Human factor

    (Brief review of the book "Peopleware")

    There are ideas that are born as a result of evolution. One cannot just sit down and give birth to such an idea without first having cones about the corners of others that seemingly solve the same problem, but have less comprehensive and less thorough ideas. Among such ideas are aircraft heavier than air, cars with an internal combustion engine.

    Another similar idea is the concept of building successful teams, described by Tom Demarco and Timothy Lister in the book “The Human Factor” (“Peopleware” by Tom DeMarco and Timothy Lister). It is necessary to come to the idea that a person is the main link in the process of intellectual activity, and, in particular, in the process of software development, in an evolutionary way. Going down the path to the intricacies of development methods, improving metrics and testing processes, participating in holy wars of programming languages, constantly wandering into technological jungle and wandering along the overgrown paths of project management. The ideas set forth in The Human Factor must come from within, and only then can one be prepared to read this book. Otherwise

    With these thoughts, I began reading the book, discovering how strongly the words of its authors intersect with my inner sensations. And what was my surprise to know that the first edition of the book was published in 1987. And all the basic research was carried out in the late 70s. Fine. It turns out the answer was before a crowd of researchers rushed to look for him in the completely opposite direction.

    Peopleware is absolutely indispensable for reading to both leaders and advanced developers, those who perceive themselves as thinking creatures involved in the creative process. And it is not necessary that this process be associated with the construction of software systems.

    Also popular now: