SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Running head: SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Title: Examining Delays in software projects: Exploring the role of teams (Human Resources)
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Acknowledgement
The completion of this research study would not have been imaginable without the guidance of
my professor. I would like to show my gratitude towards my lecturer and my fellow team
members who have helped me to complete this study. Also, I would like to thank my parents for
supporting me throughout this course.
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SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Abstract
The undertaken study aims in discussing the key sources of delays in software projects. The
study will be analyzing the key reasons that can significantly disturb the timely execution of any
undertaken software project. A mixed research method is chosen for execution of the software
study. The findings of the data obtained from the secondary resources are validated by collection
of the data from the primary resources as well. The primary data is collected by survey and is
analyzed through excel spreadsheet. The conclusions of the study are documented in the data
analysis and the discussion section. The study concludes with providing recommendations on
reducing the project delays by improving the communication and the collaboration process of
team participants of the software project team.
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SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Table of Contents
1. Introduction.....................................................................................................................4
2. Literature Review............................................................................................................5
2.1. Introduction...............................................................................................................5
2.2. Examination of the Delays in Software Project........................................................5
2.3. Exploring the Role of Team and Human Resources in Project Delays....................7
2.4. Reducing the Project Delays due to Human Resource.............................................8
3. Methodology....................................................................................................................8
3.1. Introduction...............................................................................................................8
3.2. Research Methods.....................................................................................................9
3.3. Data Collection.........................................................................................................9
3.4. Data Analysis..........................................................................................................10
4. Results and findings.......................................................................................................10
4.1. Introduction.............................................................................................................10
4.2. Data Analysis..........................................................................................................11
5. Pure results.....................................................................................................................16
6. Discussion (support or neglect).....................................................................................17
7. Recommendations and limitations.................................................................................18
7.1. Recommendations...................................................................................................18
7.2. Limitations..............................................................................................................19
8. Conclusion.....................................................................................................................19
References..........................................................................................................................21
Appendices........................................................................................................................25
Appendix 1: Questionnaire............................................................................................25
Appendix 2: Data Analysis............................................................................................27
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SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
1. Introduction
An appropriate project methodology is generally opted for managing and implementing a
software project. The method that is chosen not only aims in delivering the software product in
accordance to the objectives and the specifications set by the clients, but also aims in delivering
the final product in a specific time. However, in certain or majority of the cases, delays in
software project are observed (Choetkiertikul et al. 2015). Therefore, it becomes integral to
address the factors that contributes to the delays in software projects. There can be several
reasons of project failure and therefore it becomes integral to explore the role of teams and the
human resources in managing the projects.
The study targets to explore the work of team in managing the delays in the software
projects. The project team has an integral work to perform in guaranteeing that the undertaken
projects are delivered in a successful manner and therefore, one of the most substantial reason
behind any disaster in a software development, include ineffective team management and lack of
proper understanding of the team in managing the progress of the development project. The
undertaken study will be evaluating the existing literature sources to comprehend the major
reasons of delays in the software projects and will also be evaluating the extent to which human
resources play a role in managing the delays. Apart from that, there are several other reasons of
project delays and failure of an undertaken project; however, in this particular research the role
of the team in managing or contributing to the project delays will be evaluated.
In the following paragraphs, the undertaken study embarks in detailed review of literature
and also proposes an appropriate method for performing this undertaken research. Along with
that, he findings from the data collected are analyzed as well to understand the factors that
primarily affects the normal execution of the software projects and contributes to project delays
(Amandin and Kule 2016). A skilled project team is generally chosen who have a detailed
knowledge of the various processes and techniques that can be undertaken for implementation of
a software project in a successful manner. The delays in the software project can be addressed by
effective resource planning so that the effect of human resources in project delays can be
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SOFTWARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
reduced. The research study will further discuss the findings and provide recommendations for
managing and eliminating the project delays.
2. Literature Review
2.1. Introduction
Literature review is an essential part of the study as it provides a detailed description of
the proposed research by analyzing the previous researches that has been done in this field.
Literature review is vital as it helps in proving the relevance and the originality of the proposed
research topic or research problem. This understand study aims in examination of the delays in
any software projects with a special concentration on the role of the teams and the human
resources. The extensive literature review that has been performed in this research has enabled
the researcher is evaluation of the previous researches that have been done in the field. The
secondary data that is obtained from the literature review forms the base of choosing an
appropriate methodology for the research. The methodology for the undertaken project is mainly
selected on basis of the secondary data that is collected through evaluation of the existing
research.
2.2. Examination of the Delays in Software Project
Delays in software and IT projects are quite common and therefore, it is necessary to
remain aware of the impact of the delays on IT projects. Since IT is one of the fastest growing
fields in engineering, it is quite integral to understand the consequence of the delays in such
projects and the reasons of delays. According to Jain and Suman (2015), the delay in a software
project is primarily linked with the price and timings of the undertaken project and therefore, it is
hardly surprising if delays in software projects persists. Various researchers have identified
several reasons of delays in an IT project and one significant reason of delays in the project is
scope creep.
Scope Creep occurs in a project when there are badly defined system requirements and
objectives. Ambiguities in the initial specification of the software projects can significantly
affect the timely completion of the project. Scope creep in software projects is a reason of project
delays since in case of scope creep, changes in the initial plan in the project is to be made that
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