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2 - PROJECT LIFE CYCLE AND ORGANIZATION

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PROJECT LIFE CYCLE AND ORGANIZATION

This section of the Software Extension to the PMBOK Guide – Fifth Edition describes software project life
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cycles; how software projects interact with ongoing operational work and other elements of an organization; the
influence of stakeholders beyond the software development team; and how organizational structure affects the
way a project is initiated, planned, executed, monitored and controlled, and closed. Emphasis is placed on tools
and techniques that have been developed to accommodate the special and unique aspects of software projects and
management of software projects.

2.1 Organizational Influences on Project Management

Organizational culture, structure, and leadership style have a strong influence on how software projects are
managed and conducted because software engineers are knowledge workers who develop and modify software
by engaging in closely coordinated teamwork.

2.1.1 Organizational Cultures and Styles

There is a wide range of organizational cultures, structures, and leadership styles within organizations that
develop and modify software. Culture, structure, and leadership style for software projects are shaped and
influenced by factors such as the organization’s mission, vision, and values; organizational norms of behavior;
the product domain; interactions with other functional units of the organization and the larger enterprise; and
relationships with customers and other project stakeholders.

In addition, because of the unique nature of software projects (intangible product and closely coordinated
teamwork), the organizational factors that influence the morale and motivation of software workers are somewhat
different than for others who work in organizations.

Organizational factors that tend to increase motivation, engagement, and productivity of software personnel
include factors such as:

• Workplace free of external disruptions,
• Challenging technical problems,
• Autonomy to solve problems,

• Ability to control one’s work schedule,

©2013 Project Management Institute. Software Extension to the PMBOK Guide Fifth Edition 19
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