project effectively?"

3 of 63 comments (clear)

  1. Remember how to manage people by nytes · · Score: 5, Funny

    Your chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Your two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Your *three* weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the penguin.... Your *four*...no... *Amongst* your weapons.... Amongst your weaponry...are such elements as fear, surprise....

    --
    -- I have monkeys in my pants.
  2. Another thing by Safety+Cap · · Score: 5, Informative
    You'll do yourself a favor if you network with other IT PMs.

    Many people have been where you are now; tap their experience and avoid the pitfalls they got to live through.

    You can find a bunch at the local PMI Chapter.

    --
    Yeah, right.
  3. Know your people by Reemi · · Score: 5, Interesting

    My personal tips, based on that projects are executed by people:

    - Know the people you work with, understand the way they communicate progress/problems. Everyone is different

    - Create an atmosphere where delays are acceptable, but only when pre-announced. This avoids surprices just before a deadline and allows you to take actions in time.

    - When assigning a task, let the receiver make a time plan and commit to it. You'll find out they are in general too optimistic but highly motivated to make it because they made this promise towards you. Never push a deadline on them if you can avoid it.

    - Don't ask for too many progress reports, talk with your people and ask once in a while a snapshot of the current task. Non-performers can be identified in an early stage this way.

    All items I mentioned are human related. Why? Because my experience is that in most cases that is the only area where one can (is allowed to) make a difference.