Nov/090
.Net Developer Needed
I’m looking for a C# developer with at least 2 years of professional experience. Knowledge of SVN is also a plus.
Depending on when I find you, you’ll be helping to complete a .net web application used to manage construction projects or making changes to a ddns service or whatever project we’re working on at that point.
- I’m not looking for off shore developer. Nothing against it but it doesn’t fit my need.
- In Dallas is preferred but not required.
- I like someone with a mix of contract and in house development experience but that’s not a strict requirement.
- The ability to manage expectations and timelines is essential.
Jun/090
eLocomotive Team RSS Feed
I always like to share articles that I think would be topical, interesting, or educational with my team. I’ve set up a feed for the eLocomotive team so I can share articles with them. It’ll mostly be internet, technology, and business articles relevant to eLocomotive. It’s public so anyone interested can check it out. There’s no commentary so if you have a thought about the articles, send me a message.
Mar/091
It’s never perfect. Don’t stop the launch.
Near the completion of a software project, stakeholders are full of new ideas. Recently, I’ve had a few conversations with clients who wanted to add more features in the last stage of software development. Not bugs but new ideas. My counsel is always the same, if it’s not critical to the current functions, don’t stop the launch.
It’s inevitable that new ideas come to mind. It’s a new tool and because the process of building custom software brings a lot to mind. Custom software can open up possibilities never envisioned. That’s good. It’s one of the benefits of building an application that fits your business or process exactly. You instantly see new ways to leverage the data you have. You see ways to fix other nagging problems and realize a report you’ve always wanted is within reach.
The consequences of holding the launch for these new ideas include:
- If you can gain benefit from the current software phase, delaying it becomes a cost. If you can save 10 man hours/week, delaying the launch is a loss.
- Delayed launches have a demoralizing effect on the team. Each missed deadline makes the project seem like it will never end.
- Slipery slope. If you can hold the entire project because you want one more report, you loose control to every new idea.
- Late addons usually don’t go through the same design and review process. Everyone just assumes you can slip it. Doing so can cause more revisions, more testing, and unintended consequences that lead to more changes.
Custom software is never perfect because, by the time you reach the end, you’ve had time to think of new ideas. You don’t have to stop development just because you’re launching. Custom software grows with and around your company so let it. If you have new ideas, start planning so future versions are bound to come up.
Mar/091
Convey Computer, here I come
I’m happy to report that I’m the newest consultant on the Convey Computer marketing team. eLocomotive will be taking on the web work and I’ll be helping with advice and recommendations along the way. I’m excited to work with such an experienced team and a company with a very bright future.
Mar/090
Work, work, work
Or should I say Sell, sell, sell. It seems like that’s all I’ve done lately. We made great gains in process and productivity last year. I’m very pleased with the gains we’ve made. In looking for gains this year, sales and marketing now stand out as areas for large potential gains.
With the work my team is doing, I’m finding time to refine our message, introduce some new revenue streams, and play with some exciting ideas. Even in the current down economy, I think we’ll see gains. We just have to keep improving and focus on our goals.