The Dynamics of Implementing Software Engineering Projects

Abstract

The study set out to establish whether project dynamics is perceived as a factor that affects the implementation of software engineering projects in Nairobi, Kenya and used the findings to model the dynamics of the implementation process. According to literature, the software industry in Kenya is relatively young and therefore necessary to look into other more established industries to identify key factors and challenges. Kenya's software projects experience a myriad of dynamism during implementation; the budgets are volatile, human resources required for project implementation come on board with many differing skills that add to the complexity of executing and implementing the projects, and there are also many internal and external variables to the implementation process that keep on changing. Since many projects suffer from the 90% syndrome in which a project is thought to be 90% complete for half of the total time required, software projects are not excluded. Tasks which are completed as part of a software project may be flawed and may need rework. For software projects, implementation is double phased and there are numerous changing variables in both phases that contribute to the dynamics of implementing software projects. The study used the Kenya ICT sector as a case study and utilized the findings to model the dynamics of implementing software projects. The model depicted that there is a lot of dynamism in implementing software projects. The dynamism revolves around the changing project variables that influence the success or failure of the said projects. The study recommends that modeling the dynamics of implementing any software project is critical to enable detection of any hindrances to successful implementation and avoid wastage of resources. The models can aid in detecting the effects of any unforeseen uncertainties within the implementation process early enough so that appropriate action can be taken to mitigate any uncertainties.