Rating: 
Summary: A Provocative Management Novel by "Peopleware" Co-Author
Review: ". . . insightful business principles for team-based project management . . ." -- John Sculley From prolific and influential consultant and author Tom DeMarco comes a project management novel that vividly illustrates the principles -- and the outright absurdities -- that affect the productivity of a software development team. With his trademark wit set free in the novel format, DeMarco centers the plot around the development of six software products. Mr. Tompkins, a manager downsized from a giant telecommunications company, divides the huge staff of developers at his disposal into eighteen teams -- three for each of the products. The teams are of different sizes and use different methods, and they compete against each other . . . and against an impossible deadline. With these teams, and with the help of numerous consultants who come to his aid, Mr. Tompkins tests the project management principles he has gathered over a lifetime. Key chapters end with journal entries that form the core of the eye-opening approaches to management illustrated in this entertaining novel. Read an interview with Tom DeMarco at http://www.dorsethouse.com/news/inttdm.html.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Entertaining, and Educational
Review: "The Deadline: A Novel about Project Management", is a delightful book especially when compared to the dry, heavy feel of a text. I think that DeMarco uses a technique that more teachers and professors should use, as opposed to a straight lecture style. He lightly touches on most of the key aspects of project management. The story makes it easy to read without stopping to say, "Hey, I deal with this all day at work, why would I want to read about it." Another interesting and useful feature of the book, is the journal kept by the main character. DeMarco cleverly sums up each chapter, and hence each lesson, by having the main character write entries in a journal. These lessons are generally found at the end of each chapter making them easy to find and reread at one's leisure, or as needed.
Rating:
Summary: ReSOE
Review: This book follows a project manager (Webster Tompkins) from the time he becomes a "ReSOE" (Released to Seek Opportunities Elsewhere) from the Big Telephone and Telegraph copmpany. Tompkins is made an offer he can't refuse to take the roll of project manager of a seemingly un-doable software development task. Tom DeMarco manages to squeeze a tremendous amount or project management advice into this 300 page novel. I was hooked by the end of the first chapter. This is a great read for anyone who is tired of reading management handbooks or software development manuals, but still wants to stay in the same area, like a lawyer reading the new Grisham novel. It's a perfect book for nightime or airplane reading.
Rating: 
Summary: A novel of IT project management per Goldratt's Goal
Review: This is perhaps the only management novel for IT. In the vein of "the Goal" by Goldratt, Tom DeMarco preaches the gospel of good project management. The ideas on staffing, conflict resolution and managing to deadlines are very helpful. The challenge is that the novel format could and should provide insight into the conflicts dealing with situations that are not ideal. In reality, we are left with great ideas, but a lost opportunity on the difficulties of implementing them.
Rating:
Summary: Project Management Easy Read
Review: I am an independent software developer and I enjoyed reading this book. Before reading the book, I could sense something is wrong with a particular project. After reading the book, I am able to put what's wrong into words. I particularly agree with these two ideas:
1. one of the most important things in managing a project is to manage the people in the project.
2. a jelled team is a valuable product of a project.
Rating:
Summary: This book has some terrific information and is terrific fun
Review: The premise of the novel is silly, but a lovely fantasy, yet it doesn't get in the way of the real-world problems that the hero manages to solve on his way to meeting an outrageously impossible deadline. The suggested solutions are based on the author's dozens of years of real-world consulting in the software development industry and are very helpful, avoiding both abstruse theory (hard to apply) and cookbook-style lists of "10 steps to success" (which somehow, never quite fit your particular situation). All in all, I'd say this book is very useful, and very fun!
Rating:
Summary: A Fun Book, and its Right on the Money
Review: The difference between this book and anything else like it is that you'll actually WANT to read it. Its a fun story and you won't want to put it down. It starts out a little hokey, but please do persist. If you've ever developed software you'll immediately identify with the problems that the lead character is faced with. DeMarco gives valuable insights at the end of each chapter that alone are worth the price of the book.
Rating:
Summary: Must read for all managers
Review: Everything in this book are more than just true, they are painfully true. The stupid management practices are not limited to software development projects. Such as abusive managers, impossible due dates, bad (or non-existing) specification, deny the existence of conflicts, and more. They exist in all type of management and companies. There are plenty of data and studies to back it up - both the problems and the solutions. Read it, study it, memorize it, and implement it. It will make you the best manager ever existed and your people will follow you to end of the earth (and beyond).
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