Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Software Project Survival Guide summary
Steve McConnell
Brief summary
Software Project Survival Guide by Steve McConnell is a comprehensive resource that offers practical advice and strategies for successfully managing software projects. It covers key principles and best practices, providing valuable insights for project managers and team members.
Topics
Table of Contents
Software Project Survival Guide
Summary of key ideas
Understanding the Software Development Process
In Software Project Survival Guide by Steve McConnell, we embark on a comprehensive journey through the software development process. McConnell begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding the software development process, highlighting the common pitfalls and offering practical advice to navigate them. He introduces the concept of the 'cone of uncertainty' to illustrate the inherent unpredictability in software development.
McConnell then delves into the critical role of requirements in software projects. He emphasizes the need for clear, complete, and consistent requirements, and provides strategies for managing requirements effectively. He also discusses the importance of involving the customer in the requirements process, ensuring that the final product meets their needs and expectations.
Planning and Managing Software Projects
The next section of Software Project Survival Guide focuses on planning and managing software projects. McConnell introduces the concept of the 'software project lifecycle' and discusses various project management methodologies, such as the Waterfall model and the iterative development model. He emphasizes the need for realistic project schedules and budgets, and provides practical tips for creating and managing them.
McConnell also addresses the critical issue of managing project risks. He outlines a systematic approach to identifying, analyzing, and mitigating project risks, helping project managers anticipate and address potential problems before they escalate. Additionally, he discusses the importance of effective communication and team management in ensuring project success.
Design, Construction, and Testing
In the third section of Software Project Survival Guide, McConnell focuses on the design, construction, and testing phases of software development. He emphasizes the importance of good software design, discussing principles such as modularity, abstraction, and information hiding. He also provides practical guidelines for writing high-quality code, including the use of coding standards and code reviews.
McConnell then moves on to the testing phase, highlighting the importance of thorough and systematic testing. He discusses various testing techniques, such as unit testing, integration testing, and system testing, and emphasizes the need for both automated and manual testing. He also addresses the challenge of managing defects, providing strategies for tracking, prioritizing, and resolving them.
Quality Assurance and Project Closure
The final section of Software Project Survival Guide focuses on quality assurance and project closure. McConnell discusses the role of quality assurance in software projects, emphasizing the need for a systematic approach to quality management. He introduces the concept of the 'quality triangle', which highlights the trade-offs between scope, schedule, and quality in software projects.
McConnell then addresses the often-overlooked phase of project closure. He discusses the importance of conducting a thorough project postmortem to identify lessons learned and best practices. He also emphasizes the need for proper project documentation and archiving, ensuring that valuable project knowledge is preserved for future use.
Conclusion: A Comprehensive Guide to Software Project Management
In conclusion, Software Project Survival Guide by Steve McConnell provides a comprehensive guide to software project management. McConnell's practical insights, drawn from his extensive experience in the software industry, offer valuable lessons for both novice and experienced project managers. By understanding and applying the principles outlined in this book, software project stakeholders can navigate the complexities of software development more effectively, increasing the likelihood of project success.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Software Project Survival Guide about?
Software Project Survival Guide by Steve McConnell is a comprehensive book that offers practical advice and strategies for successfully managing software development projects. It covers a wide range of topics including project planning, team management, risk assessment, and communication. Whether you're a project manager, developer, or stakeholder, this book provides valuable insights to help you navigate the challenges of software project management.
Software Project Survival Guide Review
Software Project Survival Guide (1998) is a valuable resource for anyone involved in software project management. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It provides practical, actionable strategies to successfully navigate the complex world of software project management, ensuring project success.
- Filled with real-life examples and lessons learned, the book offers valuable insights into common pitfalls and how to avoid them, making it a trusted guide.
- The author's no-nonsense approach and straightforward writing style keep readers engaged, ensuring that the book is informative, insightful, and definitely not boring.
Who should read Software Project Survival Guide?
- Software developers and engineers looking to improve their project management skills
- Project managers seeking practical guidance for handling software projects
- Business professionals involved in software development and delivery
Categories with Software Project Survival Guide
Book summaries like Software Project Survival Guide
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Software Project Survival Guide FAQs
What is the main message of Software Project Survival Guide?
The main message of Software Project Survival Guide is to help navigate the challenges of software project management and ensure successful outcomes.
How long does it take to read Software Project Survival Guide?
The reading time for Software Project Survival Guide varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Software Project Survival Guide a good book? Is it worth reading?
Software Project Survival Guide is worth reading for its practical insights and tips on managing software projects effectively.
Who is the author of Software Project Survival Guide?
The author of Software Project Survival Guide is Steve McConnell.
What to read after Software Project Survival Guide?
If you're wondering what to read next after Software Project Survival Guide, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Coaching for Performance by Sir John Whitmore
- Selling the Invisible by Harry Beckwith
- Start with Why by Simon Sinek
- The No Asshole Rule by Robert I. Sutton
- Good to Great by Jim Collins
- Inspired by Marty Cagan
- The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto
- You Can Negotiate Anything by Herb Cohen
- Winning by Jack Welch with Suzy Welch
- Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg