Book cover of Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams

Book description

Demarco and Lister demonstrate that the major issues of software development are human, not technical. Their answers aren't easy--just incredibly successful. New second edition features eight all-new chapters. Softcover. Previous edition: c1987. DLC: Management.

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Peopleware as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This is the oldest book on my list and is the most underrated. It describes, with serious rigour and detail, how to run more effective software projects and teams.

Most of this advice has been ignored by most of the industry for most of the time but it’s a big part of the reason I’ve worked from home for 14 years and am as productive as I am today.

If the first three books felt too disconnected from software delivery, Peopleware provides the link.

The general theme is to highlight clearly ridiculous practices that prevent people from doing good work, suggesting that they are stopped. You should read this book to find out the original story of 10x developers or why you shouldn’t have a dress code.

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