Software Acquisition and Project Management Lesson I: Introduction

Getting to know Me? * criteria…  Name/nickname  Degree  What are your likes/dislikes?  Technology  Life  What do you expect from the instructor?  What do you expect to learn?  What grade you want to achieve?  After your bachelor’s degree, what is your next plan?

Course Description  This course provides a high level introduction to two areas that are crucial to the IT profession, namely software acquisition and project management.  It introduces students to the phases both in the project management and software acquisition and implementation process.  Since requirements are crucial to both activities, the course will provide students with an in-depth introduction to requirements engineering.  The course will also introduce students to a widely used project management information system.

Software Acquisition  Computer Software determines the types of tasks a computer can help you to accomplish. These are the computer programs and any additional files that are provided to carry out a specific type of task.  Program is a set of instructions that a computer follows in order to perform a specific function.  Software programs written used to control and direct hardware functions and operations. Categories of Software 1. Application or Custom or Private software 2. General-purpose software 3. Systems software 4. Rogue software

1. Application or Custom or Private Software  It is the software designed and written to perform a specific task for computer users.  It adapts the computer to the task the user wants done.  Examples:  Payroll System Video Rental  Database System Registration  and Billing System Grocery  Inventory System Library Database System 2. General-purpose Software  It is the software that provides the framework for a great number of business and personal applications.  Most general-purpose software is sold as a package(sold with manuals).  Examples:  Word Processing Software  Spreadsheet Software  Presentation Graphics Software  Multimedia Software  Desktop Publishing Software  Database Management System (DBMS)  Utility Software  Web Authoring Software  Number Crunching Software

3. Systems Software  The system software controls the operation of a computer and its devices, as well as enables application software to run on the PC.  The operating system is the main component of system software that enables the computer to manage its activities and the resources under its control, run application programs, and interface with the user.  It is software designed to help control the computer system.  It is independent of any specific applications area. TYPES OF SYSTEMS SOFTWARE 1. Operating Systems 2. Programming Languages 3. Translators 4. Rogue software  Any software that runs on the computer without the user’s knowledge and consents that does damage to computer files.  TYPES OF ROGUE SOFTWARE 1. Back Doors 2. Chameleon 3. Logic Bombs 4. Trojan Horses 5. ANSI Bombs 6. Worm 7. Virus

Software Acquisition  Acquisition is the process of obtaining products and services through contracting.  Those organizations that are purchasing or commissioning, rather than developing, at least some of the products or parts of the products.  The growing trend towards outsourcing or off shoring makes this practice area much more common.

Software Acquisition  Software Acquisition is where requirements engineering significantly meets business strategy.  For many organizations, software development is not an option.  Cost, skills, and the availability of software solutions on the market mean that acquisition is always the chosen route and requirements engineering is always done in this context.

Software Engineering Practice Areas Software engineering practice areas are those necessary for applying the appropriate technology to create and evolve both core assets and products. They are:  Architecture Definition  Architecture Evaluation  Component Development  Mining Existing Assets  Requirements Engineering Requirements Engineering  Software System Integration  Testing  Understanding Relevant Domains  Using Externally Available Software

Requirements Engineering  Requirements are statements of what the system must do, how it must behave, the properties it must exhibit, the qualities it must possess, and the constraints that the system and its development must satisfy.  The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) defines a requirement as  A condition or capability needed by a user to solve a problem or achieve an objective  A condition or capability that must be met or possessed by a system or system component to satisfy a contract, standard, specification, or other formally imposed document  A documented representation of a condition or capability as definition 1 & 2

Project Management  Project Management is the art of matching a project’s goals, tasks and resources to accomplish a goal as needed.  Is the discipline of carefully projecting or planning, organizing, motivating and controlling resources to achieve specific goals and meet specific success criteria.  Is a methodical approach to planning and guiding project processes from start to finish.

Related Topics:  Project Management Methodology  Project Scope and Activity-planning  Planning, estimation and scheduling  Team Management  Project Monitoring and control