"What do you mean you need to push back the launch date?" Says the CEO. Says the CFO. Says the user community. CTOs, CIOs, and all officers who oversee major development projects have had to deliver the dreaded message. But a deadline for the sake of a deadline is a dangerous pitfall that can consume an entire project and stymie it to the point that it never launches. Over the years I've come up with six simple rules that help deadlines become more meaningful, while keeping the developers, the user community, the CFO and the CEO all satisfied.
1. Always have minor version control throughout development. Group functional requirements into minor versions so that core functionality is prioritized and so that the entire development team is generally active on the same minor version.
2. Always target minor version releases every 2 to 4 weeks.
3. Always begin testing immediately once each minor version is complete.
4. Always prioritize bug-fixing to the highest level upon the completion of any testing.
5. Never allow a problematic functional enhancement to be a showstopper. Negotiate with the user community and the CFO or CEO for a delay in, or removal of, the delivery of that functionality.
6. Always launch the product on time - as long as the most recent fully completed minor version is functionally equivalent or better than the current production system. Launch it, no matter how far you are from 100% complete.
So I want you to launch an incomplete application? Let's just call it "functionally challenged". This is what I call the 70% solution. The deadline doesn't move and the developers deliver a fully tested, bug-fixed version on time and within budget. This gives management the opportunity to evaluate further investments into application functionality while reaping the benefits of any developments to date.
Don't blame the developers. It's more likely a project runs over budget and over deadline because of optimistic cost planning or scope creep than poor developer skills. Following these rules ensures delivery of the best product the development team can achieve within a set budget or period of time. Even in an environment where scope creep becomes a factor, escalating requirements can be scheduled into minor versions so they never hold back the launch of the "functionally challenged" application.
Testing? Who needs testing? So you didn't follow the six rules, you're past the code freeze date, and you're supposed to be in final testing but there are still more things to implement. The user community and the CEO want to know if you'll be able to launch on time regardless. That's when it hits you- if only we could "streamline" the testing phase we could still make it. Very bad idea. The cost of backing out due to insufficient testing can cost more than the project itself. Recently I witnessed a botched implementation of a customer service application that almost cost the company in question its three largest clients-and millions of dollars.
Work your mediation magic. Application development managers have to be part negotiator and part magician. They need to keep all sides happy, even if product expectations and budget restrictions are in conflict. No one really wants the 70% solution, but everyone can live with it. And when no one's 100% happy, you know you're probably doing it right.
Read more in Case in Point: "The Thursday Rule"
Steve Pickard
CEO, Founder
Working actively with Oracle since the early '90s, Steve has architected and developed everything from large data-warehouses and decision-support solutions to award-winning instant Web applications.
Steve has degrees in Mathematics and in Management of Information Systems from Ottawa University. Before founding Pythian, Steve worked as a consultant for numerous companies as well as the Canadian government. He remains the key architect of Pythian's highly sophisticated internal applications and business process systems.
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Have you ever tried to drive somewhere without proper directions?... Read More
If Baby Boomers can get botox and tummy tucks, then... Read More
Traditionally, in American businesses, the same person occupies the role... Read More
There are some simple things you can do with your... Read More
Speak of operations assessment, and we'll hear its significant value.... Read More
Keeping and Motivating the Best Employees ... Read More
Acknowledgement is about recognition or attention from another person. It... Read More
Often, collaborating documents in a team or in a business... Read More
I'm sure you've experienced those typical "headache" meetings! You know... Read More
"His cardinal mistake is that he isolates himself, and allows... Read More
Ineffective communication is a major, yet avoidable, obstacle to business... Read More
How we feel is really more important than what we... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
We go to meetings to share information, to report on... Read More
One Bad Apple I know what... Read More
PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters... Read More
Shaky FoundationsWhilst over 60% of businesses will be looking to... Read More
The purpose of any selection process is to discriminate (albeit... Read More
Unhappy as Jenny undoubtedly was, she held on very tightly... Read More
Meriwether Lewis set the stage for the Corps of Discovery's... Read More
Comparing Corporate and Personal goal attainment programs that have developed... Read More
Do this simple excercise, and transform your life.First, Make a... Read More
Bad meetings are a cultural malady that senior executives pass... Read More
Late last year I was presenting a workshop for the... Read More
Motivation is a term that is so widely used, yet... Read More
Companies are welcoming a diverse range of employees (The Sunday... Read More
When you are acclaimed for excellence during times of crisis... Read More
When you create your profit and loss statement to assess... Read More
IntroductionThere are a group of people in the community that... Read More
It has been well documented that employees' productivity and job... Read More
How can you make the best use of your energy... Read More
Managers should avoid the tendency to constantly delegate to the... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Did you know that an airplane in flight is off... Read More
Organizations communicate in two directions: internally to staff and externally... Read More
FINDING DIRECTION: An organization can't succeed without direction. Direction means... Read More
The first step in planning an agenda is to identify... Read More
Before Gertrude Ederle began her historic swim off of Cape... Read More
Many companies have dress codes, which include jewelry. Some companies... Read More
There are different reactions that individuals experience during time of... Read More
The old saying 'You have to spend money to make... Read More
Recognizing good performance through praise or other positive action is... Read More
Working virtually adds a whole new dimension to the phrase... Read More
Tis' the season for business and corporate gift-giving! If you... Read More
A leader's role is to focus on those areas of... Read More
For centuries companies have used on-the-job training (OJT). OJT works... Read More
There's a programme currently running on BBC Television in the... Read More
As a business owner, time is of the essence. Running... Read More
A framework is a way of thinking, a point-of-view, a... Read More
The characteristics of job applicants have a strong influence on... Read More
Everyday a business owner, CEO, or manager somewhere is complaining... Read More
I witnessed some interesting behaviour from one of our premier... Read More
Does your business need the services of a computer consulting... Read More
People in leading positions are often in a dilemma: on... Read More
When executives see themselves as solely responsible for the overall... Read More
Attitudes are more important than facts. Dr. Karl Menninger... Read More
Meetings can be a total waste of time or a... Read More
Somewhere in the world is a person who wants to... Read More
As a child, you probably heard, "to thine own self... Read More
THE CHANGING BOSS-SECRETARY RELATIONSHIP: Imagine a partnership at work. One... Read More
Let me repeat a story I heard many years ago... Read More
Do you know how many customers you have that are... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
"The best Leader is one who knows how to pick... Read More
As an HR professional, you have responsibilities in several broad... Read More
Want to get more from your people, but you don't... Read More
Business Management |