Libra: Learning and Inquiry-Based Reuse Adoption

"Could software reuse play an important role in your organization? For over two decades, a dedicated community of software engineering researchers and practitioners have wrestled with the challenges of introducing systematic reuse in large-scale software development. Successful systematic reuse relies on a set of learning disciplines that can transform IT-intensive groups and companies into knowledge creating organizations. These disciplines require shifts in fundamental, implicit beliefs about software technology, knowledge sharing, and organizational realities. Without a grasp of these underlying dynamics, reuse advocates may actually strengthen resistance to reuse initiatives in the engineering culture of software organizations, while rational concerns about cost justifications or technology transfer issues fall secondary. In the groundbreaking book, four experts with broad experience in reuse research, methods, technologies, and practice present a unique approach to reuse assessment and adoption, which directly addresses these challenges. LIBRA offers a radically new, inquiry-based approach grounded in practical techniques for assessing an organization's readiness for reuse, as well as potential barriers. These techniques integrate reuse concepts with a diverse set of other disciplines, including organizational learning, dramatic theory, and belief mapping to affirm the critical role of culture, belief, and attitude in engineering success. LIBRA is essential reading for software project managers, strategic planners, CTOs and technology transfer agents, or working software engineers; and especially any advocate attempting to introduce reuse practices within an IT-intensive business setting. The multidisciplinary nature of this practical reference will also interest change agents in non-software fields, such as knowledge management and organizational development; and can serve as a graduate-level text for software engineering or management specialty courses. For a sneak peek at the front matter www.ieee.org/organizations/pubs/press/Chapters/BailinFM.pdf or a look at the first chapter, www.ieee.org/organizations/pubs/press/Chapters/BailinCh01.pdf" Sponsored by: IEEE Computer Society