Software by Numbers: Low-Risk, High-Return Development

by Mark Denne, Jane ClelandHuang (Contributor)

Title: Software by Numbers( Low-Risk High-Return Development) <>Binding: Paperback <>Author: MarkDenne <>Publisher: PrenticeHallPTR

Genres: Software, Computer Science, Technical, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2003

Reviews

[T Budiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book describes the concepts of IFM (Incremental Funding Methodology) and MMF (Minimal Marketable Feature) in software development. Those are concepts in the financial point of view of planning a software development project, introducing financial analysis through cashflow projections on how to minimize investments and optimalize return of investment through a careful selection of software release sequence.

The IFM could be used in the RUP projects or in agile projects (XP).

[Johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that covers the financial aspects for developing software. The MMF (minimal marketable feature) is a way to start small to get revenue quickly and then use that revenue to finance the following development steps. It is based on the Incremental Funding Methodology and extended with the jargon and formulas to convince business people. A short but very helpful book.

[Torben Rasmussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thorough look at how to improve decision making in software development through financial analysis. This books goes a long way to describe the benefits of agile principles in financial terms. A solid foundation for arguing for incremental delivery (and funding).

[Bob Schatz]

Read this a number of years ago, just went through it again. A must read for Product Owners, Executives to understand the benefits (both financial and risk-reducing) of incremental delivery and funding.

[Gregory Furmanek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very insightful info but a bit hard to read.

[Christophe Addinquy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incremental Funding Methodology was one of the hypes of the beginning of 2000' ; but it was also quickly gone. The approach is basically based on ROI, taking into account the time factor through money flow and discount factor. As such this is the firts serious ROI based approach. Because it was based on money flow, it was also close to the then emergent agile methods such as XP and Scrum.
Few of the chapters are interesting, unfortunately most of the book is boring, drowning the reader under mass of uneeded calculations. The print is also disastrous. Interesting from an historical perspective, but that's all.
ma note de lecture en français ici