How to Rescue Failing Software Projects: Practical Proven Methods That Work [Paperback]

Bernard Ong (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 11, 2009

Many software projects begin well, only to end up delayed and over budget, or failing. How can a project manager, who often feels alone, isolated, and misunderstood in a project, effectively save a project from certain death? In How to Rescue Failing Software Projects: Practical Proven Methods That Work, software expert Bernard Ong pulls from nearly two decades of experience to formulate a rescue plan that works. Project directors, project managers, software architects, and developers will benefit from Bernard’s process and the real-life examples found throughout the book. This book is not theory and methodology. It is a hands-on, step-by-step guide for rescuing failing software projects. Included is Bernard’s five-step rescue formula that is used by the author to rescue real-life failing software projects. Read about the hows and whys of project rescues, as well as a concise explanation of how to execute the plan. Following this rescue formula will increase your chances of success.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bernard Ong has been in the computer industry for nearly two decades. He has held many roles, ranging from sales director to professional services practice director, project director and manager, as well as technical architect and consultant. Bernard earned the SunRise achiever award from Sun Microsystems (Singapore) and the Outstanding Project Team award and High Achiever’s Award from Hewlett-Packard (Singapore). He was given the National Computer Board Award in Singapore and the Singapore Polytechnic Gold Medal for academic excellence. Bernard was a recipient of the Rank Xerox and Foreign & Commonwealth Office Scholarship for post-graduate studies at the University of Essex (U.K.), where he earned his Master of Science in Computer Studies/Artificial Intelligence. Bernard is currently the director of Sun Microsystem’s Software Professional Services for the Asia Pacific region

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (August 11, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439239312
• ISBN-13: 978-1439239315
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,470,146 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bernard Ong has been in the computer industry for nearly two decades. He has held many roles, ranging from sales director to professional services practice director, project director and manager, as well as technical architect and consultant.

Bernard earned the SunRise achiever award from Sun Microsystems (Singapore) and the Outstanding Project Team award and High Achiever's Award from Hewlett-Packard (Singapore). He was given the National Computer Board Award in Singapore and the Singapore Polytechnic Gold Medal for academic excellence. Bernard was a recipient of the Rank Xerox and Foreign & Commonwealth Office Scholarship for post-graduate studies at the University of Essex (U.K.), where he earned his Master of Science in Computer Studies/Artificial Intelligence.

Most recently, Bernard was the director of Sun Microsystem's Software Professional Services for the Asia Pacific region.

He is very interested in reading, self effectiveness, wealth creation and Wing Chun Kung Fu.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A practical handbook for project managers and IT professionals, December 29, 2009

By 

lightsabre "JD" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Rescue Failing Software Projects: Practical Proven Methods That Work (Paperback)

1) Well Organized

Rather than taking a theoretical and academic approach, Bernard has decided to compile the essence of his vast experiences in a concise and easy to access format. I find this book to be well organized. Let's face it, anyone in the midst of a troubled project will not have the time to sieve through tons wordy texts to get an idea of what to be done next. They need bite sized information that is easily digested and this book provides that.

2) Practical

Bernard's years of experience is evident throughout the book. His recommendations are practical, well thought and proven. It is evident that his book is written by a person who has been through some really challenging projects and survived. Surely he must have done something right.

3) True to life

This book do not promise more than it can deliver. Ironically, that is the most important virtue that would save a project. Many books, as with many project managers, promise the sky but deliver only thick clouds. Bernard, on the other hand is not afraid to admit that certain projects are impossible to fix.

4) Help you help yourself

Throughout this books, Bernard sets out specific ground rules and specific work to be done. Many project managers buy books that introduce magical methodologies that would make everything good again. This is not one of those books. It paints a real picture and tells you which mundane tasks you ignore could save you in the end.


I recommend this book as an indispensable reference for anyone hoping to stand a chance at saving projects in trouble and believe me, this would include a large number of projects out there.

4.0 out of 5 stars useful and practical, September 6, 2009

By 

Yap Soon Leong - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Rescue Failing Software Projects: Practical Proven Methods That Work (Paperback)

This book provides useful information on how to manage and deal with some of the common challenges in a typical software project. The steps outlined in the book to address these challenges are very practical and can be easily adopted to recover failing software projects.

Overall, this book is short and easy to read.