In this book, the authors share their unprecedented five-year investigation into the dynamics of contemporary teams. Students will learn how to cut through the confusion and disorientation they're bound to encounter in most large-scale development projects.

Acknowledgments. Introduction. I. CHECK IN. 1. The Elements of Check In. Overcoming Distance.The Check In Protocol.The Check Out Protocol.The Passer Protocol.Connection.Problem Behaviors.Patterns Synergistic with Check In.2. Check In Patterns and Protocols. Pattern: Check In.Additional Discussion of Check In.Pattern: Check Out.Pattern: Passer.Pattern: Connection.3. Check In Antipatterns. Antipattern: Too Emotional.Antipattern: No Hurt Feelings.Antipattern: Wrong Tolerance.4. Other Patterns in the Check In Family. Pattern: Team = Product.Pattern: Self-Care.Pattern: Thinking and Feeling.Pattern: Pretend.Pattern: The Greatness Cycle.II. DECIDER. 5. The Elements of Decider. Other Decision-Related Elements.Antipatterns.6. Decider Patterns and Protocols. Pattern: Decider.Analysis of Decider.Pattern: Resolution.Pattern: Work with Intention.Pattern: Ecology of Ideas.7. Decider Antipatterns. Antipattern: Resolution Avoidance.Antipattern: Oblivion.Antipattern: Turf.Antipattern: Boss Won't Give Power.Antipattern: Team Quackery.III. ALIGNING. 8. The Elements of Alignment. Personal and Team Alignment.9. Alignment Pattern and Protocol. Pattern: Alignment.10. Alignment Antipatterns. Antipattern: Not Enough People.Antipattern: Align Me.11. Alignment Patterns. Pattern: Personal Alignment.How and Why Alignment Works.Pattern: Investigate.Pattern: Receptivity.Pattern: Web of Commitment.Pattern: Ask for Help.IV. SHARED VISION. 12. The Elements of Shared Vision. Aspects of Shared Vision.Patterns Involved in the Shared Vision Process.13. Shared Vision Patterns and Protocols. Pattern: Shared Vision.Pattern: Metavision.Pattern: Far Vision.Pattern: Version.14. Shared Vision Antipatterns. Antipattern: Blinder.Antipattern: Technicality.Antipattern: Recoil.Antipattern: Feedback.15. The Perfection Game Pattern 3 Playing and Perfecting.V. APPENDIXES. Appendix A. The Core Lexicon. Appendix B. BootCamp Material. Appendix C. The Core Protocols V. 1.0. Index. Artwork. Authors. 0201604566T01022002

In this book, legendary "software boot camp" creators and team development pioneers Jim and Michele McCarthy introduce a breakthrough collection of techniques for transforming how software development teams behave -- and the results they can achieve. These techniques, known as "theCore," consist of patterns, antipatterns, definitions, and protocols that all team members share. Think of them as an operating system that runs on the minds of team members -- in other words, "software for your head." The McCarthys demonstrate that the behavior of a software development team maps directly to the qualities of its end product -- and show precisely how those behaviors can be changed to improve the finished system. "TheCore's" techniques are designed to support improved interpersonal connections, better collective decision-making and assignment of accountability; greater personal and team commitments to individual and shared goals; and above all, far greater support for the achievement of shared visions. For every software engineer, developer, project manager, team leader, IT manager, Web professional, and software quality specialist interested in improving the quality and timeliness of software development.