[Book Cover]

Journey of the Software Professional: The Sociology of Computer Programming, 1/e

Luke Hohmann, ObjectSpace, Inc., Irving, Texas

Published October, 1996 by Prentice Hall PTR (ECS Professional)

Copyright 1997, 454 pp.
Cloth
ISBN 0-13-236613-4


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Summary

A comprehensive guide to the software development process that will help software developers at every stage of their career: improving personal performance, learning to work well in a team, and managing to create an environment where others can be most effective.

Features


Addresses the psychological and sociological aspects of software development, presenting a thorough model of individual and collective software problem-solving behavior, and practical techniques for enhancing the process.
Covers the structures, processes and outcomes common to most software development projects, and how to improve them.
Presents ideas on using tools and training more effectively, and on improving the performance of teams. Shows how to build on your personal and management successes, and avoid the most common errors.


Table of Contents
PART I.

    1. Setting the Foundation.

      Problem Solving: Descriptions and Prescriptions. Cognitive Models. Benefits of Cognitive Models. Method. Benefits of Methods. Comparing Methods and Cognitive Models. Structures, Processes, and Outcomes: An Overview. Process. Linking Methods to Cognitive Models. Process Leveling and Experience. The Descriptive Benefits of Process Leveling. Process Leveling, Stepwise Refinement, and Opportunistic Design. Outcome. Preparing Outcomes for Understanding. Lessons From Architecture. Structure. The Structure-Process-Outcome Framework. The SPO Franewire in Action. The Critical Role of Feedback. Review.

    2. The Integrated Framework.

      Values. Personality. Goals. The Integrated Framework. Conflict and Tension Among Components of the Framework. Review.

PART II.
    3. Fortifying the Foundation.

      Create Structures and Processes to Achieve Outcomes. Practice Future Perfect Thinking. Review Early and Often. Kinds of Reviews. Formal Review Structures. Grow Your Experience. Use Multiple Models. Generate Alternatives. Differentiate.

    4. Understanding Yourself.

      Clarify Values. Understand Your Personality. The Kirton Adaption- Innovation Inventory. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Relationship Between The KAI and MBTI. The Intersection of Personality and Values. Goals. Setting Goals. Organizing Goals. Know What You Are Good At.

    5. Working Smarter.

      Use Tools Wisely. What Is A Tool? Impact of Tools in the SPO Framework. Limitations and Dangers of Tools. Tools for Software Development. Use A Project Notebook. What Is A Project Notebook? What Should It Contain? How to Use A Project Notebook. Managing Time. Structures, Processes and Outcomes for Time Management. Working With Support Staff.

    6. Training.

      What Is Training? Training In the SPO Framework. Self-Learning. A Competency Framework For Self-Learning. Breadth Vs. Depth In The Competency Framework. Learning Style and Delivery Mechanisms.
PART III.
    7. Development Teams and The SPO Framework.

      A Brief Word On Size. Methods And Teams. Beyond Methods: Group Activities. Organizational Theories. What Is An “Organization?” Organizational Interdependence. Rationality. Topologies. Summary. Group Processes. Identification and Distribution. Coordination and Integration. Process Leveling In Teams. Collective Mind and GroupThink. The Impact of Individual Ability. Other Aspects Of Process. Summary. Outcomes. The Creation Of Shared Outcomes. The Meaning Of Shared Outcomes. Reducing Ambiguity and Equivocality In Shared Outcomes. Managing Shared Outcomes. Structure. Essential Structures: System Architecture & Topology. The SPO Framework In Teams. Methods, Teams, and Topologies. Multiple Integrated Frameworks. Timing. Feedback Loops and Crosstalk. Review.

    8. An Integrated Framework For Teams.

      Values. Culture. Goals. Strategy. Corporate Knowledge. The Integrated Framework. Linking Individuals and Teams. Power and Politics. Summary.
PART IV.
    9. Interpersonal Relations.

      Reasonable Persons. Pulling, Not Pushing. Developing Trust. Impact Of Trust. The Johari Window. Interaction Styles. Increasing The Arena Of Trust.

    10. Communication.

      The Creation Of Shared Outcomes. Modeling Communication As Messages. What Is Meaningful Communication? Communication Structures. Communication Processes. Communication Outcomes. Changes Over Time. Know Your Notation. Standards and Guidelines. Status Reports. Effective Meetings. A Model For Effective Meetings. Project Repositories.

    11. Fortifying The Team.

      Values. Culture. Norms. Rituals. Stories and Symbols. Shared Language. How to Influence Culture. Goals.

    12. Organizational Engineering.

      Coupling and Cohesion. Software Coupling Revisited. Three Types Of Organizational Coupling. Benefits Of Loose Coupling. Drawbacks Of Loose Coupling. Achieving Loose Coupling. Cohesive Components and Teams. Determining Cohesion. Structural, Procedural, and Outcome Cohesion. Being Cohesive. Complexity and Variety. System Architecture and Organizational Topology. System Architecture. Traditional Topologies. Organization Paradigms: Working Within the Topology. Addressing Size and Growth. Putting It All Together. Roles. Implicit Vs. Explicit Roles. Roles in Support of System Architecture. Roles Associated with Teamwork. Problems Associated With Roles. Structure As Process. The Impact of Structure. More or Less Structure. How Much Structure? The Dangers of Too Much Structure.

    13. Technological and Organizational Change.

      General Observations on Change. Innovations. Innovation Structures. The Innovation Evaluation Process. Tools, Techniques, and Interrelated Outcomes. The S-Shaped Curve of Adoption. Making Innovations Happen. Reorganizations. Team Lifecycles. Entrances and Exits. New Organizational Topologies.

    14. Team Oriented Training.

      Training Benefits. When Is Training Needed? Breadth Vs. Depth In Teams. What to Train. Approaches To Training.
PART V.
    15. Working As A Professional.

      Job Mobility. Be A Good Follower. Helping colleagues. Avoid Office Politics. Office Etiquette. Take Care of Yourself. Eat In Moderation. Exercise Regularly. Work As Comfortably As Possible. Take Vacations. Get A Reasonable Amount of Sleep. Know When To Say No. Take Care Of Your Relationships.

    16. Avoiding Bad Working Environments.

      Demonstrate Your Skills. Evaluate the Product Release Strategy. Have A Defined Role. Examine the Turnover Rate. Examine the Opportunity for Advancement. Are the Big Three Practiced? Review Outstanding Bug Reports. Interview Your Direct Manager. Talk With Other Developers.

    17. Working In A Poor Environment.

      Is It Really That Bad? Work To Improve. Maintain Your Network. Control What You Can Control. Improve Your Skills. Use A Bomb File. Burn Bridges Carefully.

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