Software and/or techniques to keep track of software development.

[JayF]

Hi all,

I am not trained in software development or project management, but I find myself becoming a developer after being commissioned to build an Access database (read: talked into), despite only limited knowledge of relational databases.

Phase Two of my project is nearing completion (customers were very happy with Phase One) and is almost ready for sale. It is a complicated system with several different sub-projects which I foresee branching off into multiple products in their own right.

I am beginning to see the potential problems with managing the organisation of the various versions across multiple customer sites, rolling out updates and customisations. I am looking for some kind of software aid to help with this kind of organisation, otherwise I'll resort to inventing a system with Excel spreadsheets and naming conventions.

Any tips, tricks, advice or reading material suggestions would also be very welcome and much appreciated.

Jay

[Dave0291]

Well if your looking to keep track of tasks, you may want to develop a GANTT Chart. This will show you the timeline of your development project with the tasks involved and task dependencies. This will help you divide the work up between people since it will tell you what tasks can be completed at the same time and which tasks require the completion of others. You can easily develop a GANTT Chart with MS Project. Or you can draw one on a whiteboard for everyone to see. The time frame of which the cart operates will be based on estimations that you and your customer can discuss. What I like about it is that you get to see your critical path (longest path to project completion). But be careful in making your resource/time estimations.

Here is a link for more info

[JayF]

Interesting stuff. I've never heard of a Gantt chart before, but it seems to be exactly the kind of concept I was looking for. Thanks very much.

I'm not really in a position to splash out for MS Project, but a link from the Wikipedia article brought up a list of Open Source solutions (presumably with other goodies thrown in) that I will definitely look into.

I wish I had a team of people to delegate work to, but no, I'm single handedly teaching myself Access and VBA while putting together a bespoke database more fully featured than Northwind. I have definitely jumped into the deep end with a mouthful of more than I can chew.

It's all good fun and I'm getting there slowly.

Thanks again.

[NeoPa]

Good answer in Post #2 - A candidate for Best Answer methinks ;-)