Skills - Project Management

Dictionary of Project Management Terms , by J. LeRoy Ward (Author), PMP (Author), PgMP (Author), ESI International, 2008 ISBN 1890367451
Now in its third edition, this dictionary shows how the field of project management has exploded in the last few years. With over 3,400 terms (up from 1,800 in 2000), it includes not only traditional project management terms, but also broader business terms to help seasoned managers as well as their successors navigate the ubiquitous language of project-speak more easily.

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The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management, Eric Verzuh, John Wiley & Sons, 1999 ISBN 0471325465
As with all of the Fast Forward MBA series, this book is designed as an on-the-job textbook delivering a wealth of project management know-how to folks with limited time for study. Good chapters on estimating and scheduling techniques.

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A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, PMI Standards Committee, Project Management Institute, 1996 ISBN 1880410133
A guidebook to the "generally accepted" (and manageable sized) subset of the substantial PMBOK. A good basic reference on the current paradigms of project management.

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Right-Brain Project Management: A Complimentary Approach, by B. Michael Aucoin, Management Concepts, 2007, ISBN 1567262066
Grounded in real world project experiences and knowledge, Aucoin's "seven principles of right-brain project management," serve as a reminder to tap creative, intuitive, and interpersonal skills in order to supplement -- not replace -- traditional linear project management processes.

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Managing the Development of New Products: Achieving Speed and Quality Simultaneously Through Multifunctional Teamwork, Milton D. Rosenau, Jr. CMC, John J. Moran (Contributor) , John Wiley & Sons, 1993 ISBN 0471291838
A real-world guide to accelerating speed to market by applying project management processes. Written by two of the top consultants in the product development field. Chapter topics include defining project goals, planning the project, work breakdowns and schedule estimating, organizing the team, monitoring tools, managing changes, completing the project, and more.

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On Time/on Budget: A Step-By-Step Guide for Managing Any Project, Sunny Baker, Kim Baker (Contributor), Prentice Hall, 1992 ISBN 0136334474
A step-by-step primer on project management, this guide provides practical methods, worksheets, checklists, and charts for getting the best results in the shortest time.

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Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams, 2nd Ed., Tom Demarco, Timothy Lister, Dorset House, 1999 ISBN 0932633439
A highly acclaimed work on the management of software development, Peopleware focuses on the people problems of software development and specific advice on how to overcome them and improve productivity. Written from an in-the-trenches point of view, the most common review comment on this book is "I must get my boss to read this!".

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PM Crash CourseTM: A Revolutionary Guide to what REALLY Matters When Managing Projects, Rita Mulcahy, RMC Publications, 2007 ISBN: 1932735070
A practical, plain language introduction to the process framework of project management, focused on the front-end work of project planning. Concepts, examples, and exercises are provided for each key deliverable or activity. Appropriate for anyone who needs a ground-level introduction to project management basics and how to apply them, regardless of their title.

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Project Management: A systems approach to planning, scheduling and controlling, Harold Kerzner, John Wiley & Sons, 1997 ISBN 0471288357
In this sixth edition text book, over a thousand pages cover every aspect of project management of cross-functional teams. Filled with case studies. The author offers seminars and PMI certification using this text.

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Project Workout: A Toolkit for Reaping the Rewards of All Your Business Projects [Second Edition], Robert Buttrick, Financial Times, 2000 ISBN 027364436X
This second edition covers a wide range of project management topics in a concise, lucid, practical format. Contains dozens of checklists and "workout" templates on a CD-ROM.

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Projects at Warp-Speed with QRPD, Orion Kopelman, Cinda Voegtli, Adam Josephs, Global Brain, Inc, 1998 ISBN 1885261160
This is the guidebook for Quality Rapid Product Development (QRPD^TM), a methodology of global best-practices for developing technology-related products, processes, and services quickly, at low cost, with high quality, while achieving maximum return-on-investment for the company. The book is a wealth of techniques, case studies, examples, templates, and checklists, in an entertaining and highly readable format.

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Quantitative Methods in Project Management, John C. Goodpasture, J. Ross, 2003 ISBN 1932159150
Quantitative policies, methods and tools to use in making good project management decisions.

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Rapid Development: Taming Wild Software Schedules, Steve C McConnell, Microsoft Press, 1996 ISBN 1556159005
An excellent guidebook for software development, scheduling and estimating, and risk management. Includes a section on "Classic Mistakes", a set of chapters on best practices, and dozens of case studies. A must-read for software project managers, team leaders, and developers.

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Scrappy Project ManagementTM, by Kimberly Wiefling, Happy About, 2007, ISBN 1600050514
A no-holds-barred guide for project managers trying to survive and manage projects that look nothing like the textbooks. Quick, upbeat, and relentlessly scrappy, the author recommends "outrageous creativity, sheer bravado, and nerves of steel" over "fancy-schmancy Microsoft Project Gantt charts" and focuses on how to avoid the 12 predictable pitfalls common to most projects.

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Software Engineering Project Management , Richard H. Thayer (Editor), Winston W. Royce, Edward Yourdon, IEEE Computer Society, 1997 ISBN 0818680008
This is the second edition of Thayer's broad reference for project managers of software engineering projects. Contains chapters and papers on staffing, software requirements writing, scheduling and estimating, peer reviews, and much more. Has classic papers containing experiences and anecdotes from software project managers, including "Trial by Firing: Saga of a Rookie Manager" by Alan Davis, as well as papers by Brooks, Yourdon, Pressman, and others. Interesting, informative, and readable.

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Software Project Management Kit for Dummies®, Greg Mandanis, Allen Wyatt, IDG Books Worldwide, 2000 ISBN 076450634X
An excellent resource for implementing a basic software development process. The complete project cycle -- planning, development, testing, and implementation -- is covered in the easily digestible "for Dummies®" format. Includes a CD-ROM with dozens of templates and trial versions of Microsoft Project 2000 and other tools.

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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Project Management , Sunny Baker, Kim Baker, MacMillan Distribution, 1998 ISBN 0028617452
A light-hearted yet serious guide book for the beginning project manager, as well as a reminder resource for more experienced PMs. Chapters are organized by a typical set of project phases, from Project Initiation to "Will the Last One Out Please Turn Off the Lights". Includes a chapter on project management software tools. Packed with checklists.

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The Project Manager's Survival Guide: The Handbook for Real-World Project Management, Donald Penner, Battelle Press, 1994 ISBN 0935470727
Packed with checklists, quick assessment tools, reminders and other helpful information, this book helps busy project managers stay on schedule.

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Effective Project Management, 2nd Edition, Robert K. Wysocki, Robert Beck, David B. Crane, John Wiley & Sons, 2000 ISBN 0471360287
A popular book on project management principles, skills, and advice with a real-world, simulation-based format. The CD-ROM-enhanced Second Edition takes you through simulated real-world project planning and tracking scenarios, using Microsoft Project as the planning tool.

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The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management, Eric Verzuh, John Wiley & Sons, 1999 ISBN 0471325465
As with all of the Fast Forward MBA series, this book is designed as an on-the-job textbook delivering a wealth of project management know-how to folks with limited time for study. Good chapters on estimating and scheduling techniques.

Buy the Book!

A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, PMI Standards Committee, Project Management Institute, 1996 ISBN 1880410133
A guidebook to the "generally accepted" (and manageable sized) subset of the substantial PMBOK. A good basic reference on the current paradigms of project management.

Buy the Book!

No Surprises Project Management: A Proven Early Warning System for Staying on Track, Timm J. Esque, Act Pub, 1999 ISBN 1882939042
An excellent guidebook for building commitment-based project plans and powerful, self-managed project teams. Includes detailed checklists, agendas, and templates.

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Project Management: A systems approach to planning, scheduling and controlling, Harold Kerzner, John Wiley & Sons, 1997 ISBN 0471288357
In this sixth edition textbook, over a thousand pages cover every aspect of project management of cross-functional teams. Filled with case studies. The author offers seminars and PMI certification using this text.

Buy the Book!

Project Planning, Scheduling & Control: A Hands-On Guide to Bringing Projects in on Time and on Budget, James P. Lewis, Probus Pub Co, 1995 ISBN 1557388695
An applications-oriented guide that cuts through the theory with practical step-by-step procedures for managing a wide range of projects. Includes question sets at the end of each chapter to test the reader's understanding.

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Project Workout: A Toolkit for Reaping the Rewards of All Your Business Projects [Second Edition], Robert Buttrick, Financial Times, 2000 ISBN 027364436X
This second edition covers a wide range of project management topics in a concise, lucid, practical format. Contains dozens of checklists and "workout" templates on a CD-ROM.

Buy the Book!

Projects at Warp-Speed with QRPD, Orion Kopelman, Cinda Voegtli, Adam Josephs, Global Brain, Inc, 1998 ISBN 1885261160
This is the guidebook for Quality Rapid Product Development (QRPD^TM), a methodology of global best-practices for developing technology-related products, processes, and services quickly, at low cost, with high quality, while achieving maximum return-on-investment for the company. The book is a wealth of techniques, case studies, examples, templates, and checklists, in an entertaining and highly readable format.

Buy the Book!

Software Project Management Kit for Dummies®, Greg Mandanis, Allen Wyatt, IDG Books Worldwide, 2000 ISBN 076450634X
An excellent resource for implementing a basic software development process. The complete project cycle -- planning, development, testing, and implementation -- is covered in the easily digestible "for Dummies®" format. Includes a CD-ROM with dozens of templates and trial versions of Microsoft Project 2000 and other tools.

Buy the Book!

Total Project Control: A Manager's Guide to Integrated Project Planning, Measuring, and Tracking , Stephen A. Devaux, John Wiley & Sons, 1999 ISBN 0471328596
Lauded as a "major shift from traditional project management theory," the Total Project Control method offers new tools and techniques for planning, measuring, and tracking project scope, schedule, and cost.

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Controlling Software Projects: Management, Measurement and Estimation, Tom Demarco, Barry W. Boehm, Yourdon, 1986 ISBN 0131717111
This guide for software scheduling and estimating shows managers how to organize software projects so that they are objectively measurable, and prescribes techniques for making early and accurate projections of time and cost to deliver.

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Critical Chain, Eliyahu M. Goldratt, North River Press, 1997 ISBN 0884271536
Goldratt's original work, in novel form, on the Critical Chain method of project scheduling. The Critical Chain method models the limitations and constraints on resources more effectively than traditional planning methods, yielding more realistic schedules and more effective schedule management. A controversial book with both fanatical supporters and disappointed detractors, it should be read by anyone interested in one of the toughest problems of project management.

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Critical Chain Project Management , Lawrence Leach, Artech House, 2000 ISBN 1580530745
The author combines current project management knowledge and practice with his own extensive project management experience to extend the vision in Eli Goldratt's writings into a complete guide on implementing critical chain project management and measuring its impact on project success.

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Estimating Software Costs, T. Capers Jones, McGraw Hill, 1998 ISBN 0079130941
Written by one of the pioneers in software estimating, this guidebook discusses the fundamentals of effective software estimating, what tools are available, and how to handle real-world issues such as creeping requirements and excessive schedule pressure.

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The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management, Eric Verzuh, John Wiley & Sons, 1999 ISBN 0471325465
As with all of the Fast Forward MBA series, this book is designed as an on-the-job textbook delivering a wealth of project management know-how to folks with limited time for study. Good chapters on estimating and scheduling techniques.

Buy the Book!

Goldratt's Theory of Constraints: A Systems Approach to Continuous Improvement , William H. Dettmer, Amer Society for Quality, 1996 ISBN 0873893700
A comprehensive yet clear guidebook on Goldratt's Theory of Constraints (TOC), which is the foundation of the Critical Chain method of estimating and scheduling. The claims for the overall philosophy of TOC cover the full gamut of organizational design, change management, and process improvement. This implementational guidebook is easy to read and loaded with examples, making TOC perhaps more accessible and easier to apply than did Goldratt's original novel. The broad claims made for TOC make it immediately controversial; still, this book is an interesting read for anyone interested in the mechanics of change and the roots of Critical Chain scheduling.

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Project Planning, Scheduling & Control: A Hands-On Guide to Bringing Projects in on Time and on Budget, James P. Lewis, Probus Pub Co, 1995 ISBN 1557388695
An applications-oriented guide that cuts through the theory with practical step-by-step procedures for managing a wide range of projects. Includes question sets at the end of each chapter to test the reader's understanding.

Buy the Book!

Rapid Development: Taming Wild Software Schedules, Steve C McConnell, Microsoft Press, 1996 ISBN 1556159005
An excellent guidebook for software development, scheduling and estimating, and risk management. Includes a section on "Classic Mistakes", a set of chapters on best practices, and dozens of case studies. A must-read for software project managers, team leaders, and developers.

Buy the Book!

Software Engineering Economics, Barry W. Boehm, Prentice Hall, 1981 ISBN 0138221227
This classic work on software estimating introduced the Constructive Cost Model (COCOMO) still in wide use today. Though showing its age (1981) in some places, this book is still a valuable resource on software estimation in general and the COCOMO method and its derivatives in particular.

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Software Engineering Project Management , Richard H. Thayer (Editor), Winston W. Royce, Edward Yourdon, IEEE Computer Society, 1997 ISBN 0818680008
This is the second edition of Thayer's broad reference for project managers of software engineering projects. Contains chapters and papers on staffing, software requirements writing, scheduling and estimating, peer reviews, and much more. Has classic papers containing experiences and anecdotes from software project managers, including "Trial by Firing: Saga of a Rookie Manager" by Alan Davis, as well as papers by Brooks, Yourdon, Pressman, and others. Interesting, informative, and readable.

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Software Estimation: Demystifying the Black Art, Steve McConnell, Microsoft Press, 2006 ISBN: 0735605351
A detailed, easy to follow, comprehensive, and practical book aimed at people who want to take software project estimation beyond the usual cursory treatment it receives. Includes detailed discussions of various techniques, guidance for specific estimation challenges, and reference tables on the applicability of the covered approaches.

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Software Project Management Kit for Dummies®, Greg Mandanis, Allen Wyatt, IDG Books Worldwide, 2000 ISBN 076450634X
An excellent resource for implementing a basic software development process. The complete project cycle -- planning, development, testing, and implementation -- is covered in the easily digestible "for Dummies®" format. Includes a CD-ROM with dozens of templates and trial versions of Microsoft Project 2000 and other tools.

Buy the Book!

The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering , Frederick P. Brooks Jr, Addison-Wesley, 1995 ISBN 0201835959
One of the classics of software program management, Brooks points out the nonlinear economies of scale in software development teams. The revised edition has four new chapters.

Buy the Book!

Total Project Control: A Manager's Guide to Integrated Project Planning, Measuring, and Tracking, Stephen A. Devaux, John Wiley & Sons, 1999 ISBN 0471328596
Lauded as a "major shift from traditional project management theory", the Total Project Control method offers new tools and techniques for planning, measuring, and tracking project scope, schedule, and cost.

Buy the Book!

The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management, Eric Verzuh, John Wiley & Sons, 1999 ISBN 0471325465
As with all of the Fast Forward MBA series, this book is designed as an on-the-job textbook delivering a wealth of project management know-how to folks with limited time for study. Good chapters on estimating and scheduling techniques.

Buy the Book!

Principles of Software Engineering Management , Tom Gilb, Susannah Finzi (Editor), Addison-Wesley, 1988 ISBN 0201192462
A useful guide for software requirements management, software inspections, and evolutionary development cycles. Written from an anecdotal "in the trenches" point of view, the book is full of practical guidance and tools to help manage complex software engineering projects. Includes a thorough treatment of the Fagin software inspection type of software code reviews.

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Project Management: A systems approach to planning, scheduling and controlling, Harold Kerzner, John Wiley & Sons, 1997 ISBN 0471288357
In this sixth edition text book, over a thousand pages cover every aspect of project management of cross-functional teams. Filled with case studies. The author offers seminars and PMI certification using this text.

Buy the Book!

Project Workout: A Toolkit for Reaping the Rewards of All Your Business Projects [Second Edition], Robert Buttrick, Financial Times, 2000 ISBN 027364436X
This second edition covers a wide range of project management topics in a concise, lucid, practical format. Contains dozens of checklists and "workout" templates on a CD-ROM.

Buy the Book!

Total Project Control: A Manager's Guide to Integrated Project Planning, Measuring, and Tracking, Stephen A. Devaux, John Wiley & Sons, 1999 ISBN 0471328596
Lauded as a "major shift from traditional project management theory", the Total Project Control method offers new tools and techniques for planning, measuring, and tracking project scope, schedule, and cost.

Buy the Book!

Winning at New Products: Accelerating the Process from Idea to Launch , Robert G. Cooper, Perseus Press, 1993 ISBN 0201563819
This is the revised second edition of the classic work on how to design and implement product development processes that produce winning products. In this update, the author has incorporated more product development experiences and new practices, with an additional focus on speed to market and globalization.

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Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk, Peter L. Bernstein, John Wiley & Sons, 1998 ISBN 0471295639
The best-selling history of risk from early myth and magic to modern principles of measurement, risk management and investing. Though written from an investor's point of view, the story is entertaining and relevant to a wide spectrum of interests.

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Assessment and Control of Software Risks (Yourdon Press Computing), Capers Jones, Prentice Hall, 1994 ISBN 0137414064
A well-organized desk-top reference for identifying and mitigating risk in software development projects. This handbook summarizes more than 50 of the major problems of building and maintaining software projects, and outlines the prevention/control "therapies" available. Recommended for software project managers, developers, and quality assurance professionals.

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Introduction to Simulation and Risk Analysis, James R. Evan, David Louis Olson, Prentice Hall, 1998 ISBN 0136216080
An introduction to the concepts, methodologies, and applications of simulation in business. Spreadsheet examples are used to illustrate concepts.

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Project Financing: Asset-Based Financial Engineering , John D. Finnerty, PhD, John Wiley & Sons, 1996 ISBN 0471146315
The technique of project financing of capital-intensive projects is illustrated with several high-profile case studies such as the Euro-Disney theme park and the Eurotunnel.

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Rapid Development: Taming Wild Software Schedules, Steve C McConnell, Microsoft Press, 1996 ISBN 1556159005
An excellent guidebook for software development, scheduling and estimating, and risk management. Includes a section on "Classic Mistakes", a set of chapters on best practices, and dozens of case studies. A must-read for software project managers, team leaders, and developers.

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Risk Management in Project Finance and Implementation, Henri L. Beenhakker, Greenwood Publishing Group, 1997 ISBN 1567201067
A comprehensive guide to risk management and project financing from an investment perspective.

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Risk Management: Concepts and Guidance, 2nd Edition, Carl L. Pritchard, Editor, ESI International, 2001 ISBN 1890367303
An excellent guidebook presenting techniques for risk identification, assessment, and management in the context of project and program management.

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The Challenger Launch Decision: Risky Technology, Culture, and Deviance at NASA, Diane Vaughan, Univ of Chicago Press, 1996 ISBN 0226851753
An in-depth account of the root causes of the Challenger accident, this book coins and defines the risk management term "normalization of deviance".

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Poor-quality Cost, H. James Harrington, Marcel Dekker, 1987 ISBN 0824777433
This book helps dispel the myth that good quality requires higher costs. Good resource utilization can lower costs and still deliver good quality.

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Project Financing: Asset-Based Financial Engineering , John D. Finnerty, PhD, John Wiley & Sons, 1996 ISBN 0471146315
The technique of project financing of capital-intensive projects is illustrated with several high-profile case studies such as the Euro-Disney theme park and the Eurotunnel.

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The Law and Business of International Project Finance, Scott Hoffman, Kluwer Law International, 1998 ISBN 9041106219
A comprehensive text on the "project finance" technique for large capital-intensive projects. Subjects include financing sources, environmental issues, contracts, loan and collateral documents, permits, and more. Includes a due-diligence checklist, a detailed glossary of project finance terms, and a bibliography of legal and business books related to project finance.

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The Challenger Launch Decision: Risky Technology, Culture, and Deviance at NASA, Diane Vaughan, Univ of Chicago Press, 1996 ISBN 0226851753
An in-depth account of the root causes of the Challenger accident, this book coins and defines the risk management term "normalization of deviance".

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Exploring Requirements: Quality Before Design, Donald C. Gause, Gerald M. Weinberg, Dorset House, 1989 ISBN 0932633137
A highly innovative and entertaining look at the most challenging part of the whole development process -- how to design products and systems that people want.

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The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering , Frederick P. Brooks Jr, Addison-Wesley, 1995 ISBN 0201835959
One of the classics of software program management, Brooks points out the nonlinear economies of scale in software development teams. The revised edition has four new chapters.

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Practical Software Requirements: A Manual of Content and Style , Benjamin L. Kovitz, Manning Publications Company, 1998 ISBN 1884777597
A guidebook for writing requirements documents and design specification documents that customers, programmers, testers, and technical writers will actually read and use. The book focuses on the important distinction between requirements (the "what") and specifications (the "how"), enabling product managers to identify customer needs and designers to develop clear solutions.

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Software Requirements (Dv-Best Practices), Karl E. Wiegers, Microsoft Press, 1999 ISBN 0735606315
A practical, well-received guide to software requirements management using a "best practices" approach. Includes guidance on change management and stakeholder negotiation.

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Use Cases: Requirements in Context, Daryl Kulak, Eamonn Guiney, Erin Lavkulich (Illustrator), Addison-Wesley Pub Co, 2000 ISBN 0201657678
A pragmatic guidebook for the application of use cases and the Unified Modeling Language (UML) in requirements analysis. Contains numerous case studies, and includes a chapter on the classic mistakes made in requirements gathering.

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