Managing Projects in the Computer Industry

Reviewer: Barrett Hazeltine

The author summarizes, with characteristic clarity, that “the article presents recommendations for project planning, for the use of project management tools, and for planning and conducting project review meeting.” Initially, the need for project management is described with reasons for failure. Specific guidelines are given for launching a project and then characteristics of a sound project plan are provided—a sound plan is comprehensive, unique, and detailed. Tasks are assigned clearly so someone is responsible and everyone knows when they are completed. The plan is endorsed by the line management responsible and is kept current. Some tools for project management are described, such as for time analysis (i.e., PERT), resource analysis, and cost analysis. This article makes a great deal of sense and should be useful to both technical and management-oriented people. We expect managers to understand and appreciate the technology, but it is just as necessary for technical specialists to understand and appreciate the management principles.