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The Deadline: A Novel About Project Management
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Like economics, the discipline of software development suffers from a weakness that prevents the resolution of competing theories, in that it is generally impossible to perform controlled experiments. It would take an extremely brave manager to ever try out two competing development theories by having two teams build the same product simultaneously. However, it is possible to borrow a technique from theoretical physics and perform thought experiments. Such an experiment would involve having more than one team develop the same product simultaneously, but using different techniques. That type of experiment is the premise of this novel.
The main character is a recent victim of downsizing who is kidnapped and taken to a formerly communist country where the educational level is high and the costs are low. Once there, he succumbs to his fantasies and agrees to perform the experiment of his dreams. With six products to build and a large staff of developers, he splits them into eighteen groups where each product is being built by three teams simultaneously. Each group of the three then uses a different development method. Throw in impossible deadlines and you have a microcosm of software development.
It would appear that such a premise would guarantee a boring book, but nothing could be further from the truth. The book is entertaining and enduring, as developers will recognize most of their development problems, albeit couched in somewhat unique circumstances. Many of the leading figures in the theory of software development management make cameo appearances, including a certain very rich man. The end result is a true stroke of genius that has somewhat of a surprise ending, but actually quite natural, given the current climate in the computer business.
It is rare when a book about the management of software development is not as dull as baked dirt, and this book is indeed the exception. Not only is it entertaining, but you can even learn some management skills in the process.
The main character is a recent victim of downsizing who is kidnapped and taken to a formerly communist country where the educational level is high and the costs are low. Once there, he succumbs to his fantasies and agrees to perform the experiment of his dreams. With six products to build and a large staff of developers, he splits them into eighteen groups where each product is being built by three teams simultaneously. Each group of the three then uses a different development method. Throw in impossible deadlines and you have a microcosm of software development.
It would appear that such a premise would guarantee a boring book, but nothing could be further from the truth. The book is entertaining and enduring, as developers will recognize most of their development problems, albeit couched in somewhat unique circumstances. Many of the leading figures in the theory of software development management make cameo appearances, including a certain very rich man. The end result is a true stroke of genius that has somewhat of a surprise ending, but actually quite natural, given the current climate in the computer business.
It is rare when a book about the management of software development is not as dull as baked dirt, and this book is indeed the exception. Not only is it entertaining, but you can even learn some management skills in the process.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you normally fall asleep while reading books about Project Management, give this one a try. Set in the form of a novel, the reader follows the experiences of a Project Manager charged with bringing home a series of project with typically impossible deadlines.
This is not a text book. If you're new to Project Management, I recommend that you start elsewhere. However, if you've been involved in projects or find yourself in the lucky position of being a Project Manager, this book provides some valuable ideas about how to improve your project -- or at least cope with inevitabilities.
If you enjoy this book, also look at "The Goal" by Eliyahu Goldratt and Jeff Cox, and also "Zapp: The Lightening of Improvement" by William Byham.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Mr. Demarco's book is an easy, entertaining read. It can be consumed in an evening with very little effort. In the guise of the protagonist's diary entries, Demarco instructs the reader on the finer points of software project management. Humor and a cutting wit are two more of Demarco's strong points. There is more practical information in this little book than in any 10 textbooks on the subject. It is now a part of my library (if I can ever get it back - people keep borrowing it!).
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun book
It's an engaging, silly story that captures project management ideas very well. The lessons tend to apply to larger organizations and may not be entirely valid in the "Agile... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ben C
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty good
I don`t think this book is BRILLIANT, but it`s pretty amazing and it`s surely useful to anyone who`s working in project management.
Published 10 months ago by Artem
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for aspiring project managers.
This novel includes great tips and pointers for aspiring and/or current project managers in the software industry. Is a must read for any Software Engineer.
Published 15 months ago by roy713
3.0 out of 5 stars
Deadline - More of a Fairy Tale, and No Longer Novel
Our department just went through a downsizing and restacking (corporate speak for physical cubicle shuffling) and I found The Deadline among the old pens and Splenda packets in an... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Brant Serxner
3.0 out of 5 stars
Some fun for the weekend
I have read the book in a glimpse. It is fun and full of insight.
The only thing that I missed is a couple of references per chapter :)
The only thing that I missed is a couple of references per chapter :)
Published on March 12, 2011 by Marc Magrans De Abril
2.0 out of 5 stars
Hey, De Marco, Stick to non-fiction
The good: it has a few insights into software project management. Most are pretty trivial though.
The bad: in terms of prose, the story and characters, it's simply horrible. Read more
The bad: in terms of prose, the story and characters, it's simply horrible. Read more
Published on December 25, 2009 by Assaf Lavie
2.0 out of 5 stars
Boring -- feels like fiction and shouldn't be used as an educational...
It felt like a class assignment that someone published.
"write a fictional story based on project management"
The story line was contrived and just put into place... Read more
"write a fictional story based on project management"
The story line was contrived and just put into place... Read more
Published on June 20, 2009 by Lizzi
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
This is another kind of type for teach the projects managment wth a interesting story
Published on March 27, 2009 by C. Teresa Zambrano Estupińan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Should have read it years ago.
If every boss, owner, manager, teacher, parent, partner, head of state, & clergy read this we might have a better world. It'a fun read.
Published on January 27, 2009 by G. C. Picchetti
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book! A quick read with great lessons!
Excellent book described in much detail by the other reviewers. I thought about giving it 4 stars since it is a little dated on current CMM status but I think that would have... Read more
Published on December 10, 2006 by William E. Purnell
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