Managing Agile Projects [Paperback]

Kevin J. Aguanno (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2005

Are you being asked to manage a project with unclear requirements? High levels of change? A team using Extreme Programming or other Agile Methods? If you are a project manager or team leader who is interested in learning the secrets of successfully controlling and delivering agile projects, then this book was written for you. From learning how agile projects are different from traditional projects, to detailed guidance on a number of agile management techniques and how to introduce them onto your own projects, this book contains the insider secrets from some of the industry experts - the visionaries who developed the agile methodologies in the first place. Chapters focus on topics critical to the success of projects facing changing requirements and seemingly impossible deadlines. Chapters cover topics such as engineering unstable requirements, active stakeholder participation, conducting agile meetings, extreme testing, agile documentation, and how to use agile methods under fixed price contracts. The book also provides information to help you plan your agile projects better to avoid some common pitfalls introduced by the fast pace and concurrent activities common to agile development methods. This book will show you the tricks to keeping agile projects under control.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Practical examples to which we ALL can relate...a reference for ANYONE within the Project Management Discipline. -- Lisa Jacobsen, Project Management Institute (PMI)

Recommendations for managing projects that use agile methods and practical advice on how to introduce agile to an organization. -- Glen B. Alleman

This practical guide will help executives, managers, and developers understand the true characteristics of agile development and agile project management. -- Mike Beedle, CEO, New Governance Inc.

About the Author

Edited by Kevin Aguanno who is a driven, results-oriented solution designer and project manager with over seventeen years of experience working with a wide range of industries. He specializes in managing complex application development and systems integration projects. He has been brought in as a trouble shooter to turn around many troubled projects, and is known in the industry for this expertise. He has spoken at conferences and has published articles on managing agile projects.

He is a member of both PMI and the Association for Project Management in the U.K., holding the PMP and MAPM designations respectively. Winner of several international awards, Mr. Aguanno is a proven manager and public speaker active in research and writing on the topic of project management. He has written several books (including 101 Ways to Reward your Team Members for $20 (or Less!), Stealth Methodology Adoption, and An Introduction to Agile), and his articles appear regularly in various professional journals.

Product Details

• Paperback: 420 pages
• Publisher: Multi-Media Publications Inc. (January 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1895186110
• ISBN-13: 978-1895186116
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #859,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > Computers & Technology > Project Management > Agile

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic! This book has changed the way I do my work!, February 19, 2005

By 

Freddy Friedman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Managing Agile Projects (Paperback)

I first bought this with some concern that it was another book just espousing the need to adopt agile project management/agile software development methods; however, I was delighted to see that the book included so much more. The first couple of chapters do explain the history of the evolution of the agile method, but do so in a way that focuses on the benefits to the business stakeholders for allowing technical teams to adopt these methods, such as the several different ways that agile methods reduce risk. The next section of the book talks about how managing agile projects is different from traditional projects, and gives specific examples of the differences and how to change your project management behavior to match the new environment. The third section of the book was amazing -- it detailed a number of agile management techniques that I could adopt today into my project, without the need for necessarily adopting a whole new methodology. The last section of the book talks about some of the "gotchas" that we have to watch out for when using these agile methods. One special nugget was the last chapter which gives instructions on how to adopt these techniques and practices into an organization or onto an existing project without attracting the notice of the "process police" in an organization. I like this concept of changing the way I work while flying under the radar. I HIGHLY recommend this book to project managers, business managers, and senior technical leads of teams who are using (or would like to use) agile software development methods.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to Agile, January 14, 2007

By 

Carlo Barrettara (Toronto, ON, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Managing Agile Projects (Paperback)

Aguanno's book is an excellent overview of agile project management methodologies and practices. Aguanno assembles leading authorities in the field to contribute their experiences and knowledge directly from real experiences. The numerous management techniques discussed will help you use agile methods to increase the value and effectiveness of all your projects. Anyone wishing to learn more about agile, or project management in general, will benefit from this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, March 25, 2007

By 

Bas De Baar (Zandvoort, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Managing Agile Projects (Paperback)

This is the book I use the most when I need agile techniques for my projects. It contains all the info you need from a managers perspective; when you need a technique, and how to apply. I am very happy with all the fundamental explanations on why certain techniques can help you out with a project problem. Stakeholder participation, requirements, testing, development strategies, it is all in there. And best of all, without hype.

My favorite chapter is "Stealth Methodology Adoption" which explains how to sell to higher level management that you are going agile.

With contributions from Scott Ambler, Alistair Cockburn, Larry Constantine and Ronald Jeffries you know that the advice presented is from real experts.