Courses

We offer 2 courses, directly or through our partner organizations (SoftEd, SPC and Zuhlke):

• Software Project Management
• Software Architecture

Software Project Management with RUP

There is a wealth of information available on project management. But unfortunately, we have come to realize that only a small fraction applies to software project management.

This course is about new practices and new ideas project managers ought to consider making their software development projects succeed. What makes software different in project management? Why did the traditional approaches to project management used in other industries fail in software endeavours? This course will include a critique of the “thermostat model” of management, of WBS (Work Breakdown Structure), Gantt and PERT charts, and much of the common wisdom represented in the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge), for example. We will look at how a new breed of techniques and tools are emerging, more suited to software development, with iterative development and agile methods: XP, Scrum, Lean Development, Adaptive development, RUP, and how to reconcile the new with the old.

Outline

• Overview of project management
• Managing time and schedule
• Managing risks
• Managing Quality
• Managing Objectives and Scope
• Managing Complexity
• Managing Changes
• Managing Software Assets (reuse)
• Managing Products
• Managing People
• Managing the process

Audience: For new software project managers; for project managers transitioning from more traditional approaches, or with little experience in software projects.

Duration: 2 to 3 days.

Course also offered through SoftEd; see http://www.softed.com/Courses/spm.aspx

Software Architecture and Iterative Development

The architectural design of a system serves as a bridge between requirements and implementation. This course examines the role of architectural design in the system development lifecycle and reviews underlying principles, concepts and methodologies. Topics include: architectural representation, desirable qualities of a software architecture, the role of architecture in managing risk, common architectural frameworks, object-oriented approaches, the impact of commercial off-the-shelf products (COTS) and standards, and how & where architectural design fits in an iterative software development lifecycle, such as the Rational Unified Process (RUP).

Outline

• Definitions of software architecture (what)
• Benefits of software architecture (why)
• Software architecture in the development lifecycle (when)
• The architect and the architecture team (who)
• Software architecture artifacts (how)
• Software architecture representations: multiple views (how)
• A typical architectural iteration (how)
• Architecture design methods: SAAM, ADD, etc.
• Capturing and exploiting architectural knowledge; architecture decisions
• Architecture assessment and review

Duration: 2-3 days. Best combined with an architectural assessment.

Course also offered through SPC; see http://www.spcspringboard.com/catalogue/kruchten/architecture.htm