1.3.2 Towards a Common Management Process for Projects, Systems Engineering and Software Development?

Abstract

AbstractIn harmonising Systems Engineering, Project Management and Software Development Processes, the aim is to provide each project with a single source of best‐practice process definition for the activities it needs to carry out. In this paper, several methods of harmonisation are considered: producing a combined Project Management and Systems Engineering Process, closely integrating the processes, and having loosely coupled engineering and management processes. Drivers for each option are discussed and their advantages and draw‐backs explored.The major issues that emerge are ‘Should Engineering Management be part of the Systems Engineering Process or part of the Project Management Process?’ and ‘Can Engineering Management be considered in a separate process to the Engineering itself?’ In considering these issues, methods and tool issues to support process harmonisation are discussed. The optimum solution to these issues probably depends on the structure of the project and the organisations involved, but it is argued that for Integrated Project Teams, a common management process offers many advantages.