Crystal Clear:A Human-Powered Methodology for Small Teams by Alistair Cockburn
I have found this book useful because of the level of detail and remarkable objective view about the aspects of methodology that works, that is to say, people-orientation.
Have you ever heard about that in order to be useful a methodology should be ‘instanciated’? In other words: an effective methodology is one that is adapted to a particular context [1]. Alistair’s previous publications about methodology space convey the depth of what methodology entails [2], and what is to be considered for such methodology customization; somewhat recently, his publications focus on particular customizations becoming a ‘methods family’ called Crystal.
So yes, it has been very useful because has helped me to grasp in more detail what effective and practical methodology for small teams is all about.
References:
[1] Just-In-Time Methodology Construction
Comments
- Anonymous
March 31, 2005
It's refreshing to read your blog. I just found it today.
The best thing about Cockburn's work, imho, is the emphasis of s/w dev as a co-operative game. Once you accept that, you recognize the importance of people in the activity. Which in turn leads to understanding and acceptance personal traits, etc. So the methodology ends up being flexible and with light ceremony.
Being a grad CS student, I am undergoing a unique experience - I am taking a course in Agile development. That forces a lot of thinking, esp given the Software Engineering world view that CS ppl grow up with. - Anonymous
May 14, 2005
RePost:
http://www.yeyan.cn/SoftwareEngineering/MethodologySmallTeamsSoftwareDesign.aspx