[m_abdelfattah]

It may be a long topic and general one, but I couldn't find about it anywhere else, may be because I don't know what to search for.

Simply, I've been working as web developer for about 5 years now, but was working alone as a freelancer on the popular freelancing site.

Now, I want to start to have y team & my company later, and I want to know how to manage this ? what's the followed procedures / methodologies / processes for software development companies ?

what should I read on ?? what should I Search for ?

Thanks for your time.

[DAL]

Are you asking how to create a web development company?

I'm confussed by your questions

Cheers
Dal

[m_abdelfattah]

Thanks dal for ur reply .

no, I'm asking about how to manage teams in big development projects !!
is there a standard ways that companies follows, special software ?? something like SVN for example ?

Hope you got my question now !!

[DAL]

Ah so it's about coordination, working towards a common goal, that kind of thing!

Well in my limited experience of this I'd say that communication was the key player here but generally dont larger project have lots of smaller projects inside which is all capped off with an overseer or account / developement manager which communicated with the project leaders. (if this is all handled by difference companies then this probably would never work anyway but they are good at pretending from my experience)

SVN- never heard of that so I think I'm talking nonsense on this subject, I'm just a developer.

Cheers
Dal

[UnrealEd]

For storing code & scripts it's best to use a SVN or CVS server. It's very easy to setup, and has tons of benefits. I'd go for that.

@DAL: SVN and CVS are repository servers that have version control. Whenever you download files from it, you can make sure you only receive the files that you haven't changed yet, so no overwrite can take place without you knowing it.

[DAL]

Ah - I do that often! I dont have a server but is there anything like this built into any decent ftp clients you know of?

Sorry for the confussion, I only know what I know. Hope you get your questions answered although UnrealEd seems to have your back.

Thanks Unreal for clearing that one up for me

Cheers
Dal

[bizzar528]

@DAL, There isn't really anything built directly into an ftp client that I'm aware of, but the tools and software needed are pretty simple to work with. You need a svn/cvs server software (if you find a windows version, you can install it on your local system) and from there, you just need a client that supports checking out/checking in code. Most svn/cvs servers come with a client, but there are other clients.

@alex, you might also want to consider using a ticket system too. These can have the tendency to help you assign work to individuals, track what's getting done and where, and if your really serious about a company, it can help with customer support and bug tracking.

[Yeroon]

Hehehe, good that I didn't reply yet. I was assuming you needed more tips in the non-programming area. Like how to keep people motivated, or how to find the right people and how to check their progress etc...

My two cents to this more programming approach. If you have a MSDN subscription or enough money in general you could also use Visual Source Safe 2005. Or use Team Foundation if you need to have support for sourcesafe over the internet.

[DAL]

Thanks bizzar528, this actually sounds a lot more complicated with my current setup. I've never used a SVN or CVS server and I'm not sure my current host supports it (well at least on the package I'm on - shared! )

However - seems do-able in php and I get to learn how to handle things the FTP way... I needed an excuse. Hey, could even build it into my framework that I'm building

Cooool!
Cheers
Dal

[m_abdelfattah]

Ohh , Thanks all for your soo nice replies

@UnrealEd's, @bizzar528 :
I think I'll read more in this issue and start install one of both on my server.

@Yeroon :
I'm still interrested in your non-programming tips ! and about "Visual Source Safe 2005" , I'm a PHP Developer !!

@DAL :
Great to hear that your'e building your frame work, good luck