Johnson discusses methods and techniques for managing systems development, particularly for “factories” that produce business applications software. The book has eight parts: “Business System Planning,” “Directional Tools,” “Measurement,” “Motivation,” “Project Management,” “The Weakest Link,” “Productivity Tools,” and “Managing the Utility.”

This second edition begins with a general overview of strategic planning for MIS. Organizational technology scans and architecture planning are then discussed. “Directional Tools” addresses CASE strategies, 4GLs, and expert systems. “Measurement” focuses on performance and quality control measures. “Motivation” includes performance reviews and job rotation. “Project Management” speaks to project control and productivity measurement methods. “The Weakest Link” addresses response time and system availability. Prototyping, hardware/software tools, test plans, and post-implementation audits are discussed in “Productivity Tools.” “Managing the Utility” documents the results of a project to define CSFs for a data center. An appendix provides details and statistics for techniques discussed in the main body.

The book emphasizes software development. Data center operations and the business side of IT are not discussed, nor were they expected. Perhaps a quote from James Cash’s “Foreword” best describes the book: “concentrates on effective management of IT with heavy emphasis on practical insights for delivering and maintaining high quality software systems.” It is not designed as a text. It can serve the practicing professional who is looking for ways to improve the management of software development.