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What is the purpose of this book?
This book is primarily intended to be enjoyable and provide you with plenty of food for thought for your daily work. Through small experiments and tests, you'll join me on an interesting and sometimes surprising journey of discovery. In short, entertaining, and easy-to-understand texts, you'll learn important background information and connections between the phenomena you observe. Finally, I've compiled numerous tips to help you strategically apply your new insights to the success of your projects. I also hope this book will spark your curiosity and encourage you to delve even deeper into the fascinating world of the "human side of project success" with the help of the recommended reading.
Who is this book for?
Anyone working in software development, whether as a programmer, software architect, project manager, or development manager, will find interesting suggestions. You will quickly discover, however, that the ideas in this book are versatile and applicable in many different fields. While they primarily relate to project work in software development, they can easily be transferred to other technical professions. Many aspects can also be applied to private life, as they are fundamentally human and therefore independent of professional specialization.
Tips for reading
The order in which you read the chapters is entirely up to you. However, I recommend reading the section "What You Always Wanted to Know About the Brain" first, and in the order I've suggested. This section provides helpful background information for all the other chapters. The chapters are always structured according to the same format. Each chapter begins with a small experiment or a short test that allows you to experience and discover interesting phenomena firsthand. Then, I briefly describe my own experiences, explain the underlying principles, establish connections, and draw conclusions. Finally, you'll find a selection of tips and suggestions for everyday practice.
Pictures
You might be surprised by the very simple images. There are two main reasons for this. First, it's easier for the brain to focus on the essentials when the essentials are clearly depicted. Multimedia gimmicks may be stylish, but they aren't always effective. Second, this way anyone can easily draw these images on a flipchart. You don't have to be an artist to support explanations with meaningful visuals.
Chapter overview
The following overview briefly summarizes the content and questions addressed in the chapters.
The human side
This chapter primarily serves to provide a general overview of the human side of software projects and addresses the following questions:
- Why is the consistent development and utilization of diverse human potential so important for project success?
- How can improvements be made to ensure the sustainable development, use, and preservation of human capabilities?
What you always wanted to know about the brain
This is about our most important tool: the brain. Using it correctly is THE decisive factor for success. Understanding how our brain works protects us from mistakes and opens up new, sometimes surprising perspectives. You will find answers to the following questions:
- What is so extraordinary about the human brain?
- Why do we need a brain?
- What performance data does the brain have?
- Can people be objective?
- How does our brain filter information?
- Why do we usually act and think without reason?
- What are the implications of these findings for the selection of tools, methods, and process design?
People in the team
The most important success factor for a project lies in the ability and willingness of people to collaborate in a trusting and creative manner. The interplay between people with different perspectives, work styles, and personalities is crucial. In this section, we ask ourselves:
- Are we communication-averse?
- Why can a lack of communication be "deadly"?
- How can we improve communication within the team?
- What types of people are on the team?
- Why are teams with different personality types successful?
- How and why are teams usually more creative than individuals?
People and Thought
Since technically minded people already believe they think highly analytically, this section focuses primarily on the intuitive and subconscious aspects of our thinking. You will discover how much this hidden part of thinking influences our perception and actions. The following questions will be considered:
- How do spontaneous ideas arise?
- How can you foster your creativity?
- Why are we so blind to our own shortcomings?
- How and why does our perception deceive us?
- How can you avoid perceptual errors?
- How do these findings influence the selection of tools, methods, and process design?
People and tools
Choosing and using the right tools is crucial for project success. All tools we use in software development should support our thinking in the best possible way. This starts with simple things like tables and chairs and extends to CASE tools or integrated tool suites. We address the following questions:
- How can you improve your workplace?
- How do you choose the right tools?
- How important is continuing education?
- What advantages do graphical modeling and programming tools offer?
People in the project
How effectively people can use their energy to contribute to project success depends on how skillfully they focus their efforts through communication and how well they avoid energy loss due to stress. This section seeks answers to the following questions:
- When does communication become a stress factor?
- Why is communication culture important?
- Why do we speak with four tongues?
- Why do we hear with four ears?
- How can communication be designed successfully?
- Do you have symptoms of stress?
- What happens as a result of stress?
- How do you deal with stress?
Food for thought in a nutshell
In this section, you will find a concise summary of the thought-provoking points as a brief reminder.
Book recommendations
This book is intended to provide food for thought. My aim is to awaken your curiosity about the human side of project success. If this has been achieved, you will find selected book recommendations in this section that delve deeper into and complement the topics covered in this book.
Summary
The key to project success lies in people. Therefore, understanding how they think, feel, and act is invaluable. Maintaining and developing their skills and respecting their needs are also essential to sound business practices. Only those who see people primarily as human beings, rather than reducing them to a cost factor or a resource, will be able to recognize and leverage the human element of project success.
