"What do you mean you need to push back the launch date?" Says the CEO. Says the CFO. Says the user community. CTOs Adil Rami France Jersey , CIOs, and all officers who oversee major development projects have had to deliver the dreaded message. But a deadline for the sake of a deadline is a dangerous pitfall that can consume an entire project and stymie it to the point that it never launches. Over the years I've come up with six simple rules that help deadlines become more meaningful, while keeping the developers, the user community, the CFO and the CEO all satisfied.
1. Always have minor version control throughout development. Group functional requirements into minor versions so that core functionality is prioritized and so that the entire development team is generally active on the same minor version.
2. Always target minor version releases every 2 to 4 weeks.
3. Always begin testing immediately once each minor version is complete.
4. Always prioritize bug-fixing to the highest level upon the completion of any testing.
5. Never allow a problematic functional enhancement to be a showstopper. Negotiate with the user community and the CFO or CEO for a delay in, or removal of Zinedine Zidane France Jersey , the delivery of that functionality.
6. Always launch the product on time - as long as the most recent fully completed minor version is functionally equivalent or better than the current production system. Launch it, no matter how far you are from 100% complete.
So I want you to launch an incomplete application? Let's just call it "functionally challenged". This is what I call the 70% solution. The deadline doesn't move and the developers deliver a fully tested, bug-fixed version on time and within budget. This gives management the opportunity to evaluate further investments into application functionality while reaping the benefits of any developments to date.
Don't blame the developers. It's more likely a project runs over budget and over deadline because of optimistic cost planning or scope creep than poor developer skills. Following these rules ensures delivery of the best product the development team can achieve within a set budget or period of time. Even in an environment where scope creep becomes a factor, escalating requirements can be scheduled into minor versions so they never hold back the launch of the "functionally challenged" application.
Testing? Who needs testing? So you didn't follow the six rules, you're past the code freeze date, and you're supposed to be in final testing but there are still more things to implement. The user community and the CEO want to know if you'll be able to launch on time regardless. That's when it hits you? if only we could "streamline" the testing phase we could still make it. Very bad idea. The cost of backing out due to insufficient testing can cost more than the project itself. Recently I witnessed a botched implementation of a customer service application that almost cost the company in question its three largest clients?and millions of dollars.
Work your mediation magic. Application development managers have to be part negotiator and part magician. They need to keep all sides happy Yohan Cabaye France Jersey , even if product expectations and budget restrictions are in conflict. No one really wants the 70% solution, but everyone can live with it. And when no one's 100% happy, you know you're probably doing it right.
Read more in Case in Point: "The Thursday Rule"
Skiing in La Plagne Doesn?t Have to Be Expensive Travel Articles | May 19, 2015
With some excellent last minute ski deals, unlike many of its high-end neighbours, there’s nothing too intimidating about La Plagne.
Look up any guides to the best skiing in the Alps and Steve Mandanda France Jersey , chances are, La Plagne will come in there somewhere. After it, it has all the statistics to back up its place among the best ski resorts in the world. That doesn’t mean, however, that it should cost an arm and a leg to have a great holiday there. With last minute ski deals, the right tour company Samuel Umtiti France Jersey , and some careful planning, you’ll find that a fabulous ski holiday on a budget is definitely doable.
About La Plagne
With a snow topped glacier at 3,250m and pistes that go all the way to up 1,250m, guaranteeing skiing from the doorstep, La Plagne’s 225km of marked runs and a cable car linking another 200km through its neighbour Les Arcs Raphael Varane France Jersey , La Plagne forms a major part of the most popular ski destinations in the Alps: Paradiski.
Composed of ten separate villages – six purposely built as ski villages (Plagne Centre, Plagne Villages, Aime 2000 and Plagne Soleil, Plagne 1800 and Belle Plagne), and four charming traditional farming villages (Montalbert, Montchavin Paul Pogba France Jersey , Les Coches and Champagny) – La Plagne offers a variety of experiences. There are plenty of affordable options for accommodation and skiing for those savvy enough to book last minute ski deals.
What to Expect
Unlike its high-end neighbours, there’s nothing too intimidating about La Plagne. Not the prices, nor the degree of difficulty of the skiing to be had. Should you among those who’ve managed to grab last minute ski deals to any of these villages, you’ll have your choice of wide, gentle slopes suited to holidaymakers with various degrees of expertise. And don’t worry, while most of the pistes are safe and easy Patrice Evra France Jersey , there are still a few for the daring and adventurous, too.