This work is designed for software engineering undergraduates and software project managers. It leads the reader through the various stages of the process of software development in a practical and readable manner, reflecting current industry standards. Offering an imaginative approach to the subject, the book provides throrough analysis of a range of topics, avoiding the lists of tasks included in similar texts. It incorporates many of the Open University's most provden teaching techniques - with aims and objectives stated at the start of each chapter and numerous self-assessment questions provided throughout. A discussion of quality standards has been included. Interviews with some of the leading figures in areas such as software metrics and techniques highlight the theory discussed in the text.