Many of the project schedules I review contain milestone completions on Fridays and new task or phase beginnings on Mondays. With a Friday or Monday milestone, what you’re really saying is that people can work overtime all week and all weekend to make the Friday milestone, so they won’t be late for the Monday start. […]
by Johanna Rothman. This article was originally published in Software Development, January 2003. When the avalanche of work piles up past your eyebrows, sending for a St. Bernard won’t help. Ask yourself six crucial questions—and use the answers to dig out of trouble. Part 1 of 2. Raul, a CIO, arrives at work at 7:45. Between
by Johanna Rothman. Part 2 from Shaking off the Shoulds. Don’t take on work just because someone else thinks you should. Answer these sanity-saving questions to trim your workload, be tactical and optimize productivity. Part 2 of 2. Remember Sisyphus? That unfortunate who angered Zeus was cursed with a job that may feel all too
“I’m so busy, I barely have time to think. I don’t have enough money to hire on someone full time, but I’d like to get off the merry go-round.” “I wish I had more business.” “How can I take on jobs with more challenge?” “I’m lonely. I don’t want to keep working alone.” Consultants have
Most of us track faults (also called defects, problems, issues, bugs) during the system test part of the project. However, many project managers don’t track how many of our fixes are successful and how many fixes are bad — either introducing a new defect or not completely fixing the original defect. If you’re looking for
INTRO: We all have different attitudes and policies toward finding and fixing defects. The choice about whether and when to fix defects depends upon many factors, one of the least understood being the actual cost of fixing a defect. In this week’s column, testing expert Johanna Rothman shares a formula for calculating the system test
© 2002 Johanna Rothman. This article was originally published by Cutter, June 2002. As we come out of the economic downturn, it’s time to start planning your organizational investments. Aside from the standard capital equipment investments, what about your people investment? Maybe you’re thinking, “Hey, my people are lucky to still be employed!” But as
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