Book
Author: Jim Highsmith
A unique perspective on the history of software — from someone who made it
The history of software development is more than a history of technology — it’s a history of human creativity and ingenuity.
Jim Highsmith was one of the people that made that history. In this book he looks back at more than fifty years in software, reflecting on the evolution of the discipline from the “wild west” of the late 1960s to the age of Agile in the twenty-first century
As we grapple with questions about the future of software development, Jim Highsmith’s compelling stories and reflections provide us with an essential insight into how to navigate change and remain adaptive and inventive in an industry that continues to shape the way the world lives and works.
Explore four eras of software engineering history
Gain an insight into the emergence of the Agile movement
Discover the figures that shaped the way we practice software engineering today
Get an insight into the career of one of the leading figures in modern software
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I’ve always felt that understanding history is important, because it’s hard to understand where we are unless you understand the path that we took to get here. Jim’s memoir is an entertaining and astute odyssey through this history.
I’ve always felt that understanding history is important, because it’s hard to understand where we are unless you understand the path that we took to get here. Jim’s memoir is an entertaining and astute odyssey through this history.
About the author
Jim Highsmith has nearly 60 years experience in the software industry. For the last 30 years he has been a leader in the Agile software development community and was one of the signatories to the Agile manifesto in 2001. He retired from Thoughtworks in 2021 where he was an Executive Consultant.
Jim is the author of a number of highly regarded books on software. They include:
EDGE: Value-driven Digital Transformation (2020)
Adaptive Leadership: Accelerating Enterprise Agility (2014)
Agile Project Management: Creating Innovative Products (2009)
Adaptive Software Development: A Collaborative Approach to Managing Complex Systems (2000)
In 2002 he was awarded the prestigious Jolt Award, while in 2005 he received the international Stevens Award for outstanding contributions to systems development.
