A picture is worth a thousand words. Agile values working software over comprehensive documentation, and it values customer collaboration over contract negotiation. With that in mind, how much is a picture of a model worth? Check out a simple example, how it helped, and what we didn’t do.
Traveling Product Manager
It’s fitting that I’m writing this from the exit row of an MD-80 this evening on the way home from a customer visit. I almost didn’t get the exit row, but I did. I tried for an upgrade to first class, but I was 15th in line – it was […]
The Impact of a Hidden Decision
Business rules are often hidden in processes as hidden decisions. Once you discover that hidden decision, how do you communicate the impact of exposing and managing the decision?
Effective Status Reports
An effective status report is one that Instantly conveys the state of the project. Creates a minimum of overhead for the project team. Gets you help when you need it, and latitude when you don’t. Is fun / energizing to the author and the readers. An effective status report is […]
Get an Edge With Visual Communication
Having trouble working through complex concepts? Struggling to get a “simple” message across? As human beings, we are all pre-wired to absorb visual communication. You should take advantage of that to give yourself an edge when it comes to communicating.
Defining Problems With Cause And Effect Diagrams
The Cause and Effect diagram is also known as a fish bone diagram, because it resembles the skeleton of a fish. Using a cause and effect diagram can be the most effective way to define the problems that you intend to solve with your product. Get your stakeholders engaged in […]
Making Offshore Design Work
When companies first start off-shoring, they usually send the “low level” implementation work overseas first, to work out the process kinks and manage risk. Over time, your valued, domain-aware developers will perceive a lack of career opportunities with this limited role. Naturally, you will want to consider sending design work […]
Making Offshore Development Work
Economic pressures are driving most companies in high-developer-salary markets to explore using offshore development teams as part of their approach to developing software. Developing software with a global team presents new challenges as well as new benefits. If you do it right, you can have a more cost-effective team. If […]
Requirements Writing Style and Synonyms
A rose by any other name… When we’re learning how to write in high school and college, we’re taught that synonyms make our writing more exciting. In fact, not using synonyms can make our prose clumsy and awkward. When it comes to requirements, the last thing you want to do […]