Nowadays, there is software everywhere in our life. It controls cars,
airplanes, factories, medical implants. Without software, banking,
logistics and transportation, media, and even scientific research would
not function in the accustomed way. Building and maintaining software is
a knowledge-intensive endeavour and requires that specific experiences
are handled successfully. However, neither knowledge nor experience can
be collected, stored, and shipped like physical goods, instead these
delicate resources require dedicated techniques. Knowledge and
experience are often called company assets, yet this is only part of the
truth: it is only software engineers and other creative employees who
will effectively exploit an organisation's knowledge and experience.
Kurt Schneider's textbook is written for those who want to make better
use of their own knowledge and experience - either personally or within
their group or company. Everyone related to software development will
benefit from his detailed explanations and case studies: project
managers, software engineers, quality assurance responsibles, and
knowledge managers. His presentation is based on years of both practical
experience, with companies such as Boeing, Daimler, and Nokia, and
research in renowned environments, such as the Fraunhofer Institute.
Each chapter is self-contained, it clearly states its learning
objectives, gives in-depth presentations, shows the techniques'
practical relevance in application scenarios, lists detailed references
for further reading, and is finally completed by exercises that review
the material presented and also challenge further, critical
examinations. The overall result is a textbook that is equally suitable
as a personal resource for self-directed learning and as the basis for a
one-semester course on software engineering and knowledge management.
