Surviving Object-oriented Projects: A Manager's Guide OBT: Amazon.co.uk: Alistair Cockburn: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

While books on software engineering and project management abound, Alistair Cockburn's Surviving Object-Oriented Projects stands out as a lively view from the trenches of project management. It provides plenty of tips and tricks that will help you avoid the most common hazards of working with objects, especially for the first time.

The first part of the book concentrates on the common myths of object-oriented development. (For example, Cockburn clearly prefers Smalltalk and Java to C++ as a development language and he is not enthusiastic about today's computer-aided software engineering [CASE] tools.) He also cuts through the mire of software-engineering methodologies for development by stressing an incremental approach to creating software and gives many useful and practical suggestions for setting up and managing projects of varying sizes.

Throughout this lively and well-written text, the author mixes in anecdotes from actual managers and developers. He also presents actual project case histories (both small and large) and analyses what was done correctly and what went wrong. The author develops 12 strategies for creating successful, on-time software using objects, which are collated in a handy appendix--there is even a detachable "crib sheet".

With its mix of common sense and real-world savvy, Surviving Object-Oriented Projects offers a refreshing take on the realities of developing object-oriented software. This concise and engaging title can improve the odds of success for your next programming project. --Richard Dragan

Product Description

Today, many organizations claim competitive market advantages resulting from the application of object-oriented technology and approaches in their software development efforts. As the use of object technology has become increasingly widespread and mainstream, a growing number of project managers are faced with a daunting task: keeping the object technology project on track and within budget. These project managers are burdened by the weight of knowing that the survival and ultimate success of the project hinges on their insight when planning the project and their responses to events that lie ahead. Unfortunately, hidden costs, unpleasant surprises and unrealistic expectations lie in wait for the unprepared manager. Although much has been written about object technology and the benefits of this paradigm, there is still a shortage of compiled knowledge about what to expect and to plan for during project implementation. This book provides information that managers need to combat the unforeseen challenges that await them, allowing them to survive and ultimately succeed with an object-oriented project. To provide practical advice and guidelines for successfully managing an object-oriented project, the author borrows from the seasoned wisdom of numerous experts and successful consultants while also drawing on his personal experience and extensive knowledge. Surviving Object-Oriented Projects: A Manageris Guide points out potential hazards and names workable solutions by addressing the important issues of scheduling, budgeting, staffing, and cost justification. Key points are supported and illustrated through short case studies taken from real object-oriented projects, and an appendix collects these workable guidelines and solutions into brief icrib sheetsio ideal for handy reference. 0201498340B06012001

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

ootips favorite OO management book! 6 Nov 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

It is amazing that a single person can produce such a large amount of sound, insightful and useful advice. Alistair Cockburn presents principles, patterns and case studies for managing projects that use object oriented techniques, choosing "just enough process" and separating hype from reality.

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A great starting point for managers new to OO 26 Jun 1998

After browsing almost 50 books on object orientation, most of which were either over my head, dated, or hopelessly mired in details, I found Cockburn's "Surviving Object-Oriented Projects", and it provided for me a perfect overview of the area from a manager's perspective. It explodes the myths that the industry (and hired consultants) tend to tell us, and provides cogent arguments, and real-world examples. An excellent blend of background, facts, anecdotes, warnings, and advice in a very readable style. I "dog-eared" almost every page. I know it would become quickly outdated in a textbook, but I would have liked the author's opinion on specific OO-CASE and OO-4GL tools--perhaps a link to a Web-page where he provides more timely product evaluations.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

I wished I read this book two years ago.... 8 Aug 1999

Simply said, I loved this book!

This book provides ALL kind of managers as well as team members with VERY valuable information about the project process, project control, pitfalls and ways to (bigger chances on) success.

I wish we had read this book two years ago when we updated our software to a GUI-environment. Pitfall after pitfall were encountered, already clearly written down in this book. Reading it beforehand, might have saved the project...

Thanks Alistair, for writing this book! Please keep writing...