| Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ's) -
CSPM
|
| |
| Q1.
Since there already is a Certified Project Manager
Program, why is a program for Certified Software
Project Manager needed? |
A. There are
similarities and difference between a General Project
Manager and a Software Project Manager. The two
major differences associated with software are:
| 1. |
The
specificity of software requirements is usually
less than most project requirements; and |
| 2. |
The ability
to produce effective and efficient software
is heavily dependent on the process maturity
of the organization building the software.
|
|
Q2.
What are the similarities between a General Project
Manager and a Software Project Manager?
|
A. Most
of the skills needed by a General Project Manager
are also associated with Software Project Manager.
These include staffing the project, setting a
budget, working with customers, developing a project
plan, and monitoring the project and creating
status reports. |
| Q3.
How does the level of software process maturity
affect Project Management? |
A. At the
beginning levels of process maturity, there is
huge process variability. Since most IT organizations
are in the earliest stages, Software Project Managers
must deal with this high level of variability.
In other words, the Software Project Manager must
use software development processes, which do not
work effectively or efficiently. |
Q4.
What is the difference between software requirements
and regular project requirements? |
| A. Software
requirements rarely specify security requirements,
maintainability requirements, ease of use requirements,
interoperability requirements, contingency measures
and/or and training for new team members. |
| Q5.
Why would IT management want a special certification
for Software Project Managers? |
| A. IT has a
history in building software projects way beyond
budget, and schedule resulting in dissatisfied customers/users.
IT management and IT customers would welcome any
program that could help improve projects on time
and within budget with high customer satisfaction.
|
| Q6.
What is unique about software project management
as opposed to general project management? |
| A. There are
many, but some of the more significant differences
are: |
- Interfacing
an application software into an operational
environment with many different software packages;
- Interfacing
one application with many, many different applications,
the problem in one could result in a cascading
of errors through others;
- Software
generally can be penetrated from anywhere in
the world, which is not normally a problem for
most projects;
- Technology
changes rapidly necessitating the constant learning
and upgrading of software to meet new technological
requirements;
- Estimating
project costs and schedule is difficult when
the developmental processes have high variability;
- The methods
and types of failure associated with software
is significantly different than with other types
of projects; and
- Software
systems must take into account all of the types
of errors that could occur, which is an almost
impossible task.
|
| Q7.
Would the CSQA and CSTE be valuable if I am a Software
Project Manager? |
| A. Yes, they
are building blocks that contribute toward good
project management since they address fundamental
issues of process management, sound quality assurance
and testing practices, and other significant skills
needed for Project Managers. |
| Q8.
Do I need to include all the listed samples for
each domain? |
| A. No. The
examples are a guideline to help a candidate understand
what samples are expected. You do not have to submit
all the examples. |
| Q9.
Do the samples I submit have to be from a completed
project? |
A. No. You
may submit samples from a current project as long
as you have samples from 9 of the 11 domains.
|
| Q10.
Are there any mandatory domain submissions? |
A. Yes.
You MUST have a submission for domain 1. |
| Q11.
If my packet is not accepted, can I receive a refund?
|
| A. There is
a $200 refund. You have 60 days to resubmit missing/incomplete
items. You only have one chance to resubmit. If
rejected a second time, you will have to reapply.
You will only receive a $200 refund. (Fees are non-transferable) |
Q12.
I do not have the necessary samples or my company
won’t allow me to submit the required documents,
can I still apply? |
A. Starting
September 2005, there will be the choice of taking
an exam for CSPM. |
