Providing a framework to guide software professionals through the many aspects of development, Building Software: A Practitioner's Guide shows how to master systems development and manage many of the soft and technical skills that are crucial to the successful delivery of systems and software. It encourages tapping into a wealth of cross-domain and legacy solutions to overcome common problems, such as confusion about requirements and issues of quality, schedule, communication, and people management. The book offers insight into the inner workings of software reliability along with sound advice on ensuring that it meets customer and organizational needs.