Using a humorous yet practical style, it offers excellent advice on every aspect of programmer management. Topics range from finding software developers, rewarding them and building an effective team.
Managing Software Maniacs is a light, sometimes humorous guide to managing software development teams. It assumes that readers are either already development team managers or on the way to becoming them. Author Ken Whitaker begins by explaining his ideal order of the team leader's priorities and how to get them straight. Once everyone's goals are in line, Whitaker proposes methods for recruiting the best additions to your team, sharpening your own skills as a leader, establishing good scheduling practices, and coping with unforeseen forces, such as intraoffice dynamics and the dreaded marketing department.
Each chapter is peppered with "Practical Maniac Tips" (there's even a "maniac" icon), "Reality Checks" to keep you focused, and "Rules for the Unruly" to keep your more "unique" team members from causing too much trouble.