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42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Superb project roadmap and cheklists, November 17, 1999
This review is from: Software Project Survival Guide (Pro -- Best Practices) (Paperback)
Most (but not all) information in "Software Project Survival Guide" was also presented in "Rapid Development" by the same author. The value of this book is not in the amount of information, because "Rapid Development" provides much more information and many different best practices. The value of this book is the clear road map it gives you for running a project according to the "staged delivery" model. The checklists in the book are invaluable. This book is a blessing for everyone who is overwhelmed by the amount of information in "Rapid Development". I think this book is the perfect companion to "Rapid Development". "Rapid Development" is the authoritative reference for a lot of good practices. "Software Project Survival Guide" provides the checklists and road maps to keep the project on track in every phase of the project.
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131 of 145 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
"Best Practice" is not the same as "Survival", May 18, 1998
This review is from: Software Project Survival Guide (Pro -- Best Practices) (Paperback)
I was disappointed in this book - perhaps it was a problem with expectations. McConnell's previous books - Code Complete and Rapid Development -were very well written and provided valuable insights into best practices in the computer industry. By attempting to do the same thing here, the author missed the mark. The Software Project Survival Guide presents a road map marked with good practice applied in a mature organization that understands the nature of software and responds rationally, providing the resources and time required to do the job right. The overwhelming majority of people who are taking on their first project management job will have few, if any, of the benefits that this book takes for granted. Don't get me wrong. This is a great collection of really good ideas and it's really well written, but it doesn't give much guidance to the first-time project manager who needs to deal with misdirection and misunderstanding from those who he or she reports to. The book presents a fine set of suggestions on "Techniques for Really Good Project Management," but there isn't much on "Survival."
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34 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Both classic and contemporary, July 6, 2001
This review is from: Software Project Survival Guide (Pro -- Best Practices) (Paperback)
Computer books written in 1997 are either obsolete or classics. This one is a classic and a timeless one at that because it gives a straightforward approach to development projects that is consistent with best practices. Best practices are usually born from lesson's learned from disasters. While there have been criticisms that this book might not be up to the realities of web development, I believe that the inverse is true: too many web development projects are initiated before they are properly planned, and are not effectively controlled because of unskilled project managers. But that's a personal opinion. What you will find in this book that is applicable to any development project, regardless of whether the goal is a web- or e-commerce-based system, client/server or host-based. What you get is a structured approach to planning and estimating using proven methods (as opposed to pulling numbers out of thin air), excellent advice on organizing and motivating (and protecting) a project team, and how to manage delivery and release of a quality product. What I particularly like is the life-cycle framework, the controls provided to manage scope and product integrity and the emphasis on testing, release and quality. However, much of this can be mined from other books. What sets this book apart and makes it a classic is the wealth of tips and checklists and the way the author weaves his experiences into the approach. What makes this book effective is the copious advice given throughout about dealing with politics, people issues and other project and career killers. This book is about surviving projects and if the advice liberally sprinkled throughout is heeded it will go a long way towards helping you to do just that.
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