Software engineering management competencies

The planning, estimating and execution of programmes of systems development work to time, budget and quality targets. The identification of the resources needed for systems development and how this will be met with an effective supply capacity. The alignment of systems development activity and deliverables with agreed architectures and standards. The development of roadmaps to communicate future systems development plans. The adoption and adaptation of systems development lifecycle models based on the context of the work and selecting appropriately from predictive (plan-driven) approaches or adaptive (iterative/agile) approaches.

The management of projects, typically (but not exclusively) involving the development and implementation of business processes to meet identified business needs, acquiring and utilising the necessary resources and skills, within agreed parameters of cost, timescales, and quality. The adoption and adaptation of project management methodologies based on the context of the project and selecting appropriately from predictive (plan-driven) approaches or adaptive (iterative/agile) approaches.

Quality management establishes within an organisation a culture of quality and a system of processes and working practices to deliver the organisation's quality objectives. This involves the application of techniques for the monitoring and improvement of the quality of any aspect of a function, processes, products, services or data. The achievement of, and maintenance of compliance to, national and international standards, as appropriate, and to internal policies, including those relating to quality, service, sustainability and security.

The independent assessment of the conformity of any activity, process, deliverable, product or service to the criteria of specified standards, best practice, or other documented requirements. May relate to, for example, asset management, network security tools, firewalls and internet security, sustainability, real-time systems, application design and specific certifications.

The assessment of safety-related software systems to determine compliance with standards and required levels of safety integrity. This involves making professional judgements on software engineering approaches, including the suitability of design, testing, and validation and verification methods, as well as the identification and evaluation of risks and the means by which they can be reduced. The establishment, maintenance and management of an assessment framework and practices.

The provision of leadership, advice and implementation support to assess organisational capabilities and to identify, prioritise and implement improvements. The selection, adoption and integration of appropriate industry frameworks and models to guide improvements. The systematic use of capability maturity assessments, metrics, process definition, process management, repeatability and the introduction of appropriate techniques, tools and enhanced skills. The delivery of an integrated people, process and technology solution to deliver improved organisational performance in line with organisation's strategic plans and objectives. The scope of improvement is organisational but may also be highly focussed as necessary for example software development, systems development, project delivery or service improvement.