Deadlines, errors, stubborn syntax, scope creep, the list goes on. A project managerâs role is a tough one. No matter how knowledgeable youâre as a technical leader, managing a team and getting the project done takes a different level of mindset and efficiency.
From planning a sound strategy to ensuring timely completion, there are multiple risks, both controllable and uncontrollable, that ought to be considered and mitigated. You need to put your managerial hat on along with your developer hat to assess the situation and make the right decisions.
It isnât all that easy, but it isnât all that bad either. With a few practical tips, you can successfully strategise any coding project like a pro unassailed by occurrences like technical troubles, coding errors, bottlenecks, etc., that create unnecessary delays.
How to Plan and Manage Any Coding Project Strategically
Listed below are a few tips which would help avoid unnecessary delays and errors during the project development cycle.
1. Gather the Right Team MembersÂ
When you assemble your team, ensure that the members you pick have the specific knowledge required for the project and would be able to add value to the project development cycle. If a few of the team members are not best suited for the project, ensure to have them trained for their roles to enable them to contribute better.
2. Clearly Define the ScopeÂ
A defined project scope, including its constraints, deadlines, and milestones, would help the team understand the nature and extent of work required for its completion. A scope statement would give them a fair idea of the intricacies involved in the project and the probability of various types of risks that might arise.
3. Use the Right Equipment
There are multiple platforms and software available to aid project management. Analyse your project requirements and team feasibility to select the one that fits best. A Project Management Software will not only help to organise the entire project development cycle but will also facilitate ease in communication of work processes within the team. Additionally, the team will get a fair idea of the timeline to test the codes beforehand, saving the delay due to failure and resolution.
4. Risk Analysis and Management
As a technical leader, analysing and mitigating risks also fall under the purview of managing the project. You need to identify risk factors early on so that you can take the necessary steps to avoid the risks and establish preventive mechanisms.
5. Test and Evaluate
To heave a sigh of relief when the program successfully passes the final test, you have to keep on evaluating it at regular intervals. Mark the critical points on the project cycle and test the code frequently to ensure a bug-free, smooth, and secure program.
6. Plan the Project Architecture
Firstly, make a complete list of project requirements and categorise them into essential and non-essential entities. Then, implement all the essential features, which would become a skeleton for you to improvise on.
Analyse and plan your project to include elements that are essential for the entities to function separately and coexist. Sketch a blueprint classifying different elements and their functionalities in your projectâs structure. The Thumb rule is to always think from the POV of the client and their needs.
7. Practical BudgetingÂ
A crucial step in any project forecasting is defining the budget. A well-defined budget would include provisions for the present and future, considering any contingencies. While planning the budget, it is important to consider the following costs:
- Cost of managing the team
- Administrative costs
- Marketing and promotional cost
- Software development costs
Regular tracking and monitoring of these expenses are required to foresee any developments in the budget and plan accordingly.
8. Communicate Regularly and EffectivelyÂ
Setting up proper communication channels helps avoid misunderstandings/errors that hinder the timely completion of the project. Effective communication implies that every team member is well-versed with their role in the project, its scope, timeline, and requirements such that any issue that arises would be taken care of before it blows out of proportion.
Regular communication with the stakeholders highlighting the progress of the project and budget constraints would help avoid scope creep and unnecessary delays.
Note that holding frequent meetings for project review and monitoring is beneficial only when it’s quick, productive, and not upsetting the workflow.
9. Delegate Work StrategicallyÂ
Draw up a task sheet to gather requirements and allocate specific tasks to team members based on their experience and skillsets. While some might excel at developing a code, a few others might prove worthy during implementation. Therefore, itâs essential to assess their strengths and delegate work that challenges their potential.
Project management, albeit a crucial and elaborate task, becomes better when backed by a team of experienced and competent developers and tech talent who can make air-tight software programmes that lend credibility to your company.
Though technology is ubiquitous, finding the right talent for your project could be a cumbersome task. Your existing team might need the expertise of someone from the outside with a different perception of technology. Or you might even need to put together a new team specific to the project if it requires specialised knowledge and expertise.
Whatever your requirements are, finding the right kind of developers has never been easier.
Yes, with CodeQuotient, finding the developers with the necessary skill sets is a breeze.
Build Quality Tech Talent With CodeQuotientÂ
âWhatâs so special with CodeQuotient?â you might wonder.
Let’s explain why. CodeQuotient picks the creme de la creme from the pool of applicants and trains them for six months before recommending them to companies that seek talent. And how it picks the right talent is worth mentioning:
- After rigorous training and upskilling, the learners work on at least two ready-for roll-out applications using the latest technology and live projects.
- The skilled learners then work on software development independently or as a team, and their work is made available for verification directly on the platform.
- The super-coders or the best performers are then recommended to the companies for roles relevant to their expertise. Quite thorough, isn’t it?
If youâre looking for skilled super-coders, CodeQuotient has just the thing for you. Get in touch with us at info@codequotient.com to find the best fit for your requirements.
