Reply to: Boring work related problem

[Pogle]

465 views aint bad for a boring work related problem

- well, we are all geeks after all

[SantaClaus]

465 views aint bad for a boring work related problem

[TykeMerc]

You wanna back orf a little here. Sometimes a bodge is the right answer. The dev might hate it, the PM might be out of a job, but for the business, it might be right.

Occasionally a bodge is called for, but that's got to be an informed decision with the benefits, risks and drawbacks clearly laid out to the customer, discussed, agreed and signed off, that's why I seek the advice of my tech staff even in areas where I have plenty of technical expertise myself.

A project lacking proper management will always fail in the absence of sheer dumb luck.

[EternalOptimist]

As a PM I need to know the technical score, that's why I get to know the techies as well as their managers/team leads. If the PM is worth his salt then he will want to know what the real situation is so that he can hold a meeting like I described.

You wanna back orf a little here. Sometimes a bodge is the right answer. The dev might hate it, the PM might be out of a job, but for the business, it might be right.

[TykeMerc]

I went to the big boss. I explained what trouble the project is in, the bad habits in the design practices (Ie fag packet design approach) and asked if I was here to sort it out, or just bodge and run.

He was clear in that I was an expensive resource, and they were paying the money for the benefit of my experience. He is going to advise the PM of this.

PM will now love me I'm sure. Had to be done IMHO.

As a PM I need to know the technical score, that's why I get to know the techies as well as their managers/team leads. If the PM is worth his salt then he will want to know what the real situation is so that he can hold a meeting like I described.

[Ruprect]

I went to the big boss. I explained what trouble the project is in, the bad habits in the design practices (Ie fag packet design approach) and asked if I was here to sort it out, or just bodge and run.

He was clear in that I was an expensive resource, and they were paying the money for the benefit of my experience. He is going to advise the PM of this.

PM will now love me I'm sure. Had to be done IMHO.

Can't you replace with a normalisation, view, trigger and stored proc?

[Doggy Styles]

I went to the big boss. I explained what trouble the project is in, the bad habits in the design practices (Ie fag packet design approach) and asked if I was here to sort it out, or just bodge and run.

He was clear in that I was an expensive resource, and they were paying the money for the benefit of my experience. He is going to advise the PM of this.

PM will now love me I'm sure. Had to be done IMHO.

You might have said goodbye to the shag as well.

[suityou01]

That's a classic case of weak/ineffective/non-existent Project Management.

As a PM I would get your advice as the technical expert, arrange a meeting with the customer and present the technical and real cost/time cases, I'd probably drag you into the meeting too depending on how good you are at translating tech into English.

The PM needs to make rational recommendations to the customer and customer needs to make a decision. The recommendations should be one of 3 choices with cost estimates and impacts

1. Rewrite
2. Bodge it as requested with risks of failure highlighted and longer term repercussions
3. Close project

That's the approach I would take anyway based on the summary info you've presented.

I went to the big boss. I explained what trouble the project is in, the bad habits in the design practices (Ie fag packet design approach) and asked if I was here to sort it out, or just bodge and run.

He was clear in that I was an expensive resource, and they were paying the money for the benefit of my experience. He is going to advise the PM of this.

PM will now love me I'm sure. Had to be done IMHO.

[suityou01]

I think the bodge it and bugger it approach is somewhat limiting when it comes to references. Also does give contractors a bad name.

[Andy2]

I just do what the client asks me to do
I will be long gone before the tulip hits the fan

[TykeMerc]

That's a classic case of weak/ineffective/non-existent Project Management.

As a PM I would get your advice as the technical expert, arrange a meeting with the customer and present the technical and real cost/time cases, I'd probably drag you into the meeting too depending on how good you are at translating tech into English.

The PM needs to make rational recommendations to the customer and customer needs to make a decision. The recommendations should be one of 3 choices with cost estimates and impacts

1. Rewrite
2. Bodge it as requested with risks of failure highlighted and longer term repercussions
3. Close project

That's the approach I would take anyway based on the summary info you've presented.

[EternalOptimist]

Can't do that unfortunately. Metastorm BPM is a workflow engine come screen designer tool (and much more besides but still) and for a given workflow there is only one table. All data entry forms are based on this table. Any twinned tables would not connect to the form.

I can however split the workflow up into multiple processes and design it all properly, but that's kind of where I am now :-(

jeez, bound forms.


so the tables need normalizing and they dont have the time ? excel is too good for them

[Drewster]

I'm be tempted to put these concerns in an email and ensure that it reaches the appropriate people.

As contractor you can take one of these routes:
1) Do the job you're told to do, and not give a tulipe about anything
2) Provide the benefit of your insight and experience, and advise on the best solution possible. Having said that, budgets are always a factor to consider.

Just a little re-write:
....Provide/offer the benefit of your insight and experience, and provide your advice on possible solutions make sure this advice is documented (even if only via an EMail) and is given to the appropriate people then do the job you're paid to do (and not give a tulipe about anything else).

Edit: Swamp obviously types faster than me!

[swamp]

Just write an email saying the table cannot handle more columns. Then add the columns anyway.

You're a contractor. Don't get involved in office politics, just invoice for the days you've worked and be happy.

[suityou01]

you could 'twin' the tables up. Secondary (new) table with the same PK and new fields

how long have you got if she gets her way ?

Can't do that unfortunately. Metastorm BPM is a workflow engine come screen designer tool (and much more besides but still) and for a given workflow there is only one table. All data entry forms are based on this table. Any twinned tables would not connect to the form.

I can however split the workflow up into multiple processes and design it all properly, but that's kind of where I am now :-(