Agile Software Development Ecosystems [Paperback]

Jim Highsmith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 5, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0201760436 | ISBN-13: 978-0201760439 | Edition: 1

Traditional software development methods struggle to keep pace with the accelerated pace and rapid change of Internet-era development. Several "agile methodologies" have been developed in response -- and these approaches to software development are showing exceptional promise. In this book, Jim Highsmith covers them all -- showing what they have in common, where they differ, and how to choose and customize the best agile approach for your needs. Highsmith begins by introducing the values and principles shared by virtually all agile software development methods. He presents detailed case studies from organizations that have used them, as well as interviews with each method's principal authors or leading practitioners. Next, he takes a closer look at the key features and techniques associated with each major Agile approach: Extreme Programming (XP), Crystal Methods, Scrum, Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM), Lean Development, Adaptive Software Development (ASD), and Feature-Driven Development (FDD). In Part III, Highsmith offers practical advice on customizing the optimal agile discipline for your own organization. For all software developers, project managers, and other IT professionals seeking more flexible, effective approaches to developing software.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In a highly volatile software development environment, developers must be nimble, responsive, and able to hit a moving target--in short, they must be agile. Agile software development is designed to address this need for speed and flexibility. Agility describes a holistic, collaborative environment in which you can both create and respond to change by focusing on adaptability over predictability, people over process. Agile software development incorporates proven software engineering techniques, but without the overhead and restrictions of traditional development methodologies. Above all, it fulfills its promise of delivering software that serves the client's business needs.

Written by one of the leaders of the Agile movement, and including interviews with Agile gurus Kent Beck, Robert Charette, Alistair Cockburn, Martin Fowler, Ken Schwaber, and Ward Cunningham, Agile Software Development Ecosystems crystallizes the current understanding of this flexible and highly successful approach to software development. It presents the key practices of all Agile development approaches, offers overviews of specific techniques, and shows how you can choose the approach that best suits your organization.

This book describes--in depth--the most important principles of Agile development: delivering value to the customer, focusing on individual developers and their skills, collaboration, an emphasis on producing working software, the critical contribution of technical excellence, and a willingness to change course when demands shift. All major Agile methods are presented:

• Scrum
• Dynamic Systems Development Method
• Crystal Methods
• Feature-Driven Development
• Lean Development
• Extreme Programming
• Adaptive Software Development

Throughout the book, case stories are used to illustrate how Agile practices empower success around the world in today's chaotic software development industry. Agile Software Development Ecosystems also examines how to determine your organization's Agile readiness, how to design a custom Agile methodology, and how to transform your company into a truly Agile organization.

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About the Author

Jim Highsmith is a well-known consultant, software developer, writer, and speaker. He is a founding member of the AgileAlliance, serving on its first board, and is coauthor of the Agile Manifesto. Jim is director of the Agile Project Management Advisory Service for the Cutter Consortium. He is also the author of Adaptive Software Development (Dorset House), winner of the 2000 Jolt Award.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional; 1 edition (April 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201760436
• ISBN-13: 978-0201760439
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #520,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars good overview, good description of what agile means June 19, 2002

By C. K. Ray

Format:Paperback

I found Jim Highsmith's Agile Software Development Ecosystems to be an easier read than his first book Adaptive Software Development.

This one is an overview of the Agile methods and people behind them -- Scrum, Dynamic Systems Development Method, Crystal Clear, Feature Driven Development, Lean Development, Extreme Programming, Adaptive Software Development, Kent Beck, Alistair Cockburn, Ken Schwaber, Martin Fowler, Ward Cunningham, himself, Bob Charette -- and descriptions of some projects each method was used on.

None of the method descriptions are in-depth enough to actually do them, but they provide enough information to point you into a direction for further investigation. There is some discussion about Agile principles and values, and Agile methods versus non-Agile methods and Company Culture and Market Style, and some discussion on "how to make your own agile methodology" (or how to adapt one to your company's requirements).

I recommend it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, but read this second :) January 7, 2004

By xFlibble

Format:Paperback

I found the book a good read, but feel that for trying to "show people the light", it gives sceptics a bit too much ammunition. Craig Larman's "Agile and Iterative Development: A Manager's Guide" is better written, of more immediate practical value and more likely to win over the sceptics. Try Larman's book first, then this one for further perspectives...

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book with GREAT insight into the Agile methodologists September 25, 2002

By Kyle G. Brown

Format:Paperback

This book is a good overview of the Agile movement, it's goals and aims, and provides a passable description of several of the methods that have now been labeled as "Agile" as opposed to the lumbering, dinosaur-like methods we have previously used (like the Rational Unified Process and its ancestors).

But that's not why you should buy this book. The best thing about the book are the personal interviews with several of the members of the Agile alliance like Kent Beck, Martin Fowler and Alistair Cockburn. The interviews give you special insight into their personalities that reading their own work won't give you, and helps you place their work in context.

The book is light and very readable (rare for a book on software methodology) and you given its structure you can even put it down for a few days and then come back without losing the thread of what is being discussed. Overall, it's a good "endcap" addition to any software developer's bookshelf right after the books on XP, Crystal and SCRUM.