Innovation that Fits by Michael Lord, Donald DeBethizy, and Jeffrey Wager

Although accidental, the last three of the reviews in this set follow a theme: They all address high levels of uncertainty and change in projects, which is what one encounters when developing a highly innovative product where the market, customer usage patterns, and the technology are being explored as the product is being developed. First, Roman Pichler reviews a book on agile estimating and planning, which describes agile software development methods applicable to planning and estimating nonsoftware products subject to high rates of change. Next, I review one on managing risk in high-uncertainty projects. Finally, Carla Kuesten reviews a set of case studies from modern China where change and uncertainty abound.
Interestingly, these reviewers follow their own advice, applying a major tool for operating in uncertain situations: iteration. Pichler's review went through eight versions before it was final, and Kuesten topped him at nine.
Books reviewed in this issue :

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  Innovation that Fits