Ask HN: Suggested reading about managing R&D projects | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Suggested reading about managing R&D projects

I'm curious if anyone has any good materials to share regarding the management of R&D projects (both successes and cautionary tales, big companies and small).

Thanks!

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Not directly management books. I work in an R&D lab myself and two books I found useful in thinking about the structure and evaluation of projects:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11797471-the-idea-factor...

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/530415.The_Art_of_Doing_...

Much appreciated!

Peopleware[0]

If you lead any kind of team in IT it is required reading. It will make you a bit sad though: it was written in 1987 presenting common problems and solutions to said problems. We're still struggling to get the solutions implemented today.

[0] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/67825.Peopleware

Good recommendation. I would add Slack by the same author. It doesn’t necessarily align with the average PMP but it’s highly effective.

Thanks, will pick up a copy!

Much less true science there. Two biographies worth reading. One is about aircraft R&D, the other a computer. Both fall on the R side of R&D.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/skunk-works-leo-janos/11247...

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/soul-of-a-new-machine-tracy...

Loved Skunkworks, will checkout The Soul of a New Machine - thanks!

I read The Soul of a New Machine in 1982 and thought I was late to the technology party... little did I know how much that book impacted my life. I hope you enjoy it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mythical_Man-Month is a classic for a reason, on this exact topic.

Thanks. I suppose I'm after more materials related to projects with a science/research element where outcomes are perhaps more loosely defined than for a typical software project. I haven't read this, however, and it is definitely relevant so it's going on the list.

Great question, I've taken some of these books down to read later.

I was fascinated by The Pentagon Wars [0]. Arguably US Military is one of the biggest bureaucracies that spends tons of money on R&D projects. Apart from describing the issues with the projects themselves, the author describes how structuring the incentives could potentially pervert the process of developing new tech. I really loved it.

[0]: https://www.amazon.com/Pentagon-Wars-Reformers-Challenge-Gua...

Thanks for this

I have a completed outline for an Applied Research Management book following the old Scott Meyers format.

Of course, I am slowly working on the writing phase.

Hit me up by email if you would like to pick over the outline.

Thanks, sounds very interesting - where can I find your email?

Sorry, added.

I'd like to help, but your email is not in your profile.

Sorry, added.

I enjoyed The History of the Making of the Atomic Bomb

Thanks, looks great!

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