Factory Concepts and Practices in Software Development: An Historical Overview (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Michael A. Cusumano

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1332260608 ISBN 13: 9781332260607

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

This book explores the fascinating history of how software development evolved from a loosely-structured, craft-based practice to a more systematic, factory-like approach. The author examines the struggles of major software producers during the "software crisis" of the 1960s and 1970s, when rapidly increasing demand for software outpaced the supply of skilled engineers. The book delves into the challenges faced by companies like IBM and System Development Corporation (SDC) as they grappled with budget overruns, scheduling difficulties, and the inherent complexity of large-scale software projects. The author then focuses on the innovative "software factory" model, first pioneered by Hitachi in Japan. This approach aimed to standardize processes, introduce reusable software components, and leverage tools and methodologies to improve efficiency and productivity. The book examines the successes and failures of the software factory model, detailing the experiences of leading companies like Hitachi, Toshiba, and SDC, providing valuable insights into the organizational and technological challenges of software development. The book's rich historical analysis reveals how the software industry adapted to the complexities of a rapidly evolving technology, paving the way for the sophisticated software systems we rely on today.

About this title

About the Author

Professors David B. Yoffie and Michael A. Cusumano are the authors of the bestselling Competing on Internet Time.

Yoffie is the Max and Doris Starr Professor of International Business Administration at Harvard Business School and is the longest-serving member of the Intel board of directors. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of nine books and has written extensively for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Harvard Business Review.

Cusumano is the Sloan Management Review Distinguished Professor of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management, with a joint appointment in the MIT School of Engineering. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of eleven books, including the classic bestseller Microsoft Secrets and Staying Power: Six Enduring Principles for Managing Strategy and Innovation in an Uncertain World.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1332260608
• ISBN 13: 9781332260607
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 82