What do you think?
Rate this book
Agile Software Development Series
Agile and Iterative Development: A Manager's Guide
This is the definitive guide for managers and students to agile and iterative development methods: what they are, how they work, how to implement them, and why they should.
Using statistically significant research and large-scale case studies, noted methods expert Craig Larman presents the most convincing case ever made for iterative development. Larman offers a concise, information-packed summary of the key ideas that drive all agile and iterative processes, with the details of four noteworthy iterative methods: Scrum, XP, RUP, and Evo.
Using statistically significant research and large-scale case studies, noted methods expert Craig Larman presents the most convincing case ever made for iterative development. Larman offers a concise, information-packed summary of the key ideas that drive all agile and iterative processes, with the details of four noteworthy iterative methods: Scrum, XP, RUP, and Evo.
342 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
10 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 14, 2007
This was an excellent introduction to Agile and Iterative development. It was direct, to the point, and contained enormous numbers of references to further reading. The chapters consist of introductions, a long chapter presenting evidence for the power of iterative development (can be incredibly useful if you need to convince your boss you're not a kook), and more detailed introductions to Scrum, XP, UP, and Evo. The layout is useful, with the equivalent of hypertext links throughout, and just enough information to make it useful without getting detailed. It even mentions useful open source tools to get started with. Highly informative.
November 10, 2021
Good practical ideas on how to apply Agile principles from a beginners perspective.
December 11, 2014
There are a plethora of books on Agile software development, and its various aspects. This one by Craig Larman probably sums it up best for the typical IT dilettante - its a structured, comprehensive analysis of all the modus operandi of Agile and other iterative processes that espouse agility. Craig has the knack of presenting very complex ideas in a clear framework, leaving it to the reader to peel of the various layers, as the user's experience and wisdom predisposes them to.
In this book, without much ado, Craig jumps straight into the most fundamental aspect of Agility - iterative, feedback driven, evolutionary process.
He then, compares various processes that fall under the agility umbrella on these parameters - Scrum, XP, EVo etc. Having laid this foundation, the reader is prepared to see how/why a linear process doesnt work.
The book also does good justice to the history of IT processes, describing how the industry has evolved to this point of discovering Agile. That Agile was not revealed unto a chosen, exclusive few, but is a culmination of years of experience from thousands of hard working practitioners.
FInally, the book gets into the details of how to be Agile - as a practitioner of some of the common forms of Agile processes - XP, Scrum, EVo, Unified Process. Craig also, throughout the book, very pertinently contrasts the right way of doing things with the common pitfalls, so that the wary reader learns from others mistakes and come out truly wise after the reading this book.
In this book, without much ado, Craig jumps straight into the most fundamental aspect of Agility - iterative, feedback driven, evolutionary process.
He then, compares various processes that fall under the agility umbrella on these parameters - Scrum, XP, EVo etc. Having laid this foundation, the reader is prepared to see how/why a linear process doesnt work.
The book also does good justice to the history of IT processes, describing how the industry has evolved to this point of discovering Agile. That Agile was not revealed unto a chosen, exclusive few, but is a culmination of years of experience from thousands of hard working practitioners.
FInally, the book gets into the details of how to be Agile - as a practitioner of some of the common forms of Agile processes - XP, Scrum, EVo, Unified Process. Craig also, throughout the book, very pertinently contrasts the right way of doing things with the common pitfalls, so that the wary reader learns from others mistakes and come out truly wise after the reading this book.
February 2, 2009
Larman's book lays down the basic ideas behind Agile and iterative methodologies and then examines 4 major methodologies: XP, Scrum, RUP and Evo. He does it in a way that allows for easy comparisons between the different methodologies, their strengths and weakness.
Throughout the book, he backs up his subject matter with large scale studies and quantitative analysis with cold hard numbers.
If you are getting into Agile or want to know more or already doing agile but want some good data backing you up this book will fit those needs nicely.
Throughout the book, he backs up his subject matter with large scale studies and quantitative analysis with cold hard numbers.
If you are getting into Agile or want to know more or already doing agile but want some good data backing you up this book will fit those needs nicely.
December 28, 2016
OK, this book may look pretty old : 13 years is definitively old in the agile community. Also, this book is clearly process-oriented, an angle I avoid when I face managers for the first time. But Craig Larman is really gifted to explain clearly the concepts, illustrate them and make them engaging to read. Those important qualities make this text still relevant today, even if it would deserve a refresh (none comming).
ma note de lecture en français ici
ma note de lecture en français ici
August 14, 2008
This book should be required reading for any project manager or executive interested in adopting agile methods. It lays down the benefits of agile methods over traditional waterfall, backs it up with solid research, and provides answers to the many easily misunderstood attributes of embracing change.
May 26, 2011
Provides a very good description about 4 agile/iterative methods: Scrum, XP, UP and Evo. Also talks about how one could be combined with another to an extent finally ending with FAQ section which covers pretty much most of the general questions one might have regarding adopting these methodologies. Good read!
October 10, 2008
I got this book from my old boss when he heard about my new job. It was a pretty good read for the non-developer type. I found the info pretty thorough! IT was interesting enough to keep me from slipping into nap time when reading it after lunch!
June 28, 2013
no other explains in short ways the evolution of different software development methodologies and its current state. a must read for any business leader who wants to have a brief understanding about agile values and frameworks that promote it.
July 23, 2008
This book nailed the basics of iterative development. If you're looking to improve productivity through iterations or other agile methods this is a good place to start.
December 4, 2008
Great for learning the basics of SCRUM and XP.
April 4, 2009
For someone new to agile, this book describes several types of agile methodologies and compares them. Good way to get started on the agile learning curve.
August 23, 2015
Gets an overview of different agile methodologies.
March 30, 2013
A should-read book on product development for knowledge workers and entrepreneurs.
April 30, 2013
This book still holds up. Three companies and four platforms later, the principals are still sound.
January 29, 2009
A good guide to some of the flavours of agile
January 26, 2016
Well, got the theory down, now for the practice... ;)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews