The Art of Agile Development - Book Reactions

Here are a few reactions to The Art of Agile Development by James Shore and Shane Warden, O'Reilly, 2007.

It's a deceptively big book. Just over 400 pages and a small type face, so there are a lot of words. The type size means long lines - sixteen or eighteen words per line - which I find a strain to read.

I like the Self-Assessment quiz. I remember doing it on a prior project. You answer questions in each of five areas - Thinking, Collaborating, Releasing, Planning, Developing. 75 out of 100 or less means "immediate improvement required". But the questions are not equally weighted. My favourite is in "collaborating" -

Do programmers ever make guesses rather than getting answers to questions?

... and you lose 75 marks if you answer Yes.

And I get quoted in it, taking a view on how to run stand-up meetings. I've never been so proud :)