Software Projects: Evolutionary VS. Big-Bang Delivery (Wiley Series in Software Engineering Practice)

"It is a pleasure to recommend this book as a major contribution to our practical understanding of the Evolutionary Delivery project management method. It is rich with insights and practical advice which should help the practicing manager, as well as the intitial student of the method." Tom Gilb, Author of "Principles of Software Engineering Management". Software Projects Evolutionary vs. Big-Bang Delivery Producers of off-the-shelf software do not have the luxury of making phased deliveries to their customers. Increasingly, however, they manage the development process in an evolutionary manner — often with only limited success. In the development of large bespoke systems, the relationship between customer and developer is — or should be — closer. Managing it so that changes in the customer’s requirements are reflected in the development, and so that users can get the feel of the system as early as possible, are key challenges. To suppliers of commercial software, specialised software houses, and in-house developers, this book offers advice on the management of software development and delivery. To customers and users, it advises on the planning and definition of projects. Both managerial and technical aspects of software projects are covered, and both the benefits and the pitfalls of evolutionary and big-bang delivery are spelt out. The easy-to-read style makes assimilation of the key points quick and efficient. This is an ideal hand-book for project managers and software engineers on the development side, and customers, strategists and senior managers on the commissioning and procurement side.

This book focuses on the strategic and structural aspects of software development, dealing with planning, modeling, and controlling the software development in phases.