Book review: Managing Humans by Michael Lopp
Managing Humans: Biting and Humorous Tales of a Software Engineering Manager
The book consists of three parts. In part one Michael Lopp figures out some general means or capabilities for managers to survive more or less critical situations. His writing style is sometimes a bit rough or direct but nevers lacks respect for the people he's talking about. A common pattern in his book, is that he tries to identify roles or types of persons and gives them a name and face. So you will learn in part one about Fez, the old warhorse who made himself indispensable by writing code only he understands. You also read about when to say no to someone and when to use a mandate that was given to you by the senior management.
Part two deals with thw pros and cons of processes in software development and some events that can constrain or enhance the process of creating high quality software. Especially enlightening for me was the chapter about "Malcolm Events", small details of issues or specification which probably never get documented but can lead to great damage or delay in late phases of the release process because nobody paid attention to those things.
The last part of "Managing Humans" is titled "Versions of You" and describes some more personal aspects of working as a manager in software development. Especially insightful is his description, how he scans job applications and what he reads and what not.
My conclusion is that this book is worth reading for anyone working in software development, not only managers. One small drawback is, that some of his social situations depict american company culture and are not that simple to translate to work life in Europe. But that doesn't impair the entertaining inside out look you get on those strange human beings called managers.
PS: To read more of Michael Lopp try his Blog or follow @rands on Twitter.