Novum Organum

How to maintain Slope on burn down chart

2009-04-02T23:05:00Z

We have a list of features, some of them are approved. Then we have a bunch of tasks, all have been estimated.
When we assigned to the developers, each of them starts with the specific task, it might sequencial or parallel, depend on how the project leader assign based on the design. But the tasks assignment must be structural, priority base and load share. The objective is to goal the Release Sprint, Release Version and Release Product appropriatelly as in the project big picture plan.

When the developers have been assigned, on several tasks, and they progressing. The tasks should be updated to make the burn down chart progressing. At least daily, but maybe better on each step they have made the things finished (particular works). It doesn't have to be on each 100% finished to update the task.

If it doesn't updated daily, then you can see your burndown chart (BDC) like this below.

You will see, the slope is jumps drop from long period stagnancy at top level. In this case in a week, the developer keep working on his tasks, and maybe 2-3 tasks have been done, but no task has been updated since task 1 or 2 finished. Then in the end of week, the dev update all finished tasks at a time, the burn down chart then jumps. This is not good.

We can't see the prediction of when the release will be ready as estimated before, and start guessing what are wrong; design? schedule? skillset?

The problem is, developer usualy thinks "I have to finish these, then update to the tasks assignments. I will then happy and my manager /supervisor will see it finally and happy". Wrong!
Also, if the reason is they have to be focus on the works, yes! it should be.. but spend a couple of minutes just to update the precentage of Progress or Estimated Remaining Time will not disturbing at all. That is the important thing. And simple!

If for some reason, a lot of tasks to do until we can't update the progress, then I suggest to use the automatic integrated tasks in IDE tool, to make it closer to the developers as in their code screen. Otherwise the project manager should slows down the task assignment , and find the matched rythm on the development speed... or think about resource replacement . Thats not good.

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Create "Project for Fun" as a regular base project to refresh developer's brain

2009-03-12T00:39:00Z

As we know, software projects usually take quite long period to finish the completed project, especially from medium to large scale project. And its been in recorded as yearly period in statistics. Relative to this kind of project, the other projects like building construction, even took longer period in average and they say its normal for 3-4 years period. But in the software development it is a bit different, because we invent on the pure brain of the developers. That is why software project seems has more risk on the time frame.
Boring on the project, might causing slow progressing, even drop on the quality, late delivery and finally might lost on the upcoming projects.

How we can cope that problem? First off all, we must identified how long in statistically the period of the project has started make the developers bore. A year? One and half?
Then how we can provide something to make them refreshed. Some company using switching with other developers between projects, some other go somewhere interesting place. Some of the companies also assumed that the developers are agreed in any conditions have to be ready and no bore!, by provide them good facilities like swimming pool, nice place.

But I have seen the good alternative on the "Project for Fun". What is this? This is a month period to create whatever project that developers want to create for their fun. Because actually their soul is still in coding activity and they also want to develop their skill up. They only boring with the current project day-by-day condition. The situation on the"Project for Fun" should very different with their daily have in the projects. My idea is they can work from everywhere, has an approved budget, should monitor on the progression by their own and should delivery on a month. But finally they must have been assessed and might result the acknowledge of the upgraded skill and maybe certified or any kind of rewarded.

By working on the "Project for Fun", from everywhere, they can work from the hotel, on the village while travelling, on the hill, nice. Two sides have been reached, refresh on the activity, refresh on the brain. I have done this my self couple times and for me this is good to bring the spirit back.

Some others think this is crazy, working while refreshing, but you can find this is interesting for some developers. They are really passionated on this kind things. No doubt they are the native programmers.

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Setup a free source code repository controller for software development team

2009-02-18T01:31:00Z

If you want to setup the software development team but your developers working from different locations, probably you might think how to setup and centralize the source code. Development tools like Visual Studio 2005 & 2008 with integration to TFS should cover this problem. Other development tools also have its own source controlling feature. But usually they required license and its pretty much expensive for small team - maybe.

There are a lot of source control tools outside and they are free, but have you got a nice combination with your current Visual Studio 2005 or 2008, licensed or the Express version, and you can add the plugin for subversion (SVN) into it, and the plug in is free. Get it from here http://ankhsvn.net/downloads/2.0/

Then you need the subversion server, and once again you can install the VisualSVN server with free license and you can download from here http://www.visualsvn.com/server/ . The plugin version of VisualSVN is licensed with $50 per seat.

For sure you also can use the stand alone subversion client like Tortoise SVN to manage the controlled file from Windows explorer.

By combining those tools above, you can build the team and start to develop whatever application with your team, working from everywhere.
Then you need to think how to communicate the requirements within your team, and I think you already have some ideas.

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Team Leader as a Project Dashboard

2008-07-10T02:28:00Z

If you are working in a Software Development project as a Team Leader or the equivalent for this position, you might always facing a lot of management questions like below:

When this module or feature will be completed?
How many resource do you need?
How is the progress?
Is there any issues?
How much defects we have found and fixed?
How is the defect trend?

When you have worked in a small project, without using a great tools like TFS, Code2Plan, Mingle or any other project management and monitoring tools, may be those questions will make your head exploded.. And the last question would become..

Are you OK?

Yes, because to prepare those answers, you will need a huge effort to do. And you will not have a time to touch the code. And maybe if your team is really need you as a team leader, then they might have uncontrolled works.

Those questions are normal because the stakeholder always want everything are undercontrol. And actually they want if any issues exists, those are need to be escalated therefore it will not become a time bomb. And whom are know the actual condition? It's you!

The problem is when we have minimum resources - especially on the senior level in a team, which should give a lot effort on the technically and core works, but also have to be able to answer those questions.

To be able to show the dashboard view of the project we have to think how to merge those spreaded information into some simple view, and has strong information.

The answer is on the tools. What the tools you are using? are the tools coverage all of the software development lifecycle? are they integrated? let's check what the tools you are using at the moment... Software Requirements Specification, Software Design, Detail Design, Features, Stories, Tasks, Defects, Test, Tracking System, Build, etc.. are those linked and traceable? can you view those in a single workspace shared for the whole team?

In those great tools, you can see those view in very clear workspace. Project Dashboard, Wall Card, Iteration view, Features tree, traceability for all aspects, Scope added and completeness chart, Burn down chart, those work items are linked in the development tools like Visual Studio as an add in. Some of free version has less functionalities but the concept to merge all software lifecycle aspects are the main idea.

Use your tools, don't loss your huge effort to answer those 'grey area' questions. Cheers.

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Worry on our fresh graduate competencies

2008-07-09T23:45:00Z

I'd rather worry on our current IT major fresh graduate competencies.
When I've had a recruitment road show, I found many fresh graduates from various famous universities in Surabaya, Bandung, and Jakarta. They are coming from Informatics, Computer Technique, Electro, Physics, Math and Agriculture majors. I am glad to see that our IT career made them interesting from various major backgrounds.On the Technical Test result, surprisingly that most of candidates have failed. They even can't answer the basic questions. Just a few potential candidates we have process to our next recruitment process.But the point is that I and my manager have disappointed on the most have GPA > 3.0 candidates from some good universities /institutes, with an A or B grade on OOP subject and didn’t know anything on How to Use OOP. Even in a very simple analogy. But, if they learn on a very theoretical OOP, I believe they should clearly think and got ideas of inheritance, encapsulation and polymorphism. Because we had given too much help and guidance while they have answering, and we are closed to frustrate.

I wonder how they’ve got A J

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Team Spirit is the key to your successfully Projects... and Game

2008-06-23T02:54:00Z

One of my favorite coaches has finally brought his team to the semi final of Europe 2008.

As in my predictions, this old man has used his surprisingly strategic to face against the Total Football jargon owner - Nederland, which actually he is also part of that strategic. He has very deep understanding on the rival's patterns, characters, even has been brought and dynamically changed by young potential coach Van Basten.

With enthusiasm players, not as famous as the rivals, Russian team gives the fantastic game. I noticed that the Spirit of each player is the most important aspects instead of well-known personalities in world football celebrities. And the combination of skill shared load this will become a solid team and success.

See on the opposites, when another favorite coach, as a good and progressive football team architect brings a very potential team Portugal until has been down by fully engineered team Germany. The team was playing in the best performance but I saw there was an “X” factor which caused the team not as solid as before. It might be the coach movement to Chelsea on this upcoming July.

The other sample of good team player spirits is when the Spain against Italy last night.

Keep fight my Russian and Guus Hiddink, keep spirit to challenge the Van Basten, and you are still one of my favorite coach Scolari.
Let see how the best Team Spirit we got from Spain vs Russian, against the fully engineered team - Germany in the Final euro 2008 (if Germany make it J)

And to my team and colleagues, the wise word is: "Team Spirit is the key to your success, even under the best coach you ever had, without the team spirit you will got an unsuccessfully game".

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Software Value Up is Delicious

2008-06-17T08:43:00Z

We meet again!

I have been finalizing the project of my offshore client. But the important things are not the finalization, I am concerning on the Software Value Up concept. I believe most of methodologies actually agree that delivery is very important thing in the software process. As well as frequent deliverable then followed by client's feedback will makes the value of software better and better. ALM said that it is true and it is part of the concept Software Value Up. In most of Agile references also says that frequent delivery is the important thing.

Don't be affraid with the not completed features of initial deliverables. Some project's sponsor, management, team members and even customer should has commitment with the way software growing. It's value has progressing, improved, stabilizing, and the final it will reach acceptance level that comfort to all stakeholders.

Configuration management is another side to make the successfully frequent delivery. As well as the build process as it would be a continuous and frequent build. Within the good support, we must able to handle some worst scenario says if we have to move back to previous release due to critical problem.

Looks like an ideal scenario, but it really make sense to make it works.
And my client is happy to get the release better and better ...

Cheers,

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Why mostly Software Projects are always late?

2008-03-06T08:03:00Z

In the middle of seclusion day, I'd like to write a good question to be thinked of. This article title is that question.
Maybe this question always set in my mind or yours along years. Actually I will very happy if I can buy this book, or someone already have it and will let me borrow it. But I believe the problem can be solved even without that book as we are day to day in a real world of Software Project. At least we've started to analyse it.

Using ordered case per case analysis writing style, based on priority, I'll bring you to the real world of Software Project Implementation problems are commonly faced and you might get the answer.

Wrong Software Implementation Estimation!
The most important problem when your schedule is late is the wrong estimation on how your tasks being estimated before the project is started.
Mostly software estimation has been done using "Construct only estimation" model.
Actually an implementation in software development consist of the following sub-tasks:

Designs study
Requirements study
Construct /System Intregation
Code Review
Unit Test

We will try to using this below configuration, this configuration may apply to simple task
-10% - Designs study
-10% - Requirements study
-60% - Construct /System Intregation
-10% - Code Review
-10% - Unit Test

If a task has been estimated to complete within 1 man day, then it has 8 hours and in detail it should become:
-Designs study (0.8 hour)
-Requirements study (0.8 hour)
-Construct /System Intregation (4.8 hours)
-Code Review (0.8 hour)
-Unit Test (0.8 hour)

If you have difficulty in how to imagine the one set tasks above, you can simply imagine it using extrapolation from Construct only estimation.
If you imagine a task will be completed in 6 hours, then extrapolate it to configuration 10,10,60,10,10; and you will get: 6 hours / 60% = 10 hours total.
And the other sub-tasks will get 1 hour each (10%).

Your configuration may vary with various complexities and difficulties as well as the type of task. But you can average them using your experiences.

If you estimated the task and already concerned with the sub-tasks in Software implementation, but your schedule still late! What next?

Software Developer Skill Set
Software Estimation is relatively apply to various skill level of Software Developer. On each task estimation, you have to estimate the task using a skill set from whom /which level it will be done.

Don't estimate the task will be done by you!
Don't estimate using: "Ahh.. this is a simply one.. I'll done in 2 hours"
You must imagine the task will be done by a skill level, say: Fresh Junior Developer, two years Experienced Junior Developer, Senior Developer, or using specific company Software Engineer development stage.

But an experienced Software Engineer /Developer which a good quality must know about the words of Expectation, Un-supervised, Innovative, Initiative, Trustworthiness. Read this article in Bahasa if youd like. This statement must be a good point to think twice when an experienced Software Engineer /Developer would say about his quality and his late! :)
(I would like to write some tips for Software Engineer /Developer to be able to Drive Your Tasks, not being driven by your task.)

You already estimated the task and considered using a skill set of Software Developer, but you still late! What next?

Software Developer Personality
This aspect is rather difficult than the others. Because the personality is depends on uniquality of each developers as a person.
There are a lot of factors that affect in this aspect, emotional, personal problem, health, girl friend, family, etc.
But I believe you must have some personality approaches to cover and maybe help them to solve the problems. Not only your leadership they are need, they also required your personality approach especially if they face a problem and need help.
In this case we are all need a good communication skill.

Your team developer personality is good, but your schedule still late! What next?

Resource Replacement
Think about the Resource Replacement. This is the last choice, but things to consider; The benefit or disadvantage using the new fresh Resource.
You must have time allocation for the New Resource Project Familiarization, simple training, etc. and it should not interfere the current running schedule.

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How to publish a single dynamic service and utilize Generics

2008-02-12T09:40:00Z

If you want to provide a single - dynamic service and utilize the power of Generics, you probably will create the Generic method something like this;

public bool Update<T>(T updatedItem) {...}

And someday you'll probably need to publish this service to be able to participate in Serialization as well as Deserialize them (maybe through the WebService). You will need something like this below service to make similiar to the generic method in the serialization communication by passing the type as a parameter.

[WebMethod(MessageName = "Update", EnableSession = true)]
public bool Update(string entityType, string stringXml)
{
...
}

The type of entity might need to be passed as well as the serialized entity in xml through the service parameters.

You will then call the generic method which has been provided before. Nice, but the problem now is how to translate the entityType which is supplied as string to be T as a generic type in Update<T>?

By using the Reflection, you will now can utilize the MethodInfo and MakeGenericMethod to be invoked as a generic method. However you also need to deserialize the serialized object that was supplied as string xml before passing it in to the generic method.

MethodInfo serializerMethod = typeof(ObjectSerializer).GetMethod("DeserializeObject");
MethodInfo serializerMethodBound = serializerMethod.MakeGenericMethod(domainType);
object objDeserialized = serializerMethodBound.Invoke(null, new object[] { stringXml });MethodInfo synchMethod = typeof(ISynchronization).GetMethod("Update");
MethodInfo synchMethodBound = synchMethod.MakeGenericMethod(domainType);
synchMethodBound.Invoke(m_UpdaterService, new object[] { objDeserialized }); //this is the same as you call the Update<T> method

The T will be supplied as Type in MakeGenericMethod. And you will now able to use generic method and publish it into serialize-deserialize communication environment.
This could be helpful when you want to provide a single and dynamic service to be used to transfer the unlimited type to the service provider using the power of generics.

Cheers,...

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Re: Can architecture create a gap between developers and software they build?

2007-12-21T09:55:00Z

"Architecture based on such approach tends to simplify developers work through abstaction. If this is pushed to the extreme, developers tasks are taken out of functional context to become purely technical, which can potentially create a gap between developers and the software they are working on" ...

I don't agree with Sadek Drobi's statement in his article.

From my point of view, a good architecture will put the first priority in covering all aspects of functional and non functional requirements from the business need. It should simplify of all reusable components, put an abstraction level, hardly think about objects management againts the performance, using best practices of design pattern, etc.
I don't agree that would potentially create a gap if, there are good communications between architects and developers. They should have the same perspectives, commitment of quality, as well as skill development.
I believe if there is a good environment in projects communication management, there will be no gap but a good quality software.

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Particular Agile in Software Development Process

2007-12-19T02:44:00Z

I am the one that agree with the statement "there are particular agile methodology inside adopted software development methodology". In fact the term agile is commonly used, but it could be applied on one of software development methodologies that popular currently.

I found and experienced while adopting one of them, I have been used Iterative methods such as RUP with adjustment on specific company's software process, and there we are still need particular agile implementation inside as specified as agile methodology is "light-weight methodology" to gain lighter, faster and more people centric approach.
Practically we have to make the software requirements, software design, software testing and project time management as well as communication should be more agile instead of applying the whole adopted software development process as is.

Conclusion, we can apply "case by case" methods to meet our need during software development process. The one that good for us should be comfort to be followed by the team member, as well as the stakeholders.

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Thanks God I have a time to start blog again

2007-12-19T01:04:00Z

For the past 2 years I have been almost vacuum in bloging. I have done posting such as only once for two-three months in average. My job required concentrating and focus in the construction.. hmm.. so bad in time management

Starting now I hope I can give more concern in writing. Hopefully not because of my job is slowing down but time management should be better.

I was surprised that .NET bloggers growing faster and faster at the moment.. now you can see so many good articles here.. Makes me passionate to follow the others..

Hopefully these activity can brings up our competency in the global market of Software Engineer from Indonesia.. in fact its starting at the moment.. keep

Ciaoo..

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Software Programmer Professionalism

2007-05-26T06:47:00Z

Aku berpikir bahwa gap antara coding skill /keahlian memprogram dan professional programmer ini cukup jauh. Kebanyakan programmer lebih focus ke coding skill terlebih dahulu dan baru kemudian mempelajari ke-professional-an untuk berusaha menjadi professional programmer. Kalau dia sempat, tetapi kalau tidak?

Karena kecenderungannya adalah teknologi pemrograman tidak akan berhenti berkembang dan programmer dituntut belajar terus, dan terus, dan terus hanya menjadi programmer biasa.

Apa itu professional programmer?

The term of professionalism, secara umum lebih sering dikaitkan dengan bagaimana orang dapat menghasilkan uang dengan keahliannya. Menurutku tidak hanya sampai di situ.

Seorang mahasiswa TI, mencoba membuat program karena pesanan dari ayah temannya, dan dia mendapatkan imbalan. Even an employee of a software house, apakah dia sudah termasuk professional programmer?

Beberapa hal yang harus mulai dipikirkan untuk menjadikan programmer berkualitas professional adalah:

Trustworthiness. Bagaimana kita bisa dipercaya untuk menyelesaikan task tanpa perlu dicek lagi oleh atasan atau tanpa supervisi. Apakah kita bisa dipercaya untuk mau meminta tolong jika menghadapi kesulitan?
Teamwork, sudah jelas.
Leadership, sudah jelas.
Communication. Bagaimana menjaga komunikasi yang baik antara client, team, dan stake holders. Tanpa komunikasi tidak akan ada teamwork. Tanpa komunikasi, juga software requirements and specs tidak menjadi jelas,
Updating Skill. Untuk bisa tetap mengikuti perkembangan teknologi pemrograman dan IT, kita seharusnya tetap up-date skill kita, at least about it’s concept. Programmer yang terbaguspun masih tetap akan belajar.
Minimizing Risks. Perencanaan yang jelas akan software process, planning, design, tracking, dokumentasi, dan matrix akan sangat membantu untuk meminimalisasi risk yang kemungkinan akan terjadi.
Accountability. Adalah tanggung jawab yang besar terhadap pembangunan sebuah system software. Bagaimana membuat semuanya dapat bekerja reliable, sesuai dengan apa yang diinginkan client. Bahkan memuaskan.

Menurutku seharusnya hal-hal di atas mulai dipikirkan. Agar programmer menjadi benar-benar professional. Bukan sekedar kuli keyboard dan buku bermodal otak dan logika canggih. Targetnya bukan hanya di sana sebenarnya. Karena professionalism is general, bukan hanya milik dunia IT dan software saja.

Manakala otak kita sudah mulai tak layak pakai? Logika canggihpun sudah lupa? Bagaimana bisa menyelesaikan software problem dengan cepat? Apa yg bisa kita harapkan lagi?

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Summary Aggregate Entity to cater aggregate entity CRUD enhancement

2007-02-06T03:11:00Z

Mungkin teman2 sering mengalami ke-kurang-puasan dalam menggunakan Entity classes dan aggregate entity dengan CRUD sebagai method standard accessing ke database, khususnya di architecture ORM.
Ya. CRUD memang dimaksudkan untuk standard basic accessing ke database yg mana meliputi operasi Create-Retrieve-Update-Delete. Semua access data memang berasal dari ke-4 operasi standard itu.

Tetapi sekarang kita bermain dengan Relational Database, memanfaatkan single Entity saja tidak cukup dan mostly tidak akan cukup. Data kita hampir semuanya memiliki relation, seperti Order dan Customer, Order dan Product, etc.
Lalu, bagaimana cara kita mengambil relational data itu?

Lazy Load approach kebanyakan dipakai sebagai solusi. Untuk mengambil informasi "Order bulan ini", kita akan me-Load data Order - based on criteria bulan ini, lalu diikuti Load data Customer dan atau Product.
    OrderList orders = OrderRepository.GetOrderList(startDate, endDate);
kemudian mungkin akan anda lakukan load data Customer per Order pada waktu ItemDataBound atau iterasi.
    Order order = (Order)e.Item.DataItem;
    Customer cust = order.Customer;
Kemudian anda bisa dapetkan dan bind ke control info Customer nya.
Working!

Summary Aggregate Entity approach. Ini dimaksudkan untuk mengcover kebutuhan enhance dari sekedar CRUD untuk relational dan aggregate entities yang sudah ada. Dengan summary aggregation entities anda bisa create satu class untuk menggabungkan relational dr beberapa entity /tabel dan melakukan Load data cukup sekali saja. Katakan kita create class OrderSummary adalah 1st class summary aggregate entity. Kemudian kita create class OrderSummaryResult sebagai data containernya yang merupakan denormalized dari Order. Di sisi database kita create View untuk representasi relational data kita yg lebih dari sekedar query biasa. Di dalamnya kita bisa lakukan JOIN untuk data2 related yg diperlukan.
Lalu bisa juga create class-class OrderSpecification, OrderTemplate sebagai parameter criteria. Dan tentu class-class supporting yg lain.
    OrderSpecification orderSpec = new OrderSpecification(startDate, endDate);
    orderSpec.Status = OrderStatus.Delivered;
    OrderSummaryResultList results = OrderSummary.SearchOrder(orderSpec);
    dgOrderSummary.DataSource = results;

Efeknya adalah biasanya kita akan memanfaatkan ini untuk ReadOnly access. Biasanya Report, atau Rich Info Display, Summarization, etc.
Untuk Modify data, kita bisa tetap memakai aggregate entity class Order dan its related entities.
Working with just only one database query...
And.. I think it's more elegance..

Di level Enterprise Architecture, approachment seperti ini bisa berupa Entity Aggregation Layer.
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms978573.aspx

Cheers

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Being as an Architect is not the same path with Project Management has

2007-01-26T06:17:00Z

One of my Manager said : "now you are as an architect and will be on the track of project management. All of your technical competencies are not the matter to be measured on the next year".

What??!.. This is not the way I am think about as being an Architect - which has different path with project management.. architectural is all about arts with technical foundation that never stop and passionated in researches and developments. Whilst the project management is all about managing the projects.
But, if we've required to left the technical competencies? ...thats not as an architect anymore...
So being an architect must know the project management behaviour but being in project management not required to know anything about architectural even technical. As long as he/she good in managing people, he/she will be a good in project managements.

But, seems the competency need to do that way.
I know that every company would have try to find the most effective way having as much as possible people which good in architectural or technical and good in project management. Some people can do that and that's challanging.

Hmm.. let me try my best..

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