The Software Development Edge: Essays on Managing Successful Projects

by Джо Мараско and Joe Marasco

Book Overview

Captures decades of in-the trenches experience across a spectrum of software topics. This work articulates patterns of success that satisfy a broad audience. It uses mathematics, physics, common... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0321321316
• ISBN13: 9780321321312
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A Good Read on Software Project Management

I have been in the software development industry for almost 20 years in roles ranging from developer/project lead/project manager to architect. This is one of the most comprehensive books on project management that I have found. It summarizes many of the experiences that I have encountered in software development and, in addition, adds some very good insights into subjects that have historically been problem areas for me. Joe's description of software engineering thought processes are spot on, and will help anyone who needs to work closely with software engineers. His discussion of historic projects that ended in tragedy show that the problems that haunt large projects are not limited to software projects. His section (Part 3 The Project-Management View) on project management is a must read for any person who has a project management role. The classic problem of tradeoffs, estimation and scheduling are analyzed and explained in a very useful manner. For some of the more `touchy-feely' subjects, Joe introduces Roscoe Leroy, an imaginary character, who spouts a continuous stream of common sense and real world wisdom. This book is a good read for anyone in the software industry. The subject matter discussed in the book will help communication among all the different levels and roles in the software industry.

like having a trusted advisor for managing people on software projects

I must admit some bias: I had the pleasure of working with Joe and have a great deal of respect for his opinion. In this book his voice definitely comes through - practical and down to earth. As other reviewers have noted, this book is a great read for anyone managing technical projects, and there are gems of insight in every chapter. I've learned something every time I've talked to Joe, and reading this book was no different: it is like an extended conversation with someone with a wealth of practical experience. I've kept coming back to it time and again.

Definitely causes you to think about project management...

Last night I finished an interesting book on software project management... The Software Development Edge by Joe Marasco. It's a series of essays that cover the gamut of "herding cats"... Contents: Part 1 - General Management: Beginning at the Beginning; Computational Roots; Mountaineering; Managing Part 2 - Software Differences: The Most Important Thing; Modeling; Coding; Getting It Out the Door Part 3 - The Project-Management View: Trade-offs; Estimating; Scheduling; Rhythm Part 4 - Human Element: Politics; Negotiating; Signing Up; Compensation Part 5 - Thinking Laterally: History Lesson; Bad Analogies; The Refresh Problem; Not So Random Numbers Part 6 - Advanced Topics: Crisis; Growth; Culture; Putting It All Together; Acknowledgements; Index Unlike many project management books, this is not a "how to" or a methodology volume. It's a series of essays from someone who's been in the trenches for far longer than many have been coding, and he's sharing his wisdom and insights with the reader. So if you're hoping to get a new set of steps to follow, you'll be sadly disappointed. You need to go into this book with an open mind, and look for a few nuggets of truth that will reinforce a point or open you up to a new way of thinking about an aspect of your job. For me, I found the chapter on Crisis (equating troubled projects with a five day old dead fish) and the chapter on History Lessons (comparing software development to a 350 year old ship that sank) quite insightful. Truth may not always be in the place you expect it... I can't say that every chapter held my interest. In Growth, Marasco talks about how the growth of resources on a software project can be projected and managed (and how it gets out of control if you're not careful). Supplemented by a whole lot of statistics and graphs, I quickly got lost and disinterested. That's not to say that the material isn't correct or helpful, just that some of it is more readable than other parts... Definitely worth reading if you're responsible for project management in your current position. It won't be a book you refer to every day on your job, but it will cause you to think about some aspects of your career in a different light...

The Software Development Edge : Essays on Managing Successful Projects

[...] Joe's latest book is simplicity itself. That is not to say it is simplistic. Rather, it tackles a difficult and for many people an often incomprehensible and frustrating subject in a very understandable way. Moreover, it is laced with valuable tips born of Joe's many years of personal software project management experience. It also includes delightful anecdotes to emphasize the various points that Joe wishes to make. The book is laced with copious figures and tables to illustrate Joe's ideas. That always helps to get concepts across and lightens up the pages of the book by adding visual interest. Highly recommended.

Must read.

This book, I believe, is of importance to all managers, not just those involved in software development. All managers share common concerns. All need to balance the elements of the classical scope/time/resources tradeoff, almost always in a cloud of uncertainty. Marasco's approach to resolving software development management issues is just as valid and useful to resolving general management issues. In my view, what makes this book work is Marasco's ability to explain reasonably complex issues in real world terms. Terms that people who aren't afforded the luxury of leisurely scholarship can use and apply to their immediate problems. Most managers are drinking out of a fire hose. This book gives them the concise, no frills input they need. Every manager should have a dog-eared copy of this "guide" on his desk when he's in the office and in his briefcase when he's on the road!