An IT Project Management Methodology Generator Based on an Agile Project Management Process Framework

Information Technology Project Management and Software Project Management in particular depends heavily on the project’s type and constraints. Quality, financial, technical, schedule, complexity and other constraints affect significantly the management process. Over the last two decades project management methodologies have been developed to support the project management effort. Many methodologies cover generic approaches emphasizing on the planning or estimation activities, others on tracking, others on quality and others on very specific management practices that could support the delivery of very specific projects. This paper introduces an adjustable (agile) project management framework for managing information technology projects of any type. The framework divides the management activities into systems engineering management and systems acquisitions management phases and operates as a methodology generator feed by the project constraints. The project management methodology that derives is a combination of management and engineering phases based on the needs and constraints of each project per case

Youth sport programs : an avenue to foster positive youth development

Concern about the growth in adolescent problem behaviours (e.g. delinquency, drug use) has led to increased interest in positive youth development, and a surge in funding for 'after school programs.' We evaluate the potential of youth sport programs to foster positive development, while decreasing the risk of problem behaviours. Literature on the positive and negative outcomes of youth sport is presented. We propose that youth sport programs actively work to assure positive outcomes through developmentally appropriate designs and supportive child-adult (parent/coach) relationships. We also highlight the importance of sport programs built on developmental assets (Benson, 1997) and appropriate setting features (National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, 2002) in bringing about the five 'C's of positive development (competence, confidence, character, connections, and compassion/caring: Lerner et al., 2000). An applied sport-programming model, which highlights the important roles of policy-makers, sport organizations, coaches and parents in fostering positive youth development is presented as a starting point for further applied and theoretical research