Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The SDLC and How Program and Project Management Applies

Technology Project Management

My latest question that I answered in,

http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/questions/101-215110?tag=mantle_skin;content

Sorry, I only joined as an expert with techrepublic only recently but I would have wanted to answer and respond to the below question. I say never too late but it may be. I was concerned because I did not see an answer to this most important question. Just in case someone else has the below question, I will provide my answer to the question.

Project Management

“Hey there, im studying SDLC’s, can someone please give me there definitions of Project management, and how it is implemented in the system development life cycle (not software development lifecycle)”


My comments:

Yes, good study area. When you refer to the SDLC, originally known as the system development life cycle, it is also currently known as the System/Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Often the software development portion of it is used for software and application development of a single product, software system or application. See if your study verifies this.

If I am correct, you want the perspective of the system development life cycle as a whole and how project management fits within this context. This link here provides a diagram of the SDLC and reflects the integration of how /where project and program management applies. This diagram also reflects how configuration management and quality assurance’s verification and validation are integrated within the SDLC. LinkLDamon this link has to be put in after you change the URL or leave as I change it or suggest another one to show “system”.

Program and Project Management does apply to the system (and software) development life cycle. See links below for a definition and explanation of project management. There is a definition/explanation for Program Management as well. Both of these management disciplines apply to the SDLC. It is Program management that applies to the system as a whole and it is project managers (project management) that manage each subsystem/component of the system. It is an allocation or breakdown of the system into subsystems, components, and other major components that become projects to be developed and integrated, or delivered to be integrated, into the system. You also may have subcontractors or vendors developing development and/or delivering components of the system that may be projects. These deliverables are integrated into the system as well during system integration before system testing and qualification.

Additional Resources:

  1. Responsibilities of a Project and Program Manager
  2. Project and Program Management Differences

But remember, within the System Development Life Cycle lies the software and hardware (subsystems or components of the system) development life cycles. The software could be software and/or firmware (embedded program systems).I hope that is helpful and useful for your studying.