Towards Effective People Management in Software Projects: A Comprehensive Catalog of Good Practices

Abstract

Software project success depends on effective people management; however, managers often rely on intuition rather than evidence-based practice. To bridge this gap, we compiled a catalog of good practices to assist managers in implementing people management practices, reducing resistance, and simultaneously collecting indicators that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of practices. We compiled the practices outlined in the literature from 63 selected studies conducted from 2016 to 2023. These studies were then categorized into 9 problem domains and 16 associated practices. Subsequently, through a survey, these practices were validated by 31 professionals, enabling classification based on overall relevance and problem-resolution efficacy. The results underscore the importance of interpersonal skills (soft skills) over technical abilities (hard skills) and highlight the significance of continuous feedback, open communication, and transparent management practices. This catalog is a valuable resource for managers to assess and customize practices for their specific project needs.