How to Write Software Project Terms of Reference

I N T R O D U C T I O N

How to Write Software Project Terms of Reference defines the form and content of Terms of Reference documents. These are used to clearly define the objectives and deliverables of a given task or function, along with the parameters and constraints within which these objectives are to be achieved.

They ensure that the customer of the task or function, the organisation carrying out the work, and the individual responsible for that work clearly understand the objectives, deliverables, parameters and constraints of the task or function.

A terms of reference can apply to a wide-ranging, multi-resourced study to be carried out, right down to describing in-dividual areas of responsibility. For example, terms of reference may be produced for a steering committee, a project, a project manager, or a task of work. In some instances, terms of reference may even be used in lieu of a project plan and quality plan.

S C O P E

How to Write Software Project Terms of Reference defines the format and content of all Terms of Reference documents.

O B J E C T I V E S

The objectives of How to Write Software Project Terms of Reference are to ensure:

V I E W - S A M P L E S

Click here to see the contents list.
Click here to see a sample of the plan.
Note formatting may be affected in conversion from Word to HTML.

D O W N L O A D - F R E E - U S E F U L - S A M P L E S

Two brief (~10 pages each) how to guides can be downloaded for free. They are zip files containing rtf & pdf copies of the documents.

They are useful and relevant to any software development project and are intended to give prospective buyers of the full featured range of TCS how to guides an indication of their quality and usefulness.

Click here to download How to Perform Risk Management (.docx format).
Click here to download How to Perform Project Estimates (.docx format).

A B O U T T H E A U T H O R

How to Write Software Project Terms of Reference was written by David Tuffley, who combines a successful commercial career as a quality management consultant with academic involvement at the School of ICT, at Griffith University, Australia, where he lectures and is engaged in postgraduate research in IS Quality.

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O R D E R Y O U R C O P Y N O W

This guide, proven over the past five years at large commercial and public sector sites, could save you thousands of dollars in consultancy fees. Or put it another way, you could not buy even an hour of a good consultant's time for the price of this valuable How To guide. Yet consultants routinely spend weeks or months implementing procedures similar to those contained in this guide.

Ordering your copy of this excellent How To guide for only US$4.95 is easy. Buy It

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Delivery Information. You will receive a download link by email soon after you place the order. The download contains the deliverables in MS Word (.docx) and PDF. The documents are your master copy.

How to Use the Documents. Save the master as a working document. Read the reference text that details what needs to be written, and to what level of detail. Then write what needs to be written, and delete the reference text, leaving the completed document. The structure is embodied in the template. Documents can be converted to HTML for intranet/internet delivery if desired, using your wordprocessor's inherent HTML conversion capabilities, or by using proprietary conversion software that builds contents hierarchies that greatly facilitates navigation. Contact TCS for more information.

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