Letters to a New Developer by Dan Moore

Author:Dan Moore
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781484260746
Publisher: Apress

Have the client sign off on them.

Design the program.

Code the application.

Test it.

Deploy the system.

Handle any changes that the client wants.

This is a fluid business process. If I learn I need additional requirements or have questions after I have started coding, I send an email and ask.

There are also constraints on this process, which dictate what can be accomplished when. For example, client sign-off blocks subsequent steps—I won’t move forward without it. Not all steps of a process need to be completed, either. If I can’t write COBOL, but the application is written in that language, the above process will not be completed, at least not by me. I won’t be deploying a code change if I can’t make it. All parties to this business process work within those constraints.

The goal of using software to automate business processes is to make them faster or cheaper. For example, using mail merge saves time when printing out form letters. Automating processes with software has costs, however. Mistakes happen faster as well. People’s ability to handle ambiguity and make human decisions is removed from the process. Processes also become more difficult to change. Instead of changing a document or checklist, a developer must be involved.

So, what happens when a business process should change but has been encoded in software? People are more flexible than computers, so they adjust to the automated process, even if it is partially or completely obsolete. It may force employees to take extra steps or use workarounds. However, if it isn’t worth the investment to change, the software “solution” remains, clogging up the business processes it was meant to assist.

Software can handle vast amounts of data with few errors at superhuman speeds. But it also crystallizes business processes, making change harder. If, like me, you think software is the solution to most business problems, realize that nonengineers understand the downsides and are justifiably wary of software panaceas.

Sincerely,

Dan

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