The guidelines define the work to be done, a methodology for accomplishing it, the project deliverables, and the documents to be produced. The text of the manual is organized by the four phases of the software development process: planning, design, coding and testing, and operation and maintenance. Within each phase there is a narrative overview of the development process, followed by detailed formats for the documentation that must be produced in each phase. These overviews are designed to instruct managers in the development process and provide practical advice on critical elements necessary to ensure the project's success. The guidelines emphasize three elements that must be present in software development if the project is to be successful. First, the project must be disciplined, evolving through systematic phases that follow technical guidelines and methods; secondly, the process must be visible to both management and technical personnel at all times to ensure that all phases of the process are executed according to plan; thirdly, the process must provide quality control. Sample layouts and documents, 39 recommended readings.