Category: Significant Articles

  • Have you heard about Extreme Programming?

    This month I attended a social event on application and software development within the commercial IT industry. We were discussing the software and system development process. One gentleman, a developer and programmer, stated that many companies still seem to focus on Implementation without understanding how important it is to transition to design and implementation with…

  • Program and Project Management. Is There A Difference? Yes There Is…

    There is a difference but some professionals in the IT industry seem to think program management is just managing multiple projects. A Program and Project Manager may or may not be certified. Program Management Program management is the management of multiple related projects, a system or systems, and not just multiple projects. A Program Manager…

  • Documenting Lessons Learned

    Documenting lessons learned. It’s a day to day attitude and activity. Based on the number of failed IT projects for the past decade it seems that transfer of knowledge and feeding back (sharing) lessons learned, did not take place. Frequently we see lessons learned not identified, discussed, documented and archived on a continuous or daily…

  • As a high school student how do I get more involved with computers, learn about and receive more education in information technology?

    Most schools have computers, but if by chance yours does not, hopefully there is one in your home. Either way here are some suggestions and recommendations. Become, if you\’re not, computer literate, involved to learn to use a computer Talk to your counselor/advisor, technical/computer teachers, and others about careers in Information Technology Inquire about 2-4…

  • Do the “Right Thing” for your project, the customer, the company, and yourself…

    We are into the 21st century. Do the “Right Thing” for your project, the customer, the company, and yourself. If not, it has consequences as we all have/are seeing. It’s the ethical thing to do, maintain your integrity and the company’s credibility.

  • How to Keep Your Sanity and Health Through These Difficult Times.

    Now, getting back to these difficult and hard times. I know many are trying to move forward by maintaining current employment or dealing with being laid-off, getting that next job or changing careers. Through it all, you must include activities to maintain your mental and physical health. Some are listed below. Have a daily routine…

  • Beyond Project Close Out

    Recently, I received several emails and telephone calls to discuss a problem with a web site requiring revising or revamping and applications requiring modification, enhancement or replacement after the projects had closed and warranty periods had expired. The changes or request for changes seems to have been announced without prior notice or discussion with key…

  • There are NO MORE EXCUSES for project FAILURE!!

    Eddie R. Williams, PMP Book Title: Software/Firmware Configuration Management (Within the System Development Process) Subtitle: Management Control & Quality Being an IT professional for over 20 years and now a published author and coach, I became very concerned about the high failure rate of projects within the IT industry. I had worked on government, aerospace,…

  • Quality Assurance (QA)

    Too often we call quality assurance just “testing” or “quality control”, where both traditionally have been performed under the umbrella of Quality Assurance (QA). QA, a planned process/activity, tailored to the program/project, is about ensuring compliance with standards, regulations, plans, and requirements, prevention, and trend and problem analysis for corrective action. This is the reason…

  • We really are losing Valuable Resources and a Knowledge Base!

    At a recent social gathering of IT professionals and executives, one of the individuals stated that he was retiring next week and planned to enjoy the rest of his life with his family, fishing, and maybe exercising as he smiled looking at me (he knew my exercising routine). We all thought this was great. The…