You seem to imply that UML or other project management software are considered best practices. I have never heard that. Or rather the opposite. Not using UML is currently considered as best practice.
But maybe it depends who you ask.
However it's way too laborious using it for everything and it becomes a burden when things get complicated. For simple things it just doesn't really help because they're simple anyway.
As a learning tool I think it was great. In production? Well I use it every day. The book props up my keyboard on my desk which happens to be 2cm too low :)
Having a shared vocabulary is great.
Modelling everything out with it, on the other hand, is a nightmare.