Other functions similar to software have made significant improvements. In just the last ten years, the duration of the typical automotive design project has been cut by nearly two thirds, and the quality of the product is better than ever. The relationship between project management and software methodology is similar to that of marketing and sales. As with marketing and sales, skill in both disciplines is necessary for success. Admittedly, there is some overlap between the two.
Many methodologies provide some guidance on estimating and scheduling.
Despite the overlaps, it is important to understand the differences between the two because poor practices in either area can result in a failed project. For example, I recently attended a presentation by a senior manager of a leading software engineering consulting firm. He noted that many companies were losing substantial chunks of market share to more nimble competitors because of their inability to develop mission-critical systems in a timely fashion. The problem, he said, was that software developers needed a whole new approach to project management. This is the antithesis of modern project management.