Many people have contributed in a myriad of ways to the writing of this book. When I began researching the problem of software development failure over a decade ago, I had not anticipated the enormity of the problem and the difficulties I would encounter in acquiring data to analyze and study in order that I might uncover the root causes of the software crisis. Over the years I have received assistance from various sources, and it is with a deep sense of gratitude and obligation that I acknowledge this help. I am especially grateful to my friend and colleague Ish Przasnyski who has been engaged with the research ever since I first broached the subject with him. The papers we coauthored that are cited in this book demonstrate his important contribution. In addition, he found the time to read through an early version of the manuscript and provided helpful comments. My friend Seev Neumann of Tel Aviv University and Claremont Graduate University found time to review an early version of the manuscript and provided critical comments and suggestions. His interest, encouragement, and support of my research over the years have been invaluable. In this regard I would also like to acknowledge the extremely helpful comments and suggestions provided by the anonymous reviewers, which have contributed significantly to the final version of the manuscript. I would also like to thank Ferry Kusnowo and Michael Macauley for their assistance in tracking down several published articles on failed software projects. Over the years I have received intermittently financial assistance from the University Research Committee at Loyola Marymount; this assistance has helped me to pursue the research that culminated in this book, and for that I am most grateful.When I embarked on this journey I had no prior experience in dealing with publishers and was quite unsure of what to expect, but the people at MIT Press, especially my editor Doug Sery and his colleagues Sandra Minkkinen, Susan Clark, and Elizabeth Judd, provided the considerable guidance, encouragement, and assistance I needed at every turn; they made the experience both enjoyable and worthwhile. Doug was particularly helpful in getting me to focus on the main issues I needed to address in the book and guided me along cleverly to achieve our goal. My secretary Cissy Easter was invaluable in typing several versions of the manuscript despite her busy schedule, especially during the academic year. I am especially appreciative of her unfailing professionalism and cheerfulness even under tight deadlines.Finally, it is with a special sense of joy, pride, and gratitude that I acknowledge the enormous help and support of my family throughout this long process. My daughters Maame and Ewurama were both extremely generous with their time, despite their very busy schedules, and carefully read through several versions of the manuscript. They made copious and meticulous editorial suggestions that have greatly improved the quality of the manuscript, making what I was trying to convey lucid and readable. It is profoundly gratifying to me to see their editorial handiwork throughout the book and to share in the delight of seeing our hard work come to fruition. And finally, it is indeed with great pleasure that I pay special respect to my wife, Araba, for providing the support and encouragement I needed throughout the arduous process, and for tolerating my seizure of the kitchen table for its warm environment and inspiring garden view during most of the early writing.
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