Many software development and management methods are founded on a basic assumption – that constructing software is rather like building a bridge or a house. Once we’ve “done the design”, actually generating the software ought to be a completely predictable, relatively low-skilled process. However four decades of failure to achieve this vision might suggest that we should revisit
the assumption.
In a paper entitled “The New Methodology” Martin Fowler, the guru of object-oriented development, suggests a couple of reasons why this might be.
My article answers Martin’s, suggesting a couple of other considerations, and whether we have to completely abandon the physical construction analogy as a result.
Read the full article
I recently attended a day of the Butler Group “Application Development Strategies” Symposium. I’ve just posted a short report on some of the more interesting discussions and presentations. Almost all of the presentations shared a reminder that we still have Continue reading →
I’ve just posted my review of this wonderfull book, by one of the world’s greatest leaders. The book is exciting, inspiring and, most of all, fun. I urge you to read it (and my review)! Continue reading →
Wednesday, May 18, 2005 in
Reviews,
Thoughts on the World
Microsoft have just published an excellent paper by Kim Cameron discussing the characteristics of an “identity metasystem” which must evolve if we are to have proper trust in the Internet and interactions which take place through it. The paper is Continue reading →
I’ve just read a wonderful paper by Guy L Steele, “Growing a Language“. He argues strongly that programming languages must be “small”, but able to grow. Such a language will have a relatively simple structure, syntactic rules, and a small Continue reading →
I’ve just posted my review of “Real Options”, a book about financial market techniques to put a quantitative value on the benefits of flexibility. Unfortunately I was rather disappointed by the book – read my review to find out why. Continue reading →
Monday, May 2, 2005 in
Reviews
I’ve just posted my reviews of two excellent books by Rob Eastaway and Jeremy Wyndham. “Why Do Buses Come In Threes?” and “How Long is a Piece of String?” The messages of these books are that mathematics is important to Continue reading →
Integration, like other design activities, can benefit from sharing ideas and proven strategies in the form of patterns. An excellent starting point is Gregor Hohpe and Bobby Woolf’s Enterprise Integration Patterns website and book. In my recent work I’ve discovered Continue reading →
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