Customer Reviews

Software Project Management Kit for Dummies

5 star:		(3)
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3 star:		(2)
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I've just wrapped up reading "Software Project Management for Dummies" book and would like to start by saying thank you. There are several Software PM books out there though it seems that the majority focus on a highly technical perspective or on basic communication tactics. I am to interview Monday for a Software PM position (am currently an Internet PM) and your book has helped me address the differences between the two.

I came across the book after combing through nearly 15 software pm books. I despise the title "for dummies" and had not picked it up until I was frustrated with the current offerings. As mentioned, they primarily dealt with highly technical software processes or people skills. Hardly any even mentioned a scope document! The CD has proven to be an enormous resource for myself. Those are the forms/documents needed for monitoring and progression of projects that I have not seen anywhere.

Thanks for the book and any tips that may follow.

Regards, Jason L. Volk

The book is a very good reference for beginners. I am a professional educator with Webster University and teach a graduate level course in software project management. I have had approximately 30 years experience with project management in general and 10 years experience with software project management. The material on the enclosed CD-ROM is excellent for beginners to use to get acquainted with the tools of the trade.

I bought the "Complete Idiot's Guide to Project Management" first, then found this title on the shelves. So I bought The Dummies book and gave The Idiot's book away.

The Dummies book is a good reference for people dabbling in project management. It is well structured, well laid-out, and well written. At the same time it cuts the (...)found in so many heavy-duty management books.

Particularly useful are the templates found all through the book - and the CD with digital copies of them all. I have introduced many of these templates into my workplace, with slight modifications.

Negatives? The absence of UML and Object Oriented development processes.

Great for getting a general idea of the different aspects involved in Software PM, which is very different from general project management. Not many books exist that are as focused as this one on the management of the SDLC. However, this book is merely an introduction to each step and you will need additional references for a deeper understanding of any of the topics discussed in this book.

I have a big gripe with Dummies books. They never seem to give you exactly what you need. Sure, the table of contents seems thorough, but once you start reading, it feels like you're missing a lot.

This book is no different. Although the included CD comes with some useful templates, the book's content reflects mostly non-standard practices of the author. I was quite alarmed in how little it discusses UML and Object Oriented development. These are the standards of today's projects, and the author seems to provide little attention to how important it is to adhere to standards in projects.

One of the biggest reasons why projects fail if due to a lack of standards involved in the project lifecycle. I recommend this book to give you a basic understanding of what's involved in project management, but I suggest following up with a book that adheres to strict standards. Standards make you marketable when it comes to changing jobs or getting projects approved. The methodology in this book is purely the method of the author.

Great service! Purchased the book as a gift. Gift receiver asked for this book and is working through it.