In "The Phoenix Project," chaos reigns at Parts Unlimited, a car manufacturer struggling to keep up with a rapidly changing tech landscape. When IT manager Bill Palmer is unexpectedly thrust into a project vital for the company's survival, he discovers the interconnected challenges of people, processes, and technology. As he navigates through daily crises and corporate politics, Bill learns the transformative power of DevOps principles. Can he turn the company around before it's too late? This compelling tale blends fiction with valuable lessons, making it a must-read for anyone facing modern business challenges.
By Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, George Spafford
Published: 2018
"Never be afraid to ask questions. It’s a sign of strength, not weakness."
Over a half-million sold! And available now, the Wall Street Journal Bestselling sequel The Unicorn Project “Every person involved in a failed IT project should be forced to read this book.”—TIM O'REILLY, Founder & CEO of O'Reilly Media “The Phoenix Project is a must read for business and IT executives who are struggling with the growing complexity of IT.”—JIM WHITEHURST, President and CEO, Red Hat, Inc. Five years after this sleeper hit took on the world of IT and flipped it on it's head, the 5th Anniversary Edition of The Phoenix Project continues to guide IT in the DevOps revolution. In this newly updated and expanded edition of the bestselling The Phoenix Project, co-author Gene Kim includes a new afterword and a deeper delve into the Three Ways as described in The DevOps Handbook. Bill, an IT manager at Parts Unlimited, has been tasked with taking on a project critical to the future of the business, code named Phoenix Project. But the project is massively over budget and behind schedule. The CEO demands Bill must fix the mess in ninety days or else Bill's entire department will be outsourced. With the help of a prospective board member and his mysterious philosophy of The Three Ways, Bill starts to see that IT work has more in common with a manufacturing plant work than he ever imagined. With the clock ticking, Bill must organize work flow streamline interdepartmental communications, and effectively serve the other business functions at Parts Unlimited. In a fast-paced and entertaining style, three luminaries of the DevOps movement deliver a story that anyone who works in IT will recognize. Readers will not only learn how to improve their own IT organizations, they'll never view IT the same way again. “This book is a gripping read that captures brilliantly the dilemmas that face companies which depend on IT, and offers real-world solutions.”—JEZ HUMBLE, Co-author of Continuous Delivery, Lean Enterprise, Accelerate, and The DevOps Handbook
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“Never be afraid to ask questions. It’s a sign of strength, not weakness.”
The Phoenix Project
By Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, George Spafford
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Gene Kim is a renowned author, researcher, and IT professional, best known for his influential work in the fields of DevOps and IT management. He is the co-author of the groundbreaking "The Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win," which explores the challenges of IT practices through a fictional narrative. Additionally, he authored "The DevOps Handbook" alongside Jez Humble, Patrick Debois, and John Willis, which serves as a comprehensive guide to implementing DevOps principles in organizations.
Kim's writing style is characterized by its blend of storytelling and practical advice, making complex technical concepts accessible to a broad audience. His works emphasize collaboration, continuous improvement, and the importance of cultural change in IT organizations. A prominent speaker at industry conferences, Kim's insights have helped shape the DevOps movement and its application in modern software development and operational practices.
Kevin Behr is an accomplished author and software engineer known for his expertise in both the literary and digital realms. He has made significant contributions to the science fiction genre, with notable works including "The Last of the O-Forms" and "The Dark Side of the Moon," where he explores themes of technology, humanity, and the consequences of innovation. Behr's writing is characterized by a blend of meticulous world-building and thought-provoking narratives, often incorporating elements of speculative fiction to challenge readers' perceptions of the future. In addition to his literary pursuits, Behr is recognized for his contributions to the field of software development, particularly in the areas of project management and systems engineering. His unique background informs his storytelling, making his work resonate with both tech enthusiasts and general readers alike.
George Spafford is an accomplished author and thought leader in the realm of technology and business strategy. With a focus on IT management and agile methodologies, he has made significant contributions to the discourse on organizational effectiveness and performance improvement. Spafford is known for his clear, insightful writing style that combines technical expertise with practical applications, making complex concepts accessible to a broad audience.
Among his notable works, Spafford has co-authored influential titles such as "The Lean IT Field Guide," which explores the integration of lean principles within the IT sector, and "ITIL 4: Create, Deliver and Support," which helps organizations enhance their IT services. His writing often emphasizes the importance of adaptability and continuous improvement in today’s fast-paced technological landscape. With a background in both IT and management, Spafford provides readers with valuable perspectives on leadership and operational excellence.
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