The Mythical Man-Month, or How Software Systems Are Created

Few books on project management can be called as significant as “The Mythical Man-Month.” The mix of real software development examples, opinions, and reflections creates a vivid picture of managing complex projects. These essays are based on Brooks’ fifty years of experience as a project manager at IBM System/360, and then at OS/360.

The first edition of the book was published 45 years ago, the second edition - 25 years ago. New methodologies emerge, new programming languages appear, the number of processors grows, but this book remains relevant. Why?

Half a century later, we continue to repeat the mistakes that Brooks described. Some topics raised in the book may seem outdated, but that’s just an illusion. The fundamental issues behind them are still relevant today.

It’s important to know your past in order to understand where the software development industry is heading. That’s why, after 45 years, we still read Brooks.

Much has changed in the world, yet nine women still cannot bear a child in one month. ;)