Agile, Lean, and DevOps reading tips

This is Lean – Modig & Åhlström

Swedish authors from the Stockholm School of Economics help to simply explain the essence of Lean. Perhaps the most easily accessible book on the subject, Modig and Åhlström have wonderful insights, especially regarding flow and resource efficiency. Read our review here.

Get the book at Adlibris.

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Lencioni

Author Patrick Lencioni’s classic came out in 2002 and remains one of the better stories and methodologies for building great teams.  Trust, Conflict, Commitment, Accountability and Results.  Simple and critical read regarding team dynamics.  And read more here about our team development based on this book.

Get the book at Adlibris.

Sooner Safer Happier – Smart

Auther Jonathan Smart introduces his change outcome idea for agile/iterative work. The real goal is BETTER VALUE SOONER SAFER HAPPIER. This is what we should focus on and our methods are simply means to achieving it.  Great read.

Get the book at Adlibris.

War and Peace and IT – Schwartz

Author Mark Schwartz brings interesting examples and inspiration to the idea that the business and IT MUST improve their relationship.  Each party needs to increase the dialog with and understanding of the other.

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Project to Product – Kersten

Traditional project methodologies are struggling to maintain pace with change.  Author Mik Kersten presents his Flow Framework and exemplifies transitioning to more iterative change over time.

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The Machine that Changed the World – Womack, Jones & Roos

One of the classic Lean books, this is the story of the automobile industry and the evolution of Lean within it.

Get the book at Amazon.

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Drive – The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us – Pink

A fascinating study of motivation based on scientific and behavioral research. Pink challenges traditional thinking and gives us the three elements of true motivation. Wonderful input to our Lean teams.

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Get the book at Adlibris.

The Phoenix Project – Kim, Behr, Spafford

An interesting story which is non-technical and easy-to read, The Phoenix Project provides insights into the balance of IT and the business. First published in 2013, the book is considered an early and important book in the movements of DevOps and Lean IT. Here is our blog post about the book.

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Get the book at Adlibris.

The Unicorn Project – Kim

The Phoenix Project continues in this follow-up – this time the theme explores further the concepts of efficiency, flow and enjoying your work with IT. Here is more about the book.

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Get the book at Adlibris.

The DevOps Handbook – Kim, Humble, DeBois, Willis

As it’s titled, the handbook for the Dev + Ops movement. How do we get the two to work together and to what benefit?

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Get the book at Adlibris.

The Lean Startup: How Constant Innovation Creates Radically Successful Businesses – Eric Ries

An insightful book explaining one way of applying lean principles to a start-up of primarily an IT-based business. Shows critical steps for success with a sturdy platform in agile methodologies but applied on a business level. Excellent way of applying some of the Lean IT principles on a business matter.

Get the book at Amazon.

Respect for People – Kusén & Ljung

Swedish authors again, a book about lean leadership based on respect for people. Kusén and Ljung use examples from their Lean journey with Scania.

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Get the book at Adlibris.

The Lean IT Field Guide – Orzen & Paider

Field guide which pairs with the above textbook. Roadmap structure of lean info and actions to pursue.

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The Toyota Way – Liker

The definitive book about Toyotas Production System including history, examples, and an introduction to the 14 management principles of Toyota.

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Get the book at Bokus.

Making Work Visible – Degrandis

Degrandis reveals the real crime – TIME THEFT.  Read about how Kanban can help save you from the five thieves of time.

Get the book at Amazon.