AntiPatterns and Patterns in Software Configuration Management

After reading these guys' first book (AntiPatterns - which I liked a lot) I was hoping to find this one as much fun to read, and as insightful. I also knew that, as a SW pro, I needed to get smarter on SCM (I'd been avoiding the topic "successfully" and faking it for too long). So I figured it was a no-brainer... As with the first book, I resonated with the material and got a lot from it (I liked the Domino Effect AntiPattern, which my company could be the poster-child for). But this book isn't as entertaining/fun as the first one, and I don't think it was edited as carefully. But it's still great for SW pros who know they aren't really as up on SCM as they should be and just can't get through massive booring "textbooks" that they bought and are still on their bookshelf (I have at least three). It's entertaining enough that you'll get through it, and your sure to see some SCM mistakes you're making or have made and want to avoid. I think their last book was a tough one to follow, and they picked a really tough subject. So my recommendation -- buy it, and read it... it'll help you. Just don't expect it to be as much fun as their first AntiPatters book.

This is an interesting, informative book on potential problems and pitfalls to be encountered in the wild world of Software Configuration Management! For those who want a step by step guide to implementing SCM at your company, look elsewhere, but if you want to know why your SCM initiatives are failing, or what problems lie ahead on the road, this is the read for you!