Swanson's Rules

Check out Bill Swanson's Rules of Management at Reforming Project Management. If you ask nicely (or fill our their web form), Raytheon will send you a copy of the rules. I've also created an MS Word version that prints nicely onto 7 3" x 5" notecards.

Features, Features, Features

Multiple Choice Quiz

Which of the following statements is true:
A) One of the exciting things about writing software is all the cool features that you get to add.
B) One of the most dangerous things about writing software is all the cool features that you get to add.
C) All of the above.

As anyone whose ever fallen six months behind on a two week project knows, the answer is "C".
The Tightrope
As I work to get the first testable release of GT-Zen out the door, I find myself walking a very narrow tightrope. On one side is the dull and unprofitable world of boring software. Software without any cool features simply isn't interesting. People won't pay to be bored, so I've got to make sure that the package has some treats to draw users in. On the other side is the chasm of endless features. Between skype integration, outbound text messaging, drag-and-drop in basket sorting, I could be programming to the end of time and never sell a damn thing. I'm sure that I'd have a great time doing it, but having a great time doesn't put food on the table.

The Balancing Act
So how do I stay on the tightrope. I use my feet, my eyes, and my gut. First I keep moving. Every day I make sure that I'm stepping forward through the program. If I find myself stepping to the side, then I better correct quickly, because stepping off the tightrope is a mistake you make only once.

How do I know that I'm moving forward and not to the side? I use my eyes. I focus on my target and refuse to be distracted. Every time someone says "Wouldn't it be cool if...", I refuse to turn my head. I hear them, and I mentally file the idea away, but I don't let myself become instantly distracted. I know that if my eyes turn to the side, then my feet will surely follow.

How do I know where the target is? That's the magic of the gut. Some people may use their brains here, but I can't work that way. If I'm going to be successful in this endeavor, then I need to trust that I can quickly and confidently decide what direction I need to be taking and stick to it. I use words like simple & focused to describe my target software, but those terms are really fuzzy and won't lead two people to the same place. When deciding where my next target is, I just make a decision and stick with it.

Right or wrong, I have to trust myself and I have to go for it. So that's how I'm navigating this tightrope and here's to hoping that I don't fall off.