Documenting the program or application is always a good idea, it also helps if changes to the programs are documented, but having to write the specs to the smallest minutia is overkill. Unless, you are writing the specs for someone else that doesn't know your business or the next person in line shouldn't be in the position to start with.
Jerry Banker -----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 11:35 AM To: U2 Users List Subject: Re: [U2] Unibasic: Sample program - to extract data from Table 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. >> > > _______________________________________________ > U2-Users mailing list > U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org > http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users > > _______________________________________________ > U2-Users mailing list > U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org > http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users > > _______________________________________________ U2-Users mailing list U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users _______________________________________________ U2-Users mailing list U2-Users@listserver.u2ug.org http://listserver.u2ug.org/mailman/listinfo/u2-users
