Rating: 
Summary: lot's of info, little insight, nothing quantitative
Review: "Secrets of.." reflects a lot of work by the four authors. Unfortunately a lot of information is repeated throughout several chapters, which make reading the book from front to end a bit strenuous. While the collection of data is impressive and the message is clear, the book lacks what I expected from it: a quantitative yardstick to evaluate the players in the software products market and the software service companies.
Rating: 
Summary: good insights into why software fails
Review: A must read for everyone who is interested to find real life examples of successful software companies as well as those who failed. I especally enjoyed reading the chapter where it explains why projects fail at such high percentage.
Rating: 
Summary: I Expected More from Mc Kinsey
Review: As I read through the book, I kept waiting for the authors to unveil a secret to software success. As I reached the halfway point it occurred to me that there would be none. At least not for anyone that is already in the business. To set expectations, this book would be better suited to a reader from outside the industry. For these readers, this well-written report adeptly summarizes knowledge gained from previously printed materials and personal interviews with the people that matter. Unfortunately, this access may have come at a price. The authors gloss over failures and accent the positive moves by these companies to such an extent that the reader may come away with a success-biased view of the software development business.
Rating:
Summary: I Expected More from Mc Kinsey
Review: As I read through the book, I kept waiting for the authors to unveil a secret to software success. As I reached the halfway point it occurred to me that there would be none. At least not for anyone that is already in the business. To set expectations, this book would be better suited to a reader from outside the industry. For these readers, this well-written report adeptly summarizes knowledge gained from previously printed materials and personal interviews with the people that matter. Unfortunately, this access may have come at a price. The authors gloss over failures and accent the positive moves by these companies to such an extent that the reader may come away with a success-biased view of the software development business.
Rating:
Summary: Only OK, but little else out there
Review: For such a critical area of business there are very few good books written on the software industry. 'Secrets' gives some annecdotal insights, a decent point-of-view, but is by no means a great overview of the industry. It very much feels like this book was thrown together by a team and lacked editorial or conceptual focus. Nonetheless, it deserves a relative four stars because there is nothing else better (if you know of something, please email me antonow@yahoo.com.
Rating:
Summary: Modicum of Information and Weak Analysis
Review: I am moderately familiar with the literature on software projects (e.g., Steve McConnell's Software Project Survival Guide) and business success (e.g., Collins and Porras', Built to Last). "Secrets" tries to merge the knowledge of both disciplines, and comes up short. Its greatest strength lies in distinguishing between and describing in some depth the authors' views on the different kinds of software companies (mass products, enterprise solutions, and professional services). Its greatest weaknesss lies in committing the "common characteristics" analysis identified as "flawed" in Built to Last, p 13-15 (1997) (100 percent correlation between successful companies and having desks means having desks is a success factor). "Secrets" adequately describes the conditions that its primary conduits (Navision, SAP, Intershop, Platinum) believe contributed to their successes. It is less obvious that these conditions, if copied, would increase the probability of success for any given company. The reader would surely be better off reading "Built to Last", then following up with Software Project Survival, Peopleware (DeMarco, Lister), and Principles of Software Engineering Management (Tom Gilb) for starters. The right software product, software service, clients, and market couldn't hurt . . .
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing collection of insights and really great reading
Review: I was really impressed by this book. An amazingly global collection, real insights, well summed up. Must read, also highly relevant for internet entrepreneurs.
Rating:
Summary: good for individuals not in information technology
Review: if you are in information technology and "get the business", then avoid this book... otherwise, look into it... great true stories on how software companies grow organically and rapidly in a business that has revolutionized the way we work and communicate daily. this book is also very beneficial for cio's just entering the "arena" and are in need of some motivation and direction. enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: A great analysis of today's software industry
Review: If you work in software, then you MUST read 'Secrets of Software Success'. Its analysis of the factors influencing software company performance is both rigorous and entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: I expect better content from McKinsey folks..
Review: Overall this is an adequate book for the title. However, coming from McKinsey folks, then...... hmmm.... The writing is a little sloppy and some of the analysis are not really insights. There ought to be more daring predictions at the end of the book from the authors... I suggest the authors to create an updated edition NOW since things are changing so much so fast in the software industry.
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