Review By: Mary Ann Overbaugh
02/01/2008This book is intended for all who want to understand how to manage a budget by focusing on the involved factors and the thought process that goes into developing a fairly close cost estimate. Drawing from his years in the business, Jones is able to point out pitfalls and add considerations that less experience people might overlook. That's why I think this book should be in everyone's bookcase, if they have budgeting responsibilities.

Jones may be slightly over-optimistic in his approach, but he presents many ways to attack the initial first cut, thus hopefully creating open dialogue that can lead to crafting a plan with which everyone can live. Jones emphasizes that it’s better to consider every facet and then cut back though prioritization and consensus.

Jones opens his own thought process to us as he tackles each chapter. He demonstrates the breadth of this topic and how correctly setting a budget size is the best start for any project.

If you have any responsibility for managing a software development budget and nailing the costs down has not been easy, this book is for you.

Back in the '90s, I was fortunate enough to attend one of Capers Jones' presentations. Since I am not a math wiz, I was completely taken by the facile way Jones was able to reduce hypothesis to fact. Through bending and shaping the numbers, he told a different story on each slide of his presentation.

This book tells stories in which he deals with all aspects of cost estimates as it applies to different software development methods--from CMMI, software function points, to the soft side of managing--to get the most work from employee hours. There is example after example of carefully thought-out tables, graphs, metrics and weighting factors, and many rules-of-thumb to help you begin your budgeting process.