by Johanna Rothman. This article was originally publised in Software DevelopmentMagazine, June 2002. If you’re getting stuck counting cars in the parking lot or fetching meals to fuel your team’s overtime marathons, dump the dinners and trade in the clock for more accurate means of measuring productivity. By Johanna Rothman How do you find out who’s […]
© 2002 Johanna Rothman. This article was originally publised in STQE Magazine, March/April 2002. How to know if your software is ready to release For any project, the big question is “Is the software ready to release yet?” Or more specifically, “When is the development and testing part of the project done?” You can’t know if you’re
by Johanna Rothman. This article was originally publised in Software DevelopmentMagazine, March 2002. Jim, a development manager, met up with some of his staff in the cafeteria. “Hey, you’ll be late for our weekly status meeting,” he said. “Hurry up!” Don, a senior developer, stopped, turned and stared at him. “No way. I’m not spending another
by Johanna Rothman. This article was originally published in Software Development Magazine, February 2002. Sometimes, multitasking runs amok. If you’re suffocating under piles of paperwork or controlling your staff’s every action, you need help: Learn to delegate duties and regain your focus as a manager. Once you’ve made the transition from engineer to technical lead,
© 2002 Johanna Rothman. This article was originally publishedby Cutter, February 2002. You’ve decided that now is a good time to improve everyone’s skills with a little training. Maybe you’re planning some changes, or maybe you’re using training as a technique to avoid having to hire more people, and to help retain your best people.
© 2002 Johanna Rothman. This article was originally published on Stickyminds.com, January 2002, as a companion piece to “Release Criteria: Is this Software Done?” Summary: How do you know when software is ready to release? This article discusses one piece of knowing when the software is ready to release–knowing what a successful release would look
©2002 Johanna Rothman Who’s working hard in your organization? One senior manager, Cyril, noted the cars in the parking lot on the weekend, as his measure of who was truly committed to the project. Cyril also noticed when people arrived at work and when they left. Cyril thought that measuring his staff’s office-time would help
©2002 Johanna Rothman You’re a project manager who’s just been assigned the biggest project of your life. You’ve planned the project work with your project team. You’ve gathered the project plan and the project schedule, for your upcoming meeting with the Operations Committee, OC, to explain how you’re going to manage the project and when
© 2002 Johanna Rothman. This article was originally published in Software Development, October 2002. When hiring personnel, subject domain expertise, industry experience and software skills, combined with corporate culture simpatico, make for a well-rounded worker. by Johanna Rothman Jim, a hiring manager in search of a developer, is talking to Jane, a human resources recruiter:
by Johanna Rothman. This article was originally publised in Software DevelopmentMagazine, November 2001. Despite the horror stories, there are ways to treat people with respect while ending their employment. The “new economy” has crashed, and it’s layoff time in the software industry. Your company is having financial trouble, and laying people off is the only alternative.