TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
1www.teratech.com 1/36
7 ways CF projects fail
(and how to solve issues for success)
Michael Smith, TeraTech, [email protected]://www.teratech.com
301-424-3903 x110Copyright TeraTech 2013
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
2www.teratech.com 2/36
Overview• What is a project?• 7 ways ColdFusion projects fail
Scope creep and requirementsBuggy peoplewareLack of user/executive supportPoor planning and milestonesNo vision and objectivesIncompetent StaffPoor testing and deployment
• Q&A
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
3www.teratech.com 3/36
Speaker Information
• Michael Smith
• 37 years programming,16 CF
• CEO of TeraTechThe ColdFusion paramedics and
specialists
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
4www.teratech.com 4/36
What is a project?• has beginning• has an end• takes resources
people/timemoneyequipmentlocation/deskresource use is temporary
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
5www.teratech.com 5/36
What is same for all Projects?
• Each project is different in details but all share common elements.Visualize
• Project expectations
Plan• Tasks and dependencies
Implement• Develop, test, deploy
Close• Lessons learned
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
6www.teratech.com 6/36
Definition of Project Success
“success equals met expectations”
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
7www.teratech.com 7/36
7 ways ColdFusion projects fail
• Scope creep and requirements
• Buggy peopleware
• Lack of user/executive support
• Poor planning and milestones
• No vision and objectives
• Incompetent Staff
• Poor testing and deployment
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
8www.teratech.com 8/36
1a. Scope creep and requirements
• IssuesScope changes during projectUsers can’t express their needsLate delivery and budget overrunsEndless changes reduces code quality
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
9www.teratech.com 9/36
1b. Scope creep and requirements
• SolutionsClear written requirements, including mock
ups of screens and reportsFormal Sign offFormal change request system
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
10www.teratech.com 10/36
2a. Buggy peopleware
• Peopleware = Political and social issues in software development
• IssuesLow developer productivityPoor teamworkBad group dynamics
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
11www.teratech.com 11/36
2b. Buggy peopleware
• SolutionsHire smart people and trust themPrivate offices and windows.team aligned goals and limit non-team work. Manager: protect from execs and corp politics help developers "flow“ – remove interruptionsattack cubicles, dress codes, telephones, bad
hiring policies, and company core hours
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
12www.teratech.com 12/36
3a. Lack of user/executive support
• IssuesCan’t get decisions made (or made early!)Turf wars unresolvedshelfware
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
13www.teratech.com 13/36
3b. Lack of user/executive support
• SolutionsGet buy in of senior exec project championInvolve users in prototyping and UI
reviewsOrg. change psychology /motivation
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
14www.teratech.com 14/36
4a. Poor planning and milestones
• IssuesResource contentionWe are “90% done” all the timeLack of milestones and versioning
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
15www.teratech.com 15/36
4b. Poor planning and milestones
• SolutionsTask list (no big tasks)Make estimatesKey Resource allocationPM software
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
16www.teratech.com 16/36
5a. No vision and objectives
• IssuesDon’t know where we are goingDon’t know if we have arrivedTeam members going in different
directions
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
17www.teratech.com 17/36
5b. No vision and objectives
• SolutionsClear written vision up front
• a few sentences describing the project
• Business reasons and value
List goals to measure success• Expected results, prioritized
• S.M.A.R.T. goals
Assumptions listed
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
18www.teratech.com 18/36
Benefits of Project Vision
• common understanding of projectbetween client and youhelps explain what project is about
• know when you are done• defines general scope of project
avoid doing things that are not in the project
• get people enthusiastic about projecthelp get project startedhelp see past obstacles
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
19www.teratech.com 19/36
6a. Incompetent Staff
• IssuesGreat variance in developer productivityCreate more problems than they solveDemoralize other team membersTurnover costs
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
20www.teratech.com 20/36
6b. Incompetent Staff
• SolutionsBetter hiring practicesKeep poor performance off your team
• Or assign to “safe” tasks
Keep good teams together for future projects
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
21www.teratech.com 21/36
7a. Poor testing and deployment
• IssuesBugs show up in productionSlow performance with real data volumesServer crashes under load
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
22www.teratech.com 22/36
7b. Poor testing and deployment
• SolutionsAcceptance testing period, Test planCode review Staging serverAutomated deployment scriptsLoad testing, Server tuning
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
23www.teratech.com 23/36
Risk reduction
• IssuesSurprise issues delay projectDBA not available at key timeDependencies
• SolutionsRisk analysis and mitigationsRegular risks reviewDependencies chart
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
24www.teratech.com 24/36
Project Success Factors
The CHAOS Report , Standish Group
Project Success Factors
1. User Involvement
2. Executive Management Support
3. Clear Statement of Requirements
4. Proper Planning
5. Realistic Expectations
6. Smaller Project Milestones
7. Competent Staff
8. Ow nership
9. Clear Vision & Objectives
10. Hard-Working, Focused Staff
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
25www.teratech.com 25/36
What Good PM achieves
• Reduce risks
• Fulfill client expectations
• Complete in budget and on time
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
26www.teratech.com 26/36
Books
• “The Mythical Man-Month” by Frederick Brooks
• “Rapid Development” by Steve McConnell• “Software Project Survival Guide” by
Steve McConnell• “Peopleware” by Tom Demarco, et al• “Controlling Software Projects:
Management, Measurement, and Estimates” by Tom Demarco and Barry Boehm
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
27www.teratech.com 27/36
The choice is yours
Go from project failure
To project success
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
28www.teratech.com 28/36
Project Check up
• Are you are interested in a TeraTech project check up?Project failure risk analysisSecurity and hacker proofingServer optimization and tuningCode review
Email [email protected] for details
TeraTech - The ColdFusion paramedics and specialists
29www.teratech.com 29/36
Q&A
Thanks for attending!
Enter Questions in the question window (not the chat)