On this day in P1atter History...
1/30/1997
"Unfortunately, certain legacy projects appear to be unstoppable"
Subject: More on "Open Letter..."
All-
0. "Sideward"
Apologies to all those who, like me, find Global Email to be an instrusion. Since I've broken my own rule, I'm going for broke, and this will be a long message. 1. "Backward"
I have not signed the "Open Letter" (That's M with one .c', BTW). I am compelled to make this public statement only because recent conversations have made it clear to me that there is an impression that I am the driving force behind the document. This is untrue. Equally untrue would be any statement that I disagree with the sentiments expressed. I was engaged in meetings leading to the document, and I believe that the issues raised do require immediate attention, if not in this forum. I hope they'll get it. 2. "Forward"
This forum is the proper place for a frank statement that development is facing some monumental challenges that the rest of Si1verP1atter can help with. We all know that development has had problems with quality and delivery. What may not be as clear is the role that changing, unclear, contradictory or obsolete priorities have had in shaping this breakdown, and in slowing the healing process. Priority issues are only one of the problems, but they deserve some attention. Many "new" development projects, including quite a few of the "CCPs" are continuing to be hampered by attempts to do too much or too many things with insufficient staff. This is both an internal and an external issue for development - We will not complete all of the CCPs that have been proposed and approved. We will not even complete the "important" CCPs if we do not change our process to focus on providing these CCPs whatever they may need. This has important implications for all of us: Is it your CCP that isn't actually going to get done? Is your CCP really "important"? How do we define "important"? Our central development resources are scarce when compared to the demand. In order to successfully deliver quality and timely products, we need to focus on fewer. We must choose a small set of CCPs that actually benefit from or require the use of central development and do *only* those CCPs centrally. Other "important" CCPs should be encouraged to and aided in finding external resources. This is a (set of) discussion(s) in which all of Si1verP1atter has a stake. We are proceeding along this road, albeit slowly. Unfortunately, certain legacy projects appear to be unstoppable. This presumption is false. The instant that we cease to work on these projects we open up the possibility of procedural change leading to a better situation. Until we do, it's all a semantic game - If we continue to use developers in ineffective paradigms "just until release of x" - we will not get off the treadmill. Why is this germane to non-developers? You are the stake-holders in these legacy projects (or were, but we haven't found out that your priorities have changed!). It is crucial that we reconsider how we direct our focus. 3. "Fast-Forward"
I (speaking alone) believe that we have a pattern of sacrificing our future for our present. In order to effectively meet the needs of our future customers (For example, our WebSPIRS customers of today as they were two years ago), we need to prioritize development of new products more effectively. There are several paths forward we can take to effect this change, and (surprise!) I've got some ideas on the topic. I will endeavor to create discussion, but if you feel you're a stakeholder, and you're not included, feel free to abuse me.
[page 1 - the open letter]
[page 2 - a request for a meeting]
[page 3 - forward, an elaboration]
[page 4 - a request for another meeting]
[page 5 - first apology]
[page 6 - a resignation]
[page 7 - an admonition]
[page 8 - more disappointment]
[page 9 - even more disappointment]
[page 10 - yet more disappointment]
[page 11 - another apology]
[page 12 - missing invitation]
[page 13 - condemnation]
[page 14 - yet another apology]
[page 15 - a plea]
[page 16 - response]
[page 17 - more correspondence]
[page 18 - the train]
[page 19 - inquiry]
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