“Jim Highsmith is one of a few modern writers who are helping us understand the new nature of work in the knowledge economy.”

—Rob Austin, Assistant Professor, Harvard Business School

“This is the project management book weve all been waiting forthe book that effectively combines Agile methods and rigorous project management. Not only does this book help us make sense of project management in this current world of iterative, incremental Agile methods, but its an all-around good read!”

—Lynne Ellen, Sr. VP and CIO, DTE Energy

“Finally a book that reconciles the passion of the Agile Software movement with the needed disciplines of project management. Jims book has provided a service to all of us.”

—Neville R(oy) Singham, CEO, ThoughtWorks, Inc.

“The world of product development is becoming more dynamic and uncertain. Many managers cope by reinforcing processes, adding documentation, or further honing costs. This isnt working. Highsmith brilliantly guides us into an alternative that fits the times.”

—Preston G. Smith, principal, New Product Dynamics/coauthor, Developing Products in Half the Time

Now, one of the fields leading experts brings together all the knowledge and resources you need to use APM in your next project. Jim Highsmith shows why APM should be in every managers toolkit, thoroughly addressing the questions project managers raise about Agile approaches. He systematically introduces the five-phase APM framework, then presents specific, proven tools for every project participant. Coverage includes:

• Six principles of Agile Project Management
• How to capitalize on emerging new product development technologies
• Putting customers at the center of your project, where they belong
• Creating adaptive teams that respond quickly to changes in your projects “ecosystem”
• Which projects will benefit from APMand which wont
• APMs five phases: Envision, Speculate, Explore, Adapt, Close
• APM practices, including the Product Vision Box and Project Data Sheet
• Leveraging your PMI skills in Agile environments
• Scaling APM to larger projects and teams
• For every project manager, team leader, and team member

Going beyond software development, this book describes how a variety of projects can be better managed by applying agile principles and practices. The author outlines the five phases in the agile process management framework—envision, speculate, explore, adapt, and close—then identifies specific practices for each phase that align with the agile values and guiding principles.
Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Despite a plethora of agile literature, no text has addressed the intricacies of managing projects with agility--until now. This book addresses the leading non-published aspect of agile methods: project management. Part of the Agile Software Development series, this book contains a handy set of agile tools and instruction on bridging the gap from traditional software project management.

JIM HIGHSMITH is Director, Agile Project Management Practice, and Fellow, Business Technology Council at Cutter Consortium. He is also a Member of the Software Development Productivity Council, Flashline, Inc. Highsmith authored Adaptive Software Development, which won the prestigious Jolt award for excellence, and Agile Software Development Ecosystems (Addison Wesley). A recognized leader in the Agile movement, he co-authored the Agile Manifesto and co-founded the Agile Alliance.

Preface.

Introduction.

1. The Agile Revolution.

2. Guiding Principles: Customers and Products.

3. Guiding Principles: Leadership-Collaboration Management.

4. An Agile Project Management Model.

5. The Envision Phase.

6: The Speculate Phase.

7. The Explore Phase.

8. The Adapt and Close Phases.

9. Building Large Adaptive Teams.

10. Reliable Innovation.

Bibliography.

Index.