This book is volume one in a four-volume set. It focuses on the theme that high-quality software demands high-quality management. Weinberg tackles the first requirement for developing quality software: learning to think correctly about problems, solutions, and quality itself.

He also sets guidelines that stimulate the kind of thinking needed. Managers need to serve as both planners and catalysts within the organization: to plan what to do, observe what happens, and act decisively to bring the actual closer to the planned. Numerous examples illustrate areas that can be managed to prevent a crisis, or to keep one from getting worse.