John, I agree that listening to the super users is critical. However,
writing a detailed spec will give those super users the ability to review
the spec, add their 'second thoughts' (and the "wow, this is really cool -
could it also do this?" ideas before the files are designed and the code
written, and really does not take a lot of time. It ensures that the coding
team all understand all the aspects of the project the same way. So even
with super users, I always waited for a sign-off on the detailed spec before
laying out the files and writing the code. I had clients that I worked with
for years, and knew their business very well, but taking the time to write a
detailed spec was never a waste of my time.
I am glad for you that your system works well, but I hope I never have to
come in after you all retire! ;-)
Susan Lynch
----- Original Message -----
From: "Israel, John R." <johnisr...@daytonsuperior.com>
To: "U2 Users List" <u2-users@listserver.u2ug.org>
Sent: 10/14/2009 12:14 PM
Subject: Re: [U2] Unibasic: Sample program - to extract data from Table
You cannot buy knowledge of a business. Experience with a technology:
yes. Knowledge of how a specific company works: no. That only comes with
time working at that site.
A key to our success is having super-users that really know how the
business works, how the software works, and the ability to clearly
describe how they want things enhanced. The other half of this coin is
having programmer/analysts that understand what the user wants, where the
data is stored (or will need to be stored), who ask the right questions,
and can work with those super-users. Our users are very happy with what
we produce. We have a small U2 team, but a well seasoned team.
I rarely have specs and never very detailed. It is all screen shots with
hand written notes that come from a meeting or two with the super-users.
Requests from non-super-users must go through the super-users. It is my
job to understand what they want (which is usually, but not always what
they ask for).
However, not every business will have these conditions. Contractors have
it even tougher since they may have little knowledge of the business they
are trying to help.
Just my experience...
John Israel
-----Original Message-----
From: u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org
[mailto:u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org] On Behalf Of Susan Lynch
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 12:00 PM
To: U2 Users List
Subject: Re: [U2] Unibasic: Sample program - to extract data from Table
As a programmer who has had to maintain and enhance systems that were
written apparently based on a one-page spec that "everyone on the team"
understood, when the team members are no longer there, and the
documentation
was all between their ears (and left with them), I am a big believer in
detailed written specs that get turned into test plans and then into
documentation.
Eventually the lack of specs turns around and bites the organization that
allowed it to happen (unless the application was a one-time
quick-and-dirty
project that will never have to be resurrected).
Susan Lynch
----- Original Message -----
From: "jpb-u2ug" <jpb-u...@hotmail.com>
To: "'U2 Users List'" <u2-users@listserver.u2ug.org>
Sent: 10/14/2009 8:18 AM
Subject: Re: [U2] Unibasic: Sample program - to extract data from Table
Alleluia! Brother!
Jerry Banker
-----Original Message-----
From: u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org
[mailto:u2-users-boun...@listserver.u2ug.org] On Behalf Of Symeon Breen
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 5:00 AM
To: 'U2 Users List'
Subject: Re: [U2] Unibasic: Sample program - to extract data from Table
Exactly - i still stick to the belief that a small team of highly skilled
programmers will code quicker from a single page spec than a thousand low
quality coders using a high detail spec. Many an institution disagrees,
or
rather has been stung by smaller teams giving promises that they can then
not deliver, I suppose this is what bureaucracy is all about, something
simple runs perfectly until someone slips up, then all hell breaks loose
and
15 procedures are put into place and before you know it you have a team
of
20 doing what one guy did all on his own.
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