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Average Customer Rating:

A must read for Software development	Customer Rating:
This is one of the key books to read for software development. This book provides the needed background for becoming a team lead/architect. The book is well written. I have had mine for years and I use it as a constant reference.

Applies today as much as it ever did...	Customer Rating:
While this book may be old, it is one of the tried and true books of project management. I recall this book being standard material for my IT classes as far back as 2000! I still keep it on my bookshelf and read occasionally. A must have for any developer or those who interact with developers in some way...

Essential Understanding of Software Development

Customer Rating:

Like everyone else who has reviewed this book, I give high praises both to the topics in the book and to Steve McConnell's handling of the topics. Not only are the topics extremely well researched and credited, but all areas of the software development life cycle are covered. This is not just one authors pontification of "one way to do things". It completely covers the various software development methodologies and thoroughly discusses, pros / cons, strengths / weaknesses, pinnacles / pitfalls, use / non-use, of each methodology. These methodologies are all focused around delivery and perceived timeliness of delivery of software projects. No other book on this subject comes close to completeness or understanding of the software development life cycle and the development efforts needed in order to complete a software task. Rapid Development is required reading for all developers, IT managers, and software project managers ( even many executives could greatly benefit from this book ). If you have not read this book, you do not have as full of an understanding of the development process as you think.

Excellent Book on the Software Development Process

Customer Rating:

"Rapid Development" is an excellent book that covers the software development process. While the book covers a rapid development strategy, there is great value to be found in the book's coverage of a wide range of software development topics, such as estimating, teamwork and risk management, among other topics. This book, in my opinion, represents the gold standard in software development reference books. Anyone involved in developing software should add this book to their library.

A Must Read For Anybody Interested In The Dynamics Of Software Engineering

Customer Rating:

This book is quite long, but worth every page. As a programmer, one usually gets focused on that - programming. There are however, several dynamics at play at any given software development project: customers, unstable requirements, risks, teamwork, tools, etc. This book presents several fundamental principles, strategies, philosophies and mistakes and than goes to present a set of very important best practices. I highly recommend it!