Swim Lane Diagrams

Since when did Swim Lane Diagrams take the place of more rigorous Software Engineering Requirements gathering models like: Process Models, Data Relationship Models, State Transition Diagrams, Use Cases and Event Models? I’ve been managing several smaller projects lately and if they have any kind of Analysis efforts and documented Requirements, they are only represented inContinue reading “Swim Lane Diagrams”

What do seven Y’s spell??

REQUIREMENTS! When someone tells you they have a need, you should be able to investigate that original statement with about seven (7) Why’s before they get bored or frustrated with your interest. I need a daily spending report! Why Daily? Why only spending? Why only ONE day? Why not a Rolling Daily Report of 5Continue reading “What do seven Y’s spell??”

What Users Say Translated to Software Engineering!

I need a report that shows me how much I spent yesterday! Not an atypical ‘requirement’ from a business users’ point of view, huh?  What do you as a Software Engineer DO with this and similar statements? Let’s start with a couple of questions that we can use to expand and clarify on a statementContinue reading “What Users Say Translated to Software Engineering!”

Software Engineering: How do you start?

There are interesting challenges in applying the art and science of Engineering Disciplines to Software Analysis and Design. If we accept the notion that we need as complete a collection of Requirements as possible either for a full blown application solution (change or new) or a SPRINT to add functionality to either an existing applicationContinue reading “Software Engineering: How do you start?”

The First 90 Days

When I have been asked what I would do in the first 90 days of a new project as the Project Manager, my responses have typically included some or all of the following as a “Self-Orientation Start Up Plan”: 1) Gather the latest project documentation available from the following sources: a) Portfolio Management files forContinue reading “The First 90 Days”

Ever Present Project Management Risks

Every project has Risks associated with the delivery of the Business Solution. These need to be discovered as part of the Project Submission process and continue to be anticipated and discovered during the ultimate execution and delivery of the requested business solution. However, I also believe there are Project Management Risks that are inherent inContinue reading “Ever Present Project Management Risks”

The first computer bug – TODAY’s the day

Check this out about the first actual computer bug ever recorded: http://www.computerhistory.org/tdih/September/9/ bgbg

Process Modeling

Flowcharts, Data Flow Diagrams, Swim Lane diagrams, Use Cases and other constructs have been used to reflect what a Business or Systems Analyst thinks the client is describing when they talk about Business Process and the use of information in the conduct of their business. These diagrams have structure, syntax, and rules that have beenContinue reading “Process Modeling”