Managing Software Development Projects: Formula for Success, New Edition [Paperback]

Neal Whitten (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 24, 1995 | ISBN-10: 047107683X | ISBN-13: 978-0471076834 | Edition: 2

Practical, comprehensive--a complete, no-nonsense guide to better project management...

This no-nonsense troubleshooting guide was written for frontline managers who want results, not rhetoric. Short on theory and long on practical, hands-on advice and guidance, it arms you with proven, easy-to-implement solutions to big ticket problems that plague today's software development projects, including those relating to personnel, quality, project scheduling and tracking, product requirements, product quality and usability, and much more. Written in a straightforward, conversational style and packed with realistic scenarios, Managing Software Development Projects, Second Edition shows you how to:
* Identify, resolve, and avoid most common development problems
* Improve the quality of your products and your customers' satisfaction with them
* Shorten development cycles
* Increase the productivity of your team members


Updated and expanded by over 50 percent to reflect many changes that have occurred in the field over the past four years, this Second Edition of the bestselling original is now, more than ever, an indispensable resource for every project manager or software developer.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This updated and expanded revision of a successful book is an extremely user-friendly and practical guide to solving and avoiding the most common problems encountered in the software development process. Covers issues relating to people, quality, project tracking, requirements, vendor relationships and project management software tools. Contains realistic scenarios and cases to illustrate the variety of problems in project management.

From the Back Cover

Practical, comprehensive—a complete, no-nonsense guide to better project management...

This no-nonsense troubleshooting guide was written for frontline managers who want results, not rhetoric. Short on theory and long on practical, hands-on advice and guidance, it arms you with proven, easy-to-implement solutions to big ticket problems that plague today's software development projects, including those relating to personnel, quality, project scheduling and tracking, product requirements, product quality and usability, and much more. Written in a straightforward, conversational style and packed with realistic scenarios, Managing Software Development Projects, Second Edition shows you how to:

• Identify, resolve, and avoid most common development problems
• Improve the quality of your products and your customers' satisfaction with them
• Shorten development cycles
• Increase the productivity of your team members

Updated and expanded by over 50 percent to reflect many changes that have occurred in the field over the past four years, this Second Edition of the bestselling original is now, more than ever, an indispensable resource for every project manager or software developer.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (April 24, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047107683X
• ISBN-13: 978-0471076834
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,136,570 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Neal Whitten is a popular speaker, trainer, consultant, mentor, and author with over
35 years of front-line experience in human resource development, leadership and soft
skills, and project management. After earning an electrical engineering degree from the
University of Florida, he worked for IBM as a software engineer for 23 years, holding technical, project leader, and management positions. Shortly after leaving IBM in 1993, Neal founded The Neal Whitten Group, which offers a wide range of services, including speaking engagements; training and consulting services in leadership, project management, and personal development; and mentoring services for project managers and other leaders.

Neal is the author of several books, including Neal Whitten's Let's Talk! More No-Nonsense Advice for Project Success (Management Concepts); Neal Whitten's No-Nonsense Advice for Successful Projects (Management Concepts); The EnterPrize Organization: Organizing Software Projects for Accountability and Success (Project Management Institute); Managing Software Development Projects: Formula for Success (John Wiley & Sons); and Becoming an Indispensable Employee in a Disposable World (Prentice Hall).

Neal is a frequent presenter and keynote speaker at conferences, seminars, workshops, and special events. He has developed and instructed dozens of unique courses in personal development, leadership, and project management and presented to many thousands of people from hundreds of companies, institutions, and public organizations. He has written over 100 articles for professional magazines and has been a contributing editor of the Project Management Institute's PM Network® magazine for over ten years.
Neal is a member of the Project Management Institute and has been a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) since 1992.

Most of Neal's career has been in the technical and business areas of the professional world, so The Gift of Wisdom is something of a departure for him. With this book, Neal wants to expand his reach across America by capturing and sharing the often-overlooked wisdom of the elderly, so that we may all benefit from everything our
elders have to offer. He believes in unleashing the great personal potential of each individual and connecting with those who make up the backbone of America.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for first time software managers, November 3, 1999

By 

Maged Koshty ([e-mail]) (Ottawa, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Managing Software Development Projects: Formula for Success, New Edition (Paperback)

It's simply a very easy to use book, it's structure is unique where it gives you what you need to know either by browsing the most common mistakes in software development process in every phase of the development cycle, or by reading the to-the-point lessons you should follow in each phase..I recommend it to new managers who need to be on the right track in a short time and also as a quick reference for every manager.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good practical Guide to the Art of PM, May 18, 2001

By 

Austin O'Sullivan (Dublin Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Managing Software Development Projects: Formula for Success, New Edition (Paperback)

I have read many books on the subject of Project Management. Most fail , either because they try to treat PM as a science, or because they go completely the other way and lack any real substance. This book is different. It combines good sound PM methodology with common sense. This is complemented by practical examples of real life situations that I'm sure every PM can relate to. I would recommend every PM browse the chapter relevant to the phase of the project they are about to start on. It's amazing how much common sense we forget. This books demystifies PM and cuts out all the Jargon. It is a real asset to any PM who is serious about delivering software projects on time, within budget, to customer AND team satisfaction.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very well organized book, November 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Managing Software Development Projects: Formula for Success, New Edition (Paperback)

Very good book to read once and refer to it again and again. Practical scenarios make this book different from others. I have attended workshop by Neal Whitten. It was worth attending and surely he has enough number of issues with project management.