Steps in Project Plan

The software project plan requires not be a lengthy and complex document. Its main goal is to help establish the viability of the software development effort. The planning concentrates on a general statement of what and a specific statement of

I.   Introduction

           A.   Purpose of Plan

           B.    Project Scope and Objectives

           1.     Statement of Scope

           2.    Major Functions

           3.    Performance Issues

           4.    Management and Technical Constraints

II.   Project Estimates

          A.   Historical Data used for Estimates

          B.    Estimation Techniques

          C.    Estimates of Effort, Cost, Duration

III. Risks Management Strategy

          A.   Risk Table

          B.    Discussion of Risks to be managed

          C.    RMMM Plan for each risk:

1.  Risk Mitigation

2.  Risk Monitoring

3.   Risk Management (contingency plans)

IV. Schedule

A.   Project Work Breakdown Structure

B.    Task Network

C.    Timeline Chart (Gantt chart)

D.   Resource Table

V. Project Resources

A.   People

B.    Hardware and Software

C.    Special Resources

VI. Staff Organization

A.   Team Structure (if applicable)

B.    Management Reporting

VII. Tracking and Control Mechanisms

A.   Quality Assurance and Control

B.    Change Management and Control

VIII. Appendices

Fig - Software Project Plan

How long and How much. Subsequent steps in the software engineering process will concentrate on development, definition and maintenance.