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Here's the (read: a) problem:Member 10389821 wrote: - You specify it completely
The "Business owners" of a software project are almost without exception, NOT software people. They are not, by virtue of that separation, capable of specifying a project completely from a blank page.
This is where the real advantage of an iterative methodology really shines (whether it's Xp, Agile, Kanscrum or whatever the crap people are supposed to love between 1 and 2pm today.) It allows and requires development to work with business much more closely to understand what they really want, how to translate that into techspeak and back, and what is actually involved (at least as a rough function of complexity) in making it all happen.
Otherwise you end up with two almost inevitable problems:
- Business thinks easy things are impossible and impossible things are trivial.
- They insist on shipping the prototype.
Until business understands enough about software (and devs about business) to bridge the communication gap, they need to be kept tightly in the loop for steps 5-8.
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I write software for commercial ink-jet printing systems. These are huge machines, and it takes a team of hundreds to design and develop them. We actually apply several methodologies. There's a certain amount of waterfall at the beginning, based on marketing requirements. Subsystems, and components within subsystems, tend to be developed in an informal Agile manner (frequent, relatively easy milestones).
By the time you work down to my team, which writes the software to control the press and the actual printing process, it becomes fairly ad hoc. We use all of the techniques you mention: prototypes, simulators, emulators, stand-ins, test benches, and so on. We've done this so many times we've got a couple hundred man-years of experience. Rigorous, formal processes get in the way. We spec broad outlines and interfaces at the start, and go from there. Interestingly, we are one of the most successful software groups in the company. We tend to make our schedules, and are relatively light in the bug data base.
That being said, we do suffer from the problem you describe. Marketing sees this big piece of iron out on the development area floor, and the first question is: "It looks ready. Can we sell it?" "No" is usually not an acceptable answer. The acceptable answer is "Yes, but it only does this, this, and this."
Software Zen: delete this;
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Blocked. What is it ?
~RaGE();
I think words like 'destiny' are a way of trying to find order where none exists. - Christian Graus
Entropy isn't what it used to.
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Life size dummy of David Hasslehoff
Every day, thousands of innocent plants are killed by vegetarians.
Help end the violence EAT BACON
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Oversized. More Hoff for your buck.
Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them.
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I thought he was real live one ...
CQ de W5ALT
Walt Fair, Jr., P. E.
Comport Computing
Specializing in Technical Engineering Software
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No, that's just his acting ability.
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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That's brilliant! We could use it as a battering ram...
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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Just for you! I added a 5 level undo to it...
2048.zip (226 KB)
Download, extract and open index.html...
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is. (V)
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No, thank you.
I beat it fair and square and I want nothing to do with again.
It has eaten quite enough of my time, thank you!
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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Just like you...This was the last 20 minutes I spend with it...
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is. (V)
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OriginalGriff wrote: I beat it fair and square
So, you made it to 512, like me?
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Nah - it took me a week to get there (playing on and off) but I got a bit past the 2048 and...ran out of space. And haven't played it since. Best score 26580 (on my tablet - chrome stored the score for me)
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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I agree, I actually drained the battery (from 100%) on the iPad with only this running. The OCD kicked in, and I kinda never want to see it again. Crazy addictive.
My daughter reports a kid in her high school has SUPPOSEDLY 300,000 score. Went well past 2048... I am not even sure if it is possible... But I give up!
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What I found worked for me, was to get the highest number into one corner and keep it there! As soon as you let it out, it starts to get in the way and make it much, much harder. Even if it means you miss a "double up", keep it in the corner!
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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OriginalGriff wrote: It has eaten quite enough of my time
So why don't you get his undo version then you can spend as much time us you like playing it and at the end just undo all your moves and get your time back!
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I'm pretty sure it doesn't work like that, but I'll put it on my wish list - along with a remote control for children...
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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I will consider it as a feature request...
I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is. (V)
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Brilliant!
The KiddieMote should have "Mute" and preferably "Pause" functions. "Rewind" would be very handy, but clearly "fast forward" would never be needed...
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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The pause button is the only required.
~RaGE();
I think words like 'destiny' are a way of trying to find order where none exists. - Christian Graus
Entropy isn't what it used to.
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Nah - "pause" is handy, but they will still scream when it ends. "Mute" means you can eat in peace in restaurants, relax on the beach, and shop in supermarkets without tantrums.
"Other Peoples Children" - Parents: why do you think I want to share the experience with you? I wasn't there for the fun part!
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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Now that's a kick start project I'd support
Every day, thousands of innocent plants are killed by vegetarians.
Help end the violence EAT BACON
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