Linda Ricks
"Software development is making me feel an important person..."
In Software System development projects, Offshore Software Project plan is both process and one of the core documents. Being created on the earliest stage of the Offshore Software Project, the document is changed and refined during the overall Offshore Software Project lifecycle according to the changing circumstances. In Software Programming projects it helps not only to define activities, resources and costs, but also to assure mutual understanding of goals of the Offshore Software 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 Software Programming projects, because in such projects negotiation process is complicated by language, cultural and other barriers. Offshore Software Project plan is also targeted to assure the Software Programming provider’s ability to implement the Offshore Software Project. It confirms the availability of proper statement of work, necessary resources and properly qualified personnel as well as assignation of responsibilities within an Software Programming company and Client’s company. Software System development Offshore Software Project planning begins with defining the statement of work and goals. The main disciplines in Offshore Software Project planning are estimation of efforts (needed for planning, preparation, programming, testing, debugging and delivery), scheduling the Offshore Software Project, definition and analysis of risks, and negotiation of commitments. Planning process results in a plan of the Offshore Software Project (usually, Software System development plan). Despite use of the phrase “Software System development” in its name, the term “Software System development plan” refers to the whole Offshore Software 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 Offshore Software Project, its stakeholders (customer and end users), and defining the scope of the Offshore Software Project. It also includes standards, resources, designation of responsibilities, schedule and budget. The document must be reviewed and agreed by all affected parties (Offshore Software Project manager, Software System manager, Client, etc.).
Not only Offshore Software Project managers are responsible for planning. Programming team participates in Offshore Software Project planning from the first stages. Programming personnel must be involved in it on the earliest stages, estimation phase. The programming group participates in Offshore Software Project planning process throughout the overall Offshore Software Project, from estimation to testing, delivery and maintenance. Briefly, the activities performed while planning the Offshore Software 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 Software System Offshore Software Project (according to the chosen type, manageable stages of the Offshore Software Project lifecycle are identified)
5. Documentation of Software System development plan
6. Definition of project results
7. Measurement of Software System products size
8. Estimation of Offshore Software 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 Offshore Software Project plan must be verified by all parties of the project including representatives of both Client and Software Programming company.
Published on 7/30/2007
