Disposable software

Christmas soon, and every year the same concern: what gifts to offer? Ideally, the one that will please most and that will not ruin us.
I was on a forum trying to find information about an MP3 player when a post caught my attention: someone had a problem with a game console and asked if replacing the faulty component would extend the life of the console.
I was surprised: I did not know you could even replace a component on a console. If some component on your PC fails, you change the motherboard. And most often, you end up completely changing the machine if it is a bit old. Beyond 3 years of age, it becomes difficult to find spare parts, and in any case, it is often more attractive financially to buy a newer model. Continue reading

Best of both worlds

Following the previous post What is the first question ? about the two major questions concerning application quality – costs vs. risks – someone asked if there were some processes or best practices that contribute to these two objectives.

Is there a “best of both worlds” way to produce free defect software without exceeding budget and schedule? Continue reading

What is the first question?

I work with some providers who sometimes call me when one of their customers has a problem with an application.

What is the first question you ask in a meeting with a customer?

  • Which technologies in your application ?
  • Is it a big application ?
  • Is this application complex ?

No. I see that every time. And this is a natural reaction: first, qualify the application. Sure, you want to know if you can adress the needs of this customer. Sure, your partner looks to evaluate what could be the size of a possible deal. Continue reading

Costs and risks

Back to raw metrics.

A customer wants you to audit the quality of an application or a portfolio of applications. He expects for an answer to a very precise question. For example:

  • This application is an important part of my budget: is it possible to reduce its costs and how?
  • I have been asekd to take the maintenance of this application. I only know that it is a complex application. What do I have to expect?
  • Is it possible to outsource this application? What are the risks?
  • We are going to merge with this entity. What systems should we use? Theirs or ours?

There are two different questions in these questions: