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Tag Archives: software

Software excellence: Use the tools you have

Posted on by Posted in Microsoft Solution Frameworks, Scrum, Software Development Leave a comment

I was checking out Linkedin updates yesterday, and found this long running discussion on Linkedin around software tools.  What was intriguing to me was a post on TFS (Click here). I was reminded of a not-to-distant time when I was guilty. We have a problem that we need to solve, and the latest software product is the answer. I admit that this has happened to me a time or two. While the main focus in the above post is using Microsoft’s Team Foundation Server to it’s fullest extent, I think the bigger question is do we use the software we have to its fullest extent. Probably not.

Organizationally, we come up with some crazy excuses for buying something new, when in reality, we should be looking at how we use what we have. Here are some of the excuses I have heard:

  1. We need product xyz, because what we have doesn’t work the way we do.
  2. What? I didnt know we had a load testing tool.
  3. We need product xyz because it is cool.
  4. It is way to expensive to buy the new version.
  5. Our competitor uses Safesforce.com, so we must as well.

I am not saying that these are the only reasons. I am sure there are plenty more that have been put out there. I have taken to asking myself would I make the same decision if I was spending my own money? Most of us, me included, tend to make different decisions if we are spending our own money. When you hear one of the five excuses, challenge them. Your budget is tight, so make good use of what you have. Look at your existing tools. What can they do for you?

Thanks for coming in today.
Chris

Narrowing the field.

Posted on by Posted in Business Musings Leave a comment

Let me start off by apologizing for the sports anology.  I can’t help myself on this one.

Hollywood, as only Hollywood can, loves to glamorize obtaining focus by including scenes in sports movies. My favorite example is in the movie “For Love of The Game.” Kevin Costner uses the term “Clear the Mechanism” to force himself to concentrate on throwing strikes. Another favorite of mine is “Bagger Vance“.  There is a scene where Bagger Vance (Will Smith) helps Randolph Junea (Matt Damon) see the golf course in a completely different way.  (BTW, if you haven’t seen these movies, click on the movie names above to go to YouTube to watch these scenes.)

I don’t have a phrase that helps me, but wouldn’t that be nice.  How simple would it be when you have that RFP to respond to?  How about finishing off part of that to-do list that keeps getting bigger and bigger?  “Clear the mechanism”……  I have said that phrase each of the three times I have rewritten this post.  Doesn’t work for me.  

However I do have friends who are my “Bagger Vance”.  My friends each have their own point of view that helps me see a different part of the course from another perspective. My wife, Tina, helps me see the emotional side of me differently. My teammate, Jeff Dunn, helps me see the world I work in differently. My buddy, Dale Hite, acts as my sprirtual advisor and provides that perspective that only a buddy can. Senior Pastor Dave Crandall (The other 5%!) speaks to me every Sunday in the middle of our worship service, while the rest of the congregation is kind enough to sit in their seats patiently during our one-way conversation.

Focus and perspective are difficult to find on your own.  In the complex world in which we live in, we each need to find and hold onto those who help us see the course differently.

Thanks for coming in today.

Chris

Quote: Albert Einstein on Insanity

Posted on by Posted in Business Musings 1 Comment

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein

I love this quote. It seems to fit life, business and people perfectly. We, as humans, can help ourselves. Most people don’t like change, so they make the same mistakes over and over again.  I am as guilty as the next guy.  I have struggled with weight for years, yet I often revert back to the same bad habits over time.  Nobody else is forcing me to eat that ice cream cone. 

If you are in a rut and you don’t like the way your life is going, then change.  You are the only one that can.   Quit doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
Regards,
Chris

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