Managing Software Projects in the Public Sector

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May 2, 2023 Business

The public sector commissions countless software development projects every year, and they even fund businesses that promise to deliver beneficial software. With so many projects taking place, the public sector needs a team of effective project managers to see these projects to fruition, but what does this look like? According to the UK Association of Project Management, a project manager is responsible for scope, quality assurance, scheduling, resource planning, and risk management.

Defining Scope

Scope for software projects in the public sector involves writing down a plan detailing everything that will be delivered through the duration of the project. Understanding scope is essential for software projects in the public sector, as there are countless different types of people involved and they all have various expectations and needs. Without defining scope, these expectations lead to promises that will never be realised.

At the very beginning of the project, be sure to communicate with everyone involved so that everyone is on the same page, and then touch base throughout to make sure you’re all turning at the same rate.

Quality Assurance

Every software project within the public sector has to meet all expectations outlined during the planning stage of the project. Public servants take this part of the project seriously, as they’re committed to delivering results to the public.

Quality assurance needs to be integrated into the entire roadmap, instead of being an afterthought. This makes sure that everyone working on the project is doing so to an agreed standard.

Creating a Roadmap

Software development isn’t an easy task to accomplish, but it still needs to be completed on time, which is where the roadmap comes into play. Everyone involved in the project has to know what each activity is when they’ll be started, and what the deadlines are. When stringing tasks together, a critical path will emerge, and any deviations within these tasks will delay the arrival.

Working with Finances

Software projects, like any other, cost money to bring to life. Expected costs need to be defined before the start of the project, and then they need to be managed throughout. For small businesses, public sector project management involves securing funding, which is often gained through loan and grant applications. However, in such cases, effective financial management is important to avoid overspending government funding and cutting into revenue.

With a clear idea of finances in place, a software project manager knows exactly what resources are available, including facilities, equipment, people, and materials. Knowledge of finance and scheduling is essential for resource management.

Understanding Risks

There will always be risks to navigate during a project, and poor management will allow them to get in the way of progression. The best project managers work with their teams to highlight any areas of the critical path that may face change. Thinking forward about potential risks allows you to put preventative measures in place, which may well mitigate the delays entirely.

Software project management in the public sector involves defining project scope, communicating a roadmap, organising finances and resources, and tackling potential risks.