Surviving Object-Oriented Projects: Cockburn, Alistair - Amazon.com
A standard system that must succeed but won't ruin the company if delayed.
Organizations often spend thousands on CASE tools while neglecting the developers' mindset. Training developers in "object-think"—the ability to model problem domains effectively—is the single most significant cost but also the highest predictor of success.
Instead of modeling the entire world, plan by feature and build a list of tangible functionalities to deliver. 3. Invest in "Object-Think" Over Tools
The survival of a project often hinges on social factors. Research shows that many failed projects are saved only when new "core developers" step in to assume ownership.