Effective Software Project Management

Chapter 39. Where Do You Want To Go and How Can You Get There?

First, I believed it could be done. Second, I believed that it could be done within the time period that had been set. Third, I was consumed with accomplishing the task. Fourth, I told all with whom I came into contact of my goal and asked for their help.

—James E. Buerger Publisher, Travelhost National

Chapter Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter, you will be able to: Understand the ideal SDPM end state Know the steps to follow to achieve the ideal end state

You’ve now come to the end of this journey through the contemporary systems development project management landscape. Much has been accomplished in the understanding of that landscape. You can now understand its strengths and its weaknesses. You know that it has a significant potential for contributing business value to the enterprise. You know how important it is that you who are from the project management discipline and the systems development discipline contribute to that business value, and you know how to do that, too.

In this chapter I intend to paint a picture of the ideal end state for software project management that I see for us and then spend some time discussing how that future state might come about.