The essentials of project management in under 500 words
What’s going on inside my computer?
July 23, 2013
We all ask this question now and then, particularly when the computer or its application software is not working as it should. Or at least when it’s doing things we don’t understand. Our smartphones are no different – they are primarily computers, with some radio communications thrown in to connect them with the world. Of […]
The life of a hero – Doug Engelbart 1930 – 2013
July 8, 2013
Lessons from the life of the inventor of the mouse.
Software development – not by PERT alone
April 1, 2013
Software is abstract, invisible and runs at extreme speeds. People who are good at building software have to possess talent at visualization and a willingness to use complex tools. When software developers become project managers (PMs), they rely on software tools to monitor, control and report on projects, just as non-technical PMs do. Problems technologists have as managers relate to people, including conflict, collaboration and just plain old listening well.
What’s wrong with complexity?
March 19, 2013
We tend to design things that are complex, and that can be our undoing.
5 key things you should know about computer security
March 6, 2013
Computer security does not come easily. It requires awareness of the ways in which computers and data are compromised. To guard against loss, there are 5 key things you should know. 1. Anti-virus programs are essential, but they’re not enough. Anti-virus programs will not keep you safe from all attacks. They are good for blocking […]
Technical debt and causes of software instability
February 7, 2013
“Technical debt” refers to releasing software products that have significant bugs in them. The cost of removing the bugs after release must be paid if the software is to survive in the long run. So the concept is similar to financial debt: the longer you leave it unpaid, the more you must pay in compound […]
Software Development – not by PERT alone
January 21, 2013
Software is abstract, invisible and runs at extreme speeds, so the people who are good at building it have to possess a particular talent at visualization and a willingness to use complex tools. When software developers become project managers (PMs), they tend to rely on software tools. But simply having good tools will not make your project succeed. Software development projects frequently fail to produce results that the customer or end-user wants. Why?
No silver bullet
December 10, 2012
Software is in everything and we and our businesses depend on it more and more. Yet Software Quality is not rising, so we have rising numbers of failure incidents and out-of-control costs in maintaining software. What should you do about it?