Software War Stories: Case Studies in Software Management

A comprehensive, practical book on software management that dispels real-world issues through relevant case studies

Software managers inevitably will meet obstacles while trying to deliver quality products and provide value to customers, often with tight time restrictions. The result: Software War Stories.

This book provides readers with practical advice on how to handle the many issues that can arise as a software project unfolds. It utilizes case studies that focus on what can be done to establish and meet reasonable expectations as they occur in government, industrial, and academic settings. The book also offers important discussions on both traditional and agile methods as well as lean development concepts.

Software War Stories:

• Covers the basics of management as applied to situations ranging from agile projects to large IT projects with infrastructure problems
• Includes coverage of topics ranging from planning, estimating, and organizing to risk and opportunity management
• Uses twelve case studies to communicate lessons learned by the author in practice
• Offers end-of-chapter exercises, sample solutions, and a blog for providing updates and answers to readers’ questions

Software War Stories: Case Studies in Software Management mentors practitioners, software engineers, students and more, providing relevant situational examples encountered when managing software projects and organizations.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Getting Started
Chapter 2: Industrial Case: Organizing for ERP within a Large Information Technology Shop
Chapter 3: Industrial Case: What Is a Reasonable Cost and Schedule for a Telecommunications Project Upgrade?
Chapter 4: Industrial Case: Getting Back on Track Within a Manufacturing Environment
Chapter 5: Industrial Case: Staff Turnover Having an Impact in Financial Firm
Chapter 6: Industrial Case: Acquiring Software for Pipeline Operations
Chapter 7: Industrial Case: Launching Software Applications Sales on the Internet and Social Media
Chapter 8: Government Case: Managing the Acquisition of a Large Defense Project
Chapter 9: Government Case: Too Much Governance/Oversight Hinders Progress in Health Care
Chapter 10: Government Case: New Concepts for Air Traffic Control
Chapter 11: Government Case: Addressing Cyber Crime on the Internet
Chapter 12: Academic Case: How Best to Educate Those Entering Industry
Chapter 13: Academic Case: Research Agendas that Matter to Industry
Chapter 14: Pulling It All Together
Appendix A: Acronyms and Glossary of Key Terms
Appendix B: Recommended Readings, References, and Resources
Appendix C: Sample Solutions