Communications software engineering: methods and project management tools

In many countries it is a new reality that telecommunications companies have monopolies. Simultaneously, an extensive expansion to global markets began dramatically increasing competition. Telecom providers have to respond by innovating, changing the price structure and increasing service quality or lose customers to the new competitors. One of the areas that many telecoms have to address as having a potential for improving is their software development practices, namely software engineering methods and project management tools. This paper describes current situation in the telecom software development, lists potential standards which can be applied as well as ways to work better. Reasons affecting application of better work methods are outlined