What makes a successful project?

[Rookie]

Unlimited budget and realistic lead times.

[DiscoStu]

It entirely depends on how you define successful. If what's been delivered is a broken mess but has paid me high rates and given me multiple extensions has the gig been a failure for my business?

[Rookie]

It entirely depends on how you define successful. If what's been delivered is a broken mess but has paid me high rates and given me multiple extensions has the gig been a failure for my business?

Very good point.

[deckster]

It entirely depends on how you define successful. If what's been delivered is a broken mess

You mean there's another way to deliver software???

[DiscoStu]

You mean there's another way to deliver software???

Apparently so. I'm told all you need is a scrum master, a chicken and a pig.

[Mich the Tester]

Try the NuLabour methodology Stop aiming to build something to some predefined level of utility or quality and just aim to spend a shedload of money. Guaranteed success and BOOMED for contractors.

[PM-Junkie]

A successful project is nailing what the customer actually wants, and then giving it to them at the agreed time at the agreed cost.

Getting the first of those right is the real trick.

[Rookie]

A successful project is nailing what the customer actually wants, and then giving it to them at the agreed time at the agreed cost.

Getting the first of those right is the real trick.

True. The first one is very difficult though as most of the time the customer doesn't actually know what they want or their requiremnts/scope change over time.

It's the old quality/time/cost malarky.

[Signo_cypher]

Apparently so. I'm told all you need is a scrum master, a chicken and a pig.

So much for my list, this is like herding cats!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxwTC13f1PE

[Mich the Tester]

True. The first one is very difficult though as most of the time the customer doesn't actually know what they want or their requiremnts/scope change over time.

It's the old quality/time/cost malarky.

Now imagine trying to run 5 test projects at the same time using one test environment and two amateur testers, who can’t take over each other’s work, when the customer can’t even tell you which projects have which priority.