Managing Software Development Projects for Maximum Productivity

In the area of software development, data processing management often focuses more on coding techniques and system architecture than on how to manage the development. In recent years, ``structured programming'' and ``structured analysis'' have received more attention than the techniques software managers employ to manage. Moreover, these coding and architectural considerations are often advanced as the key to a smooth running, well managed project. This paper documents a philosophy for software development and the tools used to support it. Those management techniques deal with quantifying such abstract terms as ``productivity,'' ``performance,'' and ``progress,'' and with measuring these quantities and applying management controls to maximize them. The paper also documents the application of these techniques on a major software development effort.