Dynamic Software Development : Managing Projects in Flux, paperback
Managing Projects in Flux

The ever changing nature of information makes the job of managing software development notoriously difficult. Dynamic Software Development: Managing Projects in Flux eases the burden by defining the principles, practices, skills, and techniques needed to manage a dynamic development environment. At a hands-on level, the text helps managers define the project goal and the actual situation, plan progress, manage developers, and monitor productivity. At a higher level, the book helps managers determine a strategic framework, ease workflow in the development environment, obtain funding, increase economic return, and implement leadership by consensus. Targeted at those who manage information systems, corporate information, and developers, the book features a section at the end of each chapter to help you apply and customize the recommended techniques to your specific organization. It addresses recent approaches to building applications such as Extreme Programming, Adaptive Software Development, and "lightweight" methodologies. Noting the failure of similar techniques in the past, the author shows how such ideas can only achieve their true potential via the common, consistent management techniques outlined in Dynamic Software Development.
About the Author:Timothy Wells is a recognized expert in project management and project planning. Mr. Wells is an associate professor in Information Technology at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He has more than 28 years of experience in the software industry. His current focus is on information asset management and the effective use of technology for improving organizational performance.

Defining the Goal?Or Visualizing the Ideal Skills and Success Knowledge Management Manager's Nightmare Information as the Manager's Tool Trust What You Know, Not What You Are Told Applying Dynamic Management Defining Work?Or What's Really Happening in the Trenches A Day in the Life of a Developer Relating Management to Work A Unit of Work = Chunk of Information Defining Tasks Projecting Size Work and Corroboration Make It Specifically Yours Applying Dynamic Management Planning Progress?Or What You Don't Know Can Hurt You Information Structure Real Building Blocks Reward Complete Thinking Real Uncertainty Watch the Result, Not the Process Applying Dynamic Management Managing Developers?Or Dance With the One Who Brought You No Management? No Documentation? Diverse Skill Set Combining Work and Learning The Team of One Multi-Team Efforts Motivating by Rewarding Consistent Work Applying Dynamic Management Monitoring Productivity?Or Getting Better All the Time Measuring Work Done Measuring What Has Changed Determining Work's Cost Demanding Enhanced Value Applying Dynamic Management Strategic Framework?Or Metadesign Integrity The Importance of System Architecture Technology Decisions Mapping Architecture to Elements Architecture's Dark Side Applying Dynamic Management Constructive Development Environment?Or Making Work Flow Conflict within the Environment Seven Components of a Development Environment Sources of Conflict Assessing the Environment Ongoing Assessment Applying Dynamic Management Managing Managers?Or I'm OK, but the Rest of Them? Dealing with Expectations The Delegate Channel The Collaborate Channel The Service Channel Selling Enhanced Value Applying Dynamic Management Funding and Economic Return?Or Paying the Way Funding as Risk Containment Funding the Perpetual Effort Paying for Asset Development Applying Dynamic Management Leadership by Consensus?Or if You're Going My Way Decision Councils Leadership through Criticism Need for Responsibility Applying Dynamic Management Postscript Appendices Distorted Reality?Or Why Phased Management is Appealing Where to Begin?Or Getting Started with Dynamic Management Capability Maturity Model and Dynamic Software Management Dynamic Management Information Model Glossary Reading List DSM Case Study Each chapter concludes with a case study excerpt

Information system managers and supervisors, corporate information officers, team leaders, user managers and directors, and senior software developers