2011 May

Guest Post by Edward Burns, Co-Founder of InterMedia4web. Twitter: TheEdwardBurns

Let’s face it: most software projects tend to bog down the energy, enthusiasm, and business goals that initially got everything going. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The goal of software project management, the Agile way, is to maintain a smooth and fun development experience by maintaining an easily understood and predictable road map for business owners, project managers & technical staff alike. Are you ready to have some fun? I know I am.

There are different flavors of Agile project management strategies, but the one that most successful development shops agree tends to produce the best result is called “SCRUM”. What does “SCRUM” stand for? Nothing really, it’s just a Rugby term. But for software developers you can think of it as a delicious layered cake with all of your favorite flavors and none of the calories.

We begin this SCRUM-licous layered cake as you would any other software project, by meeting with the client. In this fun and goal driven meeting, the project manager attempts to gain a thorough understanding of the business goals and business processes that the client (business owner) wants to achieve. Then the project manager translates those into “user stories” (aka features) which are how those business goals are achieved from the “user’s perspective”. After all, no business exists without customers.

The project manager enters the features/user stories into what is known as a Product Backlog in the tracking system as shown by the following screenshots from OnTime by Axosoft (a really great tool to use to keep track of your project – check them out http://axosoft.com/).

Each feature is assigned to a specific area of the overall project. For example a “Corporate Web Site” would have different folders that represent the different areas of the website:

Each area would have a list of features and whom they are assigned to:

After the features are categorized in order of priority you can assign them to delivery dates known as “Sprints” (aka Releases). Sprints typically last 2 weeks and the goal of each Sprint is to produce testable units of code at the end of the Sprint.

Using the “burn down chart” and planning board, you can easily track the progress of development in real-time and produce reports:

For convenience, when working with stakeholders like business owners, you can use your iPhone to gather the info necessary to keep your client well informed and happy:

Being that the planning board is web accessible, you can even do project planning on the go, including on an iPad or other tablet device:

So, next time you fear beginning a new software project, then fear no more and go get yourself a big serving of that SCRUM-licious cake!

Do you know what business you’re really in?

Many companies, particularly new ones, make the mistake of not understanding what their business really is. This lack of understanding or mis-understanding then cascades into a series of wrong decisions about their company’s branding, marketing, sales, and message.

It may seem obvious what business you are in – just take a look at what product or service you offer, right? If you manufacture toys, then your “business” is toys. If you are a CPA, then your “business” is accounting and tax preparation. But, is that really what your customers are looking for? No, they are looking to fulfill a need and satisfy an emotion.

Your toys provide parents with the enjoyment of seeing their child excited about a new toy and of the interaction they get to have with their child while playing together. Your “business” is family bonding.

Your accounting and tax services provide your clients with a deeper knowledge about how their company is doing and in what areas they can make improvements to their bottom line. Your “business” is providing companies with the information they need to make the best decisions for their business.

The key to understanding what business you are really in is to think about the need and emotion you are satisfying, rather than the “feature list” of what you provide.

Think about Starbucks. They became wildly successful because Howard Schultz, the CEO, knew that people could go to any number of places to get a cup of coffee (convenience stores, fast food chains, cafes), and at a cheaper price than he was selling. That’s why he made Starbucks about the experience (“the third place”), not about the drink or the price.

Starbucks’ “business” is not coffee; it’s about the emotions and senses you feel when you walk in – the vibrant, energetic pace, the smell of coffee brewing, the hip music and young workers. Even the shorthand they use to describe their drinks (“grande skinny vanilla latte, soy, double”) makes you feel part of the in-crowd once you learn it.

A couple of years ago, Starbucks began making and selling hot sandwiches in its cafes, hoping to increase revenue. However, it backfired because the cafes started smelling like cooked food rather than coffee and customers didn’t like it. So, Starbucks stopped selling them. They were reminded that their business is not coffee or food – it’s the experience.

Do you know what business you’re really in? I would love to hear from you – leave a comment or contact me directly!

Filed Under: Business ·