To the uninitiated; Peopleware (the book) is the bible of software development management. Its short, to the point and after more then 20 years later still very relevant. If you're high up the corperate ladder of some software building business and you havent read Peopleware, buy it now. I'll wait here.
HURRY!
(Here I'll help you:
@ Amazon.com,
@ Computercollectief)
To sumarize:
- It tells you how to deal with office space.
- It shows you how to optimize developer cycles.
- It shows you how you can keep your people happy.
"Dude! if this is such a great book then why is it considered harmful?".
Well, it has a bit of depressing after effect on the people in the trenches; the actual software developers. Because after reading this book, you're eyes will be opened. You will be able to see the corperate dysfunction in all its evil glory. And worst of all, you can never go back to that blisfull ignorant state. This book will make you angry, I'm sure of it.
I've been talking (and getting angry) about this with a good friend of mine for a while now, swapping war stories of how bad the work enviroment has been and what needs to change to get motivation and job satisfaction back. The problem is that sooner or later you will go "fuckem" and end up becomming a passionless corperate drone (or worse; quit). As soon as this happens the company has lost. It cannot be repaired. Every attempt will look like disception. Its a trust issue. If the trust is gone, its not comming back. Its like finding out your (boy|girl)friend has been cheating on you. How can you trust them again? Its just not going to happen. You need to catch it before this happens.
Reading peopleware excelerates this process. It will make you go "aargh! fuckem" a lot quicker. Because after reading this book, you will actually know how to do your managers job. You don't of course, but this book will make you think you can.
Thats why its considered harmful.
Before you say anything; I'm not preaching that you should just tough it out and stick by your employer whatever happens. If you're not happy at work then talk about it as soon as possible. And if that doesn't work or nothing ever changes, leave damnit!
