Managing Iterative Software Development Projects [Paperback]

Kurt Bittner (Author), Ian Spence (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 2006 | ISBN-10: 032126889X | ISBN-13: 978-0321268891 | Edition: 1

Iterative development is founded on the recognition that we cannot plan perfectly, that we need an approach that enables us to adapt to and make progress in the face of change. It is basically dynamic planning that incorporates, and even seeks out, new information. While iterative development is not a new concept, it is not particularly well documented. The basic principles of iterative development are the basis of approaches such as Extreme Programming, the Unified Process, and the Rational Unified Process (RUP) and have been introduced in a number of books, but an applicable guide, with specifics on how to actually run an iterative project has not existed. This book is that guide. Using the framework of the Unified Process (UP), Bittner and Spence present a simple, straightforward and practical approach to organizing, estimating, staffing, and managing an iterative project. They provide practices that can be applied to very small projects and yet can be scaled-up to very large programs. While this book is particularly valuable for projects following UP and RUP, the overall management framework presented is free to use a variety of approaches, including Extreme Programming, the Microsoft Solutions Framework or any other iterative and incremental development approach.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Practical, Start-to-Finish Guide to Planning and Leading Iterative Software Projects

 

Iterative processes have gained widespread acceptance because they help software developers reduce risk and cost, manage change, improve productivity, and deliver more effective, timely solutions. But conventional project management techniques don’t work well in iterative projects, and newer iterative management techniques have been poorly documented. Managing Iterative Software Development Projects is the solution: a relentlessly practical guide to planning, organizing, estimating, staffing, and managing any iterative project, from start to finish. 

 

Leading iterative development experts Kurt Bittner and Ian Spence introduce a proven, scalable approach that improves both agility and control at the same time, satisfying the needs of developers, managers, and the business alike. Their techniques are easy to understand, and easy to use with any iterative methodology, from Rational Unified Process to Extreme Programming to the Microsoft Solutions Framework.

 

Whatever your role–team leader, program manager, project manager, developer, sponsor, or user representative–this book will help you

 

• Understand the key drivers of success in iterative projects
• Leverage “time boxing” to define project lifecycles and measure results
• Use Unified Process phases to facilitate controlled iterative development
• Master core concepts of iterative project management, including layering and evolution
• Create project roadmaps, including release plans
• Discover key patterns of risk management, estimation, organization, and iteration planning
• Understand what must be controlled centrally, and what you can safely delegate
• Transition smoothly to iterative processes
• Scale iterative project management from the smallest to the largest projects
• Align software investments with the needs of the business

 

Whether you are interested in software development using RUP, OpenUP, or other agile processes, this book will help you reduce the anxiety and cost associated with software improvement by providing an easy, non-intrusive path toward improved results–without overwhelming you and your team.

 

About the Author

Kurt Bittner works for IBM on software development solutions strategy. In a career spanning 24 years, he has successfully applied an iterative approach to software development in a number of industries and problem domains. He was a member of the original team that developed the IBM Rational Unified Process and is a co-author with Ian Spence of Use Case Modeling, published by Addison-Wesley in 2002.

 

Ian Spence is a chief scientist and principle consultant at Ivar Jacobson Consulting, specializing in the adoption of the Unified Process and the iter­ative, use-case driven approach that it recommends. He has more than 20 years of experience in the software industry, including more than 10 years of experience in managing and participating in iterative projects. He is cur­rently involved in the development of the next generation of lightweight software development processes and is a co-author with Kurt Bittner of Use Case Modeling, published by Addison-Wesley in 2002.

 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 672 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional; 1 edition (July 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 032126889X
• ISBN-13: 978-0321268891
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #443,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely great, October 19, 2006

By 

Guy Coen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Managing Iterative Software Development Projects (Paperback)

This book is the ultimate reference, the PMBOK on managing software development projects. Whereas other books are limited to one particular viewpoint or cookbook method, the authors in this book tap from many years of experience with different approaches. The only point of critique is that the book could probably also have been written on half as many pages. But this drawback is entirely compensated by the thoughts and best practices presented and the way they are presented, the experiences shared, the examples given and the method proposed here.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More specific to the RUP/UP than advertised., July 25, 2007

By 

Joe "Joe" (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Managing Iterative Software Development Projects (Paperback)

The book appears to be a well written text about doing RUP iteratively. Unfortunately, I am not doing RUP or UP. The editorial review on Amazon quoted from the back cover that it would be appropriate for agile methodologies and not just RUP. While that may be the case for some chapters, for a significant portion of the book, I do not believe it is so. We are implementing Scrum and this book is not the best source to help me with that. It is too heavy and UP specific. I will be returning the book. Don't be turned off from the book if you are doing RUP since it may be for you.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful and Exciting., May 30, 2008

By 

A. Gajaria (CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Managing Iterative Software Development Projects (Paperback)

I am moving from iterative development to iterative project management. This book is really wonderful and explains in detail the processes, the risks, deliverables. It will help anybody who wants to think "iterative" development.

BTW, it will also help you talk to dinosaurs and explain your approach to project management. A big help.