Software Development: From Craft To Factory Practice
Michael A. Cusumano · 1991
Abstract The quest for an absolute answer to whether software development is or should be managed more like an art or craft rather than like science, engineering, or manufacturing is probably moot. This is because the nature of software development, and the optimal process or organization, seem to depend on the specific tasks at hand. To the extent these tasks differ with product types, market segments, and competitive positioning, the appropriateness of managing software through a factory process or not becomes a strategic choice subject to management discretion.