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projects. When a software project is in trouble, a disproportionate amount of the trouble is
usually caused by a small number of problems. The tools and techniques in this book are
meant to address those specific problems. An organization that implements all of these
tools and techniques will see an enormous gain in both productivity and user satisfaction
for minimal cost. A project manager who targets the specific problems that he has found in
his organization can address only his most pressing problems and still see a very noticeable
gain—and at a much lower cost than trying to tackle every possible project problem!

Because the tools and techniques can be applied independently, one useful way to use this
book is to take a “toolbox” approach to building better software. Consider the tools, tech-
niques, practices, software packages, and other ideas in this book as individual tools in a
toolbox. You can select the right tool depending on the specific problems and challenges
that you face in your projects.

While these tools have been developed to be used by project teams, most of them can be
implemented by a single person, either working alone or in a team environment. Using
this book, even a single team member working alone can have a significant effect on both
the quality of the software being produced and the effectiveness of the organization to
which he belongs.

Each chapter in Part I of this book is based on a specific phase or area of a software project.
It contains specific tools and techniques a project manager can use to help address prob-
lems, as well as information that most project managers should know about what goes on
during that phase of the project. Part I covers the following tools and techniques, divided
into different areas of project management:

Chapter 2, Software Project Planning
Vision and Scope Document
Software Project Plan
Chapter 3, Estimation
Wideband Delphi Estimation Process

Chapter 4, Project Schedules
Project Schedules

Earned Value Metrics
Project Scheduling Software (such as Microsoft Project and Open Workbench)

Chapter 5, Reviews
Inspections
Deskchecks
Walkthroughs

Code Reviews
Pair Programming

8 CHAPTER ONE