Description

Book Synopsis

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, esti

    Table of Contents
    FOREWORD by Roger S. Pressman xiii

    PREFACE xv

    CHAPTER 1 GETTING STARTED 1

    Goals and Scope 1

    Understanding the Enterprise 2

    Review of Software Management Fundamentals 3

    Theory versus Practice: Which Is It? 6

    Emphasizing Practitioner Roles 7

    Setting Realistic Expectations 8

    How Do You Know Whether You Will Be Successful? 13

    Recognizing Bad Smells and Trusting Your Blink 13

    Separating the Controllables from the Noncontrollables 14

    Surveying the Tools of the Trade 15

    Line Management Tools and Techniques 16

    Project Management Tools and Techniques 17

    Digging Deep to Find the Root Cause 18

    Questions to Be Answered 18

    Summary of Key Points 19

    References 20

    Web Pointers 20

    CHAPTER 2 INDUSTRIAL CASE: ORGANIZING FOR ERP WITHIN A LARGE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SHOP 23

    Learning Objectives: Putting Project Management to Work 23

    Setting the Stage: The Three-Headed Dragon 23

    Options, Recommendation, and Reactions during the Transition to ERP 26

    Outcomes and Lessons Learned When Introducing Matrix Management 32

    Exercise: If You Were King, What Organizational Changes Would You Make to Breakdown the Silos? 33

    Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 35

    References 35

    Web Pointers 36

    CHAPTER 3 INDUSTRIAL CASE: WHAT IS A REASONABLE COST AND SCHEDULE FOR A TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROJECT UPGRADE? 37

    Learning Objectives: Establishing Realistic Cost and Schedule Goals 37

    Setting the Stage: Can We Do It for the Target Cost? 37

    Options, Recommendations, and Reactions While Striving to Satisfy Key Clients 41

    Outcomes and Lessons Learned Using Incremental Development 49

    Exercise: How Do You Get Your Bosses to Believe Your Estimates? 50

    Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 51

    References 52

    Web Pointers 52

    CHAPTER 4 INDUSTRIAL CASE: GETTING BACK ON TRACK WITHIN A MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENT 55

    Learning Objectives: Getting Back on Track 55

    Setting the Stage: Recognizing and Addressing the Trouble Signs 55

    Options, Recommendations, and Reactions While Attempting to Restore Order 57

    Outcomes and Lessons Learned Associated with Your Get-Well Plan 63

    Exercise: When Trying to Get a Software Project Back on Track, What Do You Focus On? 64

    Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 69

    References 69

    Web Pointers 70

    CHAPTER 5 INDUSTRIAL CASE: STAFF TURNOVER HAVING AN IMPACT IN FINANCIAL FIRM 73

    Learning Objectives: Addressing Staffi ng Issues 73

    Setting the Stage: Understanding the Learning Curve 73

    Options, Recommendations, and Reactions While Building a

    Modern Test Organization 76

    Outcomes and Lessons Learned While Addressing Test Issues 81

    Exercise: What Nonfinancial Incentives Would You Use to

    Reduce Staff Turnover? 82

    Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 83

    References 84

    Web Pointers 85

    CHAPTER 6 INDUSTRIAL CASE: ACQUIRING SOFTWARE FOR PIPELINE OPERATIONS 87

    Learning Objectives: Developing Requirements Using Multidisciplinary Teams 87

    Setting the Stage: How to Avoid Gold Plating and Other Common Maladies 87

    Options, Recommendations, and Reactions When Specifying

    Requirements 89

    Outcomes and Lessons Learned Relative to the Use of Feature-Based Specifications 97

    Exercise: When Managing Requirements, What Are the Traps to Watch Out For? 97

    Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 99

    References 100

    Web Pointers 100

    CHAPTER 7 INDUSTRIAL CASE: LAUNCHING SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS SALES ON THE INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA 102

    Learning Objectives: How Do You Transition a Start-Up from R&D to Doing Business? 102

    Setting the Stage: Capitalizing on the Opportunities 102

    Options, Recommendations, and Reactions as You Get Ready for Your Product Launch 104

    Outcomes and Lessons Learned as Your Product Hits the Street 111

    Exercise: How Do You Satisfy Business and Customer Needs When Selling Software? 112

    Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 114

    References 115

    Web Pointers 115

    CHAPTER 8 GOVERNMENT CASE: MANAGING THE ACQUISITION OF A LARGE DEFENSE PROJECT 117

    Learning Objectives: What to Do When a Contractor Is behind Schedule, over Budget, and Performing Badly 117

    Setting the Stage: Who Do We Blame? 117

    Options, Recommendations, and Reactions Resulting from an Independent Assessment 121

    Outcomes and Lessons Learned When the Truth Is Exposed 126

    Exercise: When Addressing Software Cost and Schedule Problems, How Do You Determine Their Root Causes? 127

    Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 129

    References 129

    Web Pointers 130

    CHAPTER 9 GOVERNMENT CASE: TOO MUCH GOVERNANCE/OVERSIGHT HINDERS PROGRESS IN HEALTH CARE 132

    Learning Objectives: How to Handle Extreme Governance Requirements Under Pressure 132

    Setting the Stage: Governance and the Competitive Environment 132

    Options, Recommendations, and Reactions Aimed at Validating the Architecture of a New Pharmacy System 136

    Outcomes and Lessons Learned When Dealing with Customer Demands for Change 139

    Exercise: How Much Oversight Is Enough within a Constrained but Competitive Contractual Environment? 141

    Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 143

    References 144

    Web Pointers 144

    CHAPTER 10 GOVERNMENT CASE: NEW CONCEPTS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 147

    Learning Objectives: Making the Transition to Agile Methods 147

    Setting the Stage: Change Management within Conservative Organizations 147

    Options, Recommendations, and Reactions during the Transition to Agile Methods on a Large Project Being Developed Globally 149

    Outcomes and Lessons Learned as You Scale Agile Methods for Use 154

    Exercise: How Do You Mechanize the Agile Notion That Software Requirements Are a Learning Exercise Rather Than a Specification Process? 155

    Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 158

    References 159

    Web Pointers 160

    CHAPTER 11 GOVERNMENT CASE: ADDRESSING CYBER CRIME ON THE INTERNET 163

    Learning Objectives: How to Get Help in Covering Unbudgeted Tasks 163

    Setting the Stage: The Quick Update Cycle 163

    Options, Recommendations, and Reactions to Approaches to Handle Frequent Requests to Refresh Network Defenses 165

    Outcomes and Lessons Learned Related to Getting Budget Relief 170

    Exercise: How Do You Quickly Change a Software Product and Keep Customers Happy at the Same Time? 171

    Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 175

    References 175

    Web Pointers 176

    CHAPTER 12 ACADEMIC CASE: HOW BEST TO EDUCATE THOSE ENTERING INDUSTRY 178

    Learning Objectives: Getting New University Hires Up-to-Speed Quickly 178

    Setting the Stage: What Does Industry Need from Universities? 178

    Options, Recommendations, and Reactions When Recruiting at Universities 182

    Outcomes and Lessons Learned Based on Recruiting Results 184

    Exercise: What Education and Training Do You Provide for New Software Hires? 186

    Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 189

    References 190

    Web Pointers 190

    CHAPTER 13 ACADEMIC CASE: RESEARCH AGENDAS THAT MATTER TO INDUSTRY 191

    Learning Objectives: Sponsored Research Agendas 191

    Setting the Stage: Research versus Teaching: A Dilemma? 191

    Fact-Finding 193

    Options, Recommendations, and Reactions Based on Research Discussions 193

    Organization 194

    Project 194

    Process 195

    Product 196

    Recommendations 196

    Outcomes and Lessons Learned Based on University Performance 197

    Exercise: How Do You Stimulate Pursuit of Software Research

    in Academia That Has a Near Rather Than Far-Term Impact? 199

    Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 201

    References 202

    Web Pointers 202

    CHAPTER 14 PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER 205

    Software Management Secrets of Success 205

    Gaining Insight and Advantage in Practice 206

    Ten Management Techniques to Rely On 207

    Ten Problems to Be Wary of When Pursuing Success 211

    Things You Can and Cannot Do in General 212

    If I Were King: My Six Wishes 213

    Summary 214

    References 214

    Web Pointers 215

    APPENDIX A ACRONYMS AND GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS 217

    Acronyms Used within the Book 217

    Key Terms Used within the Book 221

    APPENDIX B RECOMMENDED READINGS, REFERENCES, AND RESOURCES 227

    Recommended Readings 227

    References 228

    Other Resources 229

    APPENDIX C SAMPLE SOLUTIONS 231

    Chapter 2: Industrial Case: Organizing for ERP within a Large Information Technology Shop 231

    Chapter 3: Industrial Case: What Is a Reasonable Cost and Schedule for a Telecommunications Project Upgrade? 233

    Chapter 4: Industrial Case: Getting a Project Back on Track within a Manufacturing Environment 236

    Chapter 5: Industrial Case: Staff Turnover Having an Impact in Financial Firm 240

    Chapter 6: Industrial Case: Acquiring Software for Pipeline Operations 243

    Chapter 7: Industrial Case: Launching Software Applications Sales on the Internet and Social Media 245

    Chapter 8: Government Case: Managing the Acquisition of a Large Defense Project 248

    Chapter 9: Government Case: Too Much Governance/Oversight Hinders Progress in Health Care 251

    Chapter 10: Government Case: New Concepts for Air Traffi c Control 253

    Chapter 11: Government Case: Addressing Cyber Crime on the Internet 256

    Chapter 12: Academic Case: How Best to Educate Those Entering Industry 258

    Chapter 13: Academic Case: Research Agendas That Matter to Industry 260

    INDEX 261

War Stories

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    A Hardback by Donald J. Reifer

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      Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc
      Publication Date: 20/12/2013
      ISBN13: 9781118650721, 978-1118650721
      ISBN10: 1118650727

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      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, esti

        Table of Contents
        FOREWORD by Roger S. Pressman xiii

        PREFACE xv

        CHAPTER 1 GETTING STARTED 1

        Goals and Scope 1

        Understanding the Enterprise 2

        Review of Software Management Fundamentals 3

        Theory versus Practice: Which Is It? 6

        Emphasizing Practitioner Roles 7

        Setting Realistic Expectations 8

        How Do You Know Whether You Will Be Successful? 13

        Recognizing Bad Smells and Trusting Your Blink 13

        Separating the Controllables from the Noncontrollables 14

        Surveying the Tools of the Trade 15

        Line Management Tools and Techniques 16

        Project Management Tools and Techniques 17

        Digging Deep to Find the Root Cause 18

        Questions to Be Answered 18

        Summary of Key Points 19

        References 20

        Web Pointers 20

        CHAPTER 2 INDUSTRIAL CASE: ORGANIZING FOR ERP WITHIN A LARGE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SHOP 23

        Learning Objectives: Putting Project Management to Work 23

        Setting the Stage: The Three-Headed Dragon 23

        Options, Recommendation, and Reactions during the Transition to ERP 26

        Outcomes and Lessons Learned When Introducing Matrix Management 32

        Exercise: If You Were King, What Organizational Changes Would You Make to Breakdown the Silos? 33

        Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 35

        References 35

        Web Pointers 36

        CHAPTER 3 INDUSTRIAL CASE: WHAT IS A REASONABLE COST AND SCHEDULE FOR A TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROJECT UPGRADE? 37

        Learning Objectives: Establishing Realistic Cost and Schedule Goals 37

        Setting the Stage: Can We Do It for the Target Cost? 37

        Options, Recommendations, and Reactions While Striving to Satisfy Key Clients 41

        Outcomes and Lessons Learned Using Incremental Development 49

        Exercise: How Do You Get Your Bosses to Believe Your Estimates? 50

        Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 51

        References 52

        Web Pointers 52

        CHAPTER 4 INDUSTRIAL CASE: GETTING BACK ON TRACK WITHIN A MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENT 55

        Learning Objectives: Getting Back on Track 55

        Setting the Stage: Recognizing and Addressing the Trouble Signs 55

        Options, Recommendations, and Reactions While Attempting to Restore Order 57

        Outcomes and Lessons Learned Associated with Your Get-Well Plan 63

        Exercise: When Trying to Get a Software Project Back on Track, What Do You Focus On? 64

        Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 69

        References 69

        Web Pointers 70

        CHAPTER 5 INDUSTRIAL CASE: STAFF TURNOVER HAVING AN IMPACT IN FINANCIAL FIRM 73

        Learning Objectives: Addressing Staffi ng Issues 73

        Setting the Stage: Understanding the Learning Curve 73

        Options, Recommendations, and Reactions While Building a

        Modern Test Organization 76

        Outcomes and Lessons Learned While Addressing Test Issues 81

        Exercise: What Nonfinancial Incentives Would You Use to

        Reduce Staff Turnover? 82

        Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 83

        References 84

        Web Pointers 85

        CHAPTER 6 INDUSTRIAL CASE: ACQUIRING SOFTWARE FOR PIPELINE OPERATIONS 87

        Learning Objectives: Developing Requirements Using Multidisciplinary Teams 87

        Setting the Stage: How to Avoid Gold Plating and Other Common Maladies 87

        Options, Recommendations, and Reactions When Specifying

        Requirements 89

        Outcomes and Lessons Learned Relative to the Use of Feature-Based Specifications 97

        Exercise: When Managing Requirements, What Are the Traps to Watch Out For? 97

        Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 99

        References 100

        Web Pointers 100

        CHAPTER 7 INDUSTRIAL CASE: LAUNCHING SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS SALES ON THE INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA 102

        Learning Objectives: How Do You Transition a Start-Up from R&D to Doing Business? 102

        Setting the Stage: Capitalizing on the Opportunities 102

        Options, Recommendations, and Reactions as You Get Ready for Your Product Launch 104

        Outcomes and Lessons Learned as Your Product Hits the Street 111

        Exercise: How Do You Satisfy Business and Customer Needs When Selling Software? 112

        Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 114

        References 115

        Web Pointers 115

        CHAPTER 8 GOVERNMENT CASE: MANAGING THE ACQUISITION OF A LARGE DEFENSE PROJECT 117

        Learning Objectives: What to Do When a Contractor Is behind Schedule, over Budget, and Performing Badly 117

        Setting the Stage: Who Do We Blame? 117

        Options, Recommendations, and Reactions Resulting from an Independent Assessment 121

        Outcomes and Lessons Learned When the Truth Is Exposed 126

        Exercise: When Addressing Software Cost and Schedule Problems, How Do You Determine Their Root Causes? 127

        Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 129

        References 129

        Web Pointers 130

        CHAPTER 9 GOVERNMENT CASE: TOO MUCH GOVERNANCE/OVERSIGHT HINDERS PROGRESS IN HEALTH CARE 132

        Learning Objectives: How to Handle Extreme Governance Requirements Under Pressure 132

        Setting the Stage: Governance and the Competitive Environment 132

        Options, Recommendations, and Reactions Aimed at Validating the Architecture of a New Pharmacy System 136

        Outcomes and Lessons Learned When Dealing with Customer Demands for Change 139

        Exercise: How Much Oversight Is Enough within a Constrained but Competitive Contractual Environment? 141

        Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 143

        References 144

        Web Pointers 144

        CHAPTER 10 GOVERNMENT CASE: NEW CONCEPTS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL 147

        Learning Objectives: Making the Transition to Agile Methods 147

        Setting the Stage: Change Management within Conservative Organizations 147

        Options, Recommendations, and Reactions during the Transition to Agile Methods on a Large Project Being Developed Globally 149

        Outcomes and Lessons Learned as You Scale Agile Methods for Use 154

        Exercise: How Do You Mechanize the Agile Notion That Software Requirements Are a Learning Exercise Rather Than a Specification Process? 155

        Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 158

        References 159

        Web Pointers 160

        CHAPTER 11 GOVERNMENT CASE: ADDRESSING CYBER CRIME ON THE INTERNET 163

        Learning Objectives: How to Get Help in Covering Unbudgeted Tasks 163

        Setting the Stage: The Quick Update Cycle 163

        Options, Recommendations, and Reactions to Approaches to Handle Frequent Requests to Refresh Network Defenses 165

        Outcomes and Lessons Learned Related to Getting Budget Relief 170

        Exercise: How Do You Quickly Change a Software Product and Keep Customers Happy at the Same Time? 171

        Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 175

        References 175

        Web Pointers 176

        CHAPTER 12 ACADEMIC CASE: HOW BEST TO EDUCATE THOSE ENTERING INDUSTRY 178

        Learning Objectives: Getting New University Hires Up-to-Speed Quickly 178

        Setting the Stage: What Does Industry Need from Universities? 178

        Options, Recommendations, and Reactions When Recruiting at Universities 182

        Outcomes and Lessons Learned Based on Recruiting Results 184

        Exercise: What Education and Training Do You Provide for New Software Hires? 186

        Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 189

        References 190

        Web Pointers 190

        CHAPTER 13 ACADEMIC CASE: RESEARCH AGENDAS THAT MATTER TO INDUSTRY 191

        Learning Objectives: Sponsored Research Agendas 191

        Setting the Stage: Research versus Teaching: A Dilemma? 191

        Fact-Finding 193

        Options, Recommendations, and Reactions Based on Research Discussions 193

        Organization 194

        Project 194

        Process 195

        Product 196

        Recommendations 196

        Outcomes and Lessons Learned Based on University Performance 197

        Exercise: How Do You Stimulate Pursuit of Software Research

        in Academia That Has a Near Rather Than Far-Term Impact? 199

        Summary of Key Points and Lessons Learned 201

        References 202

        Web Pointers 202

        CHAPTER 14 PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER 205

        Software Management Secrets of Success 205

        Gaining Insight and Advantage in Practice 206

        Ten Management Techniques to Rely On 207

        Ten Problems to Be Wary of When Pursuing Success 211

        Things You Can and Cannot Do in General 212

        If I Were King: My Six Wishes 213

        Summary 214

        References 214

        Web Pointers 215

        APPENDIX A ACRONYMS AND GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS 217

        Acronyms Used within the Book 217

        Key Terms Used within the Book 221

        APPENDIX B RECOMMENDED READINGS, REFERENCES, AND RESOURCES 227

        Recommended Readings 227

        References 228

        Other Resources 229

        APPENDIX C SAMPLE SOLUTIONS 231

        Chapter 2: Industrial Case: Organizing for ERP within a Large Information Technology Shop 231

        Chapter 3: Industrial Case: What Is a Reasonable Cost and Schedule for a Telecommunications Project Upgrade? 233

        Chapter 4: Industrial Case: Getting a Project Back on Track within a Manufacturing Environment 236

        Chapter 5: Industrial Case: Staff Turnover Having an Impact in Financial Firm 240

        Chapter 6: Industrial Case: Acquiring Software for Pipeline Operations 243

        Chapter 7: Industrial Case: Launching Software Applications Sales on the Internet and Social Media 245

        Chapter 8: Government Case: Managing the Acquisition of a Large Defense Project 248

        Chapter 9: Government Case: Too Much Governance/Oversight Hinders Progress in Health Care 251

        Chapter 10: Government Case: New Concepts for Air Traffi c Control 253

        Chapter 11: Government Case: Addressing Cyber Crime on the Internet 256

        Chapter 12: Academic Case: How Best to Educate Those Entering Industry 258

        Chapter 13: Academic Case: Research Agendas That Matter to Industry 260

        INDEX 261

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