Managing the Unmanageable

Managing the Unmanageable provides guidance for software development managers and leaders who need to build and maintain productive engineering teams. The book draws from decades of industry experience to present frameworks for hiring, motivating, and leading programmers. The authors break down the essential skills and practices required to manage technical teams through concrete examples and actionable advice. They address common challenges like dealing with difficult personalities, conducting performance reviews, and fostering innovation while meeting business objectives. The content is organized into clear sections that progress from recruiting and onboarding through day-to-day management and career development. Each chapter includes real-world scenarios, checklists, and templates that managers can apply directly to their work. At its core, this book illuminates the human side of software development and positions effective management as a balance between technical competence and leadership ability. The authors make a case for treating programming talent as a precious resource that must be carefully cultivated.

Readers found this book offers practical advice for managing software developers, with specific tools, templates, and techniques. Many appreciated the comprehensive reference tables, checklists, and real-world examples drawn from the authors' experiences. Liked: - Clear frameworks for interviewing and hiring developers - Detailed guidance on onboarding and team motivation - Rules of thumb and quick references for common management scenarios - Useful appendices and templates Disliked: - Some sections feel repetitive - Content could be condensed - Writing style can be dry - Limited coverage of remote team management - Some recommendations seem dated One reader noted: "The interview questions alone were worth the price." Another mentioned: "Too focused on traditional workplace structures rather than modern distributed teams." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (682 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (164 ratings) Safari Books Online: 4.3/5

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📚 The book draws on the authors' combined 80+ years of software development and management experience, including their work at companies like Apple, Gracenote, and Pixar. 🔍 A key concept in the book is "POGIL" - People, Objectives, Goals, Impediments, and Logistics - a framework the authors developed for conducting effective one-on-one meetings with programmers. 💡 Co-author Mickey W. Mantle worked directly with Steve Jobs during his time at Pixar, contributing to the development of breakthrough computer animation technology. 🌟 The book includes a unique "Programming Rules of Thumb" collection, gathered from over 150 programming managers worldwide. 📊 The authors conducted extensive research showing that 80% of programming managers had no formal management training before being promoted to their positions, which helped shape the book's practical approach.