Agile Management for Software Engineering (The Coad Series)

"This book does a good job of describing the methods employed at Sprintpcs.com ... over 250 people practicing Feature Driven Development and reporting their progress to me at the monthly operations review."
--Scott B. Relf, Chief Marketing Officer, Sprint PCS

"A tremendous contribution to the literature in the field. This should be required reading for all development teams going forward."
--John F. Yuzdepski, VP & GM, Openwave Systems

A breakthrough approach to managing agile software development, Agile methods might just be the alternative to outsourcing. However, agile development must scale in scope and discipline to be acceptable in the boardrooms of the Fortune 1000. In Agile Management for Software Engineering, David J. Anderson shows managers how to apply management science to gain the full business benefits of agility through application of the focused approach taught by Eli Goldratt in his Theory of Constraints.

Whether you're using XP, Scrum, FDD, or another agile approach, you'll learn how to develop management discipline for all phases of the engineering process, implement realistic financial and production metrics, and focus on building software that delivers maximum customer value and outstanding business results.Coverage includes:

• Making the business case for agile methods: practical tools and disciplines
• How to choose an agile method for your next project
• Breakthrough application of Critical Chain Project Management and constraint-driven control of the flow of value
• Defines the four new roles for the agile manager in software projects-- and competitive IT organizations

Whether you're a development manager, project manager, team leader, or senior IT executive, this book will help you achieve all four of your most urgent challenges: lower cost, faster delivery, improved quality, and focused alignment with the business.

Anderson (a software development manager) applies Goldratt's approach (outlined in his Theory of Constraints) to the challenges of software development--in terms of both project management and business goals. He offers guidance on creating management discipline for all phases of the engineering process, implementing realistic financial and production metrics, and focusing on customer value. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

DAVID J. ANDERSON has been in the software business for more than 20 years, with experience as a developer and manager in start-up environments and in three of the world's largest companies. He was a member of the team that created Feature Driven Development. David is currently Director of Emerging Technology with 4thpass Inc., a Motorola subsidiary based in Seattle, WA.