Tom DeMarco et al. on ADRENALINE JUNKIES AND TEMPLATE ZOMBIES

Tom DeMarco, Peter Hruschka, Tim Lister, Steve McMenamin,
James Robertson, and Suzanne Robertson -- the authors of our
new book ADRENALINE JUNKIES AND TEMPLATE ZOMBIES
-- have posted comments on the Website of their consulting firm,
The Atlantic Systems Guild:

"The so-called 'patterns movement,' has so far concentrated
entirely on patterns of the software itself. But there is another
set of patterns that we need to take account of as well: patterns
of projects and teams, the typical ways that they behave and
interact. Just as Gamma et al. deal with the technological aspect
of patterns, the Guild authors have focused on the sociological
side. If you believe, as we do, that the sociological is often as
important or even more important than the technological, then
this book may be for you. . . .

"The book identifies 86 patterns that characterize project and
team behavior. All of the patterns don't apply to your project,
but some surely will. Some of the patterns are constructive ­
they help you get meaningful work done. And other are
destructive ­ they get in your way. Like many of the patterns that
control our behavior as individuals, project behavior patterns are
often invisible. They are the unwritten rules that govern us. We
don't think about them, but we don't think to violate them either.
(Are you skeptical about the existence of such unwritten rules?
Consider then walking up to a team mate and touching his face.) . . .

"Each pattern is named (the authors have tried to choose a name
that is memorable but also fairly accurate) and numbered. There is
an iconic graphic to go with it, something to facilitate quick
association. And there is a short essay about the pattern to offer
advice about why some projects tend to fall into its particular
groove, why they need to be aware of it, and what actions may
be prescribed."

Read the authors' comments at
http://www.systemsguild.com/GuildSite/Books/ajtz.html

Read more about ADRENALINE JUNKIES AND TEMPLATE ZOMBIES:
http://www.dorsethouse.com/books/ajtz.html

. . . both pages link to a free PDF preview of the book . . .