Software is a critical component of systems ranging from simple consumer appliances to complex health, nuclear, and flight control systems. The development of quality, reliable, and effective software solutions requires the incorporation of effective software engineering processes and leadership. Processes, approaches, and methodologies for software engineering continue to emerge, yet software programs continue to experience high failure rates. This qualitative grounded theory study explored the software engineering and leadership practices applied to software development programs to identify successful and unsuccessful software development and leadership approaches. The problem investigated the leadership approaches for the management of software development programs continuing to result in increased cost, missed deadlines, reduced reliability, reduced quality, and failed programs. Data was collected from 71 participants actively involved in software development programs. The study resulted in development of a software engineering leadership theory focusing on the areas of environment, resources, and processes. The leadership environment must incorporate approaches for effective communication, fostering teamwork, empowerment, intelligence, and leadership by example. Resources for software engineering implement approaches for requirements management, process application, program planning, and system testing. Effective software development processes include incremental development, agile methodologies, CMM/CMMI philosophy, and waterfall development. The integration of environment, resources, and processes provides a theory for effective software development leadership resulting in improved product development and increased product quality. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]