For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

What Semantic Technology Means To Application Development Professionals

Semantic Technology Is Now Ready For Increased But Focused Use

by Dave West, October 2, 2009

Semantic technology has been incubating for the past 10 years, but most application development professionals view it with skepticism or outright distrust, believing that the dream of semantic technology is impractical in a time of stretched budgets and . . .

For Business Process & Applications Professionals

Lean: The New Business Technology Imperative

Lean Thinking Is Central To The Shift From IT To BT

by Connie Moore, Clay Richardson, John R. Rymer, Ted Schadler, Dave West, September 29, 2009

Everyone wants to be lean these days, whether when stepping off a scale in the morning or reviewing the cost of running a successful business. But just how do you define "Lean" — especially in the context of business and technology? Do you think of Lean . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Jeppesen's Customized Software Development Process Delivers Compliance And Flexibility

by Dave West, September 16, 2009

In the past 10 years, building highly complex navigation systems has become more difficult. New markets, technological advances, and new partnerships have increased product complexity, while intricate sourcing models and increasingly global development . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Software Size Matters, And You Should Measure It

Find The Right Software-Sizing Technique For Your Development Organization

by Mary Gerush, Dave West, July 27, 2009

It is critical for application development professionals to be able to effectively and objectively answer the question "how big is your software project?" in order to provide effective metrics, improve estimation practices, target improvement initiatives, . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Balance Architecture And Agility To Sustain Value Delivery

The Role And Value Of Architecture In Agile Software Development

by Dave West, July 10, 2009

Enterprise architects often criticize Agile methods because they perceive them as lacking architectural control or governance. This lack of control and governance arguably leads to systems that have higher operational costs and become increasingly difficult . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Best Practices: Software Development Processes

A Framework For Improving And Modernizing Your Software Development Life Cycle

by Dave West, April 15, 2009

Software development processes are in a state of transition, with lightweight Agile development approaches challenging traditional software development life cycles (SDLCs). Professional organizations add to the confusion with approaches such as The Project . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Case Study: Cynergy Employs Developer-Designers To Harness The Power Of RIAs

Resolving The Conflict Between Development And Design

by Dave West, April 15, 2009

With the advent of rich Internet applications (RIAs), Cynergy Systems had to change from a traditional software development house into a service provider that fuses design-house graphical flair with the virtues of traditional software development processes. . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Just Do It: Modernize Your Requirements Practices

Incorporate Agile Techniques To Better Meet Business Needs In Five Easy Steps

by Dave West, Mary Gerush, April 15, 2009

Developing sound requirements is one of the most important aspects of any software development project. When requirements are clear, concise, and comprehensive, all other aspects of the process are easier and more successful. But requirements approaches . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Case Study: Microsoft Speeds Tool Delivery With Agile Development

by Dave West, March 27, 2009

Microsoft's TeamArch, which is responsible for the Visual Studio Team System 2010 Architect product, faced multiple challenges that interfered with its ability to rapidly deliver a plug-in tool with the right capabilities. Some of the challenges included . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Ensure Success For Agile Using Four Simple Steps

A Simple Approach To Agile Adoption And Implementation

by Dave West, March 24, 2009

In the effort to improve the way applications professionals develop and deliver software, Agile methods focus on changing traditional software development and delivery activities, artifacts, and responsibilities. Application development professionals . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

The PMBOK And Agile: Friends Or Foes?

Reconcile The Tension Between The Two To Achieve A Healthy Balance

by Mary Gerush, Dave West, January 22, 2009

Development organizations strive to optimize software delivery. Application development leaders commonly use the Project Management Institute's A Guide To The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). They may also investigate Agile development methodologies . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Make Agile Lean To Boost Business Impact

How Lean Thinking Improves The Effectiveness Of Agile Development

by Dave West, December 17, 2008

Over the past five years, Agile development methods have become very popular, but their adoption can be problematic and difficult. Lean thinking focuses organizations on eliminating waste, motivating cross-functional teams, and delivering just what the . . .

For Application Development & Program Management Professionals

Lean Software Is Agile, Fit-To-Purpose, And Efficient

by John R. Rymer, Dave West, Mike Gilpin, December 12, 2008

Bloat kills. Whether it's excessive complexity in the application, its underlying platform or architecture, or the process used to deliver it, overloaded platform software and heavy processes impede delivery of the solutions the business demands. Yet . . .