Successfully managing software projects requires a deep understanding of the projects ultimate aims. In many cases projects fail because of fundamental confusions between software and project management itself.

You can define a successful strategy by better understanding these risks. While it is impossible to prescribe rules for success there are steps that all project managers can take to avoid failure.

This report analyses the reasons for cost and time over-runs in some high-profile software development projects in the UK. The differences between software management and other forms of project management are then outlined in order to show the inherent pitfalls and risks.