http://www.clarrus.com The Clarrus Compendium (ISSN: 1703-7107) is a brief weekly perspective into the software industry. At times common sense, at times irreverent, at times provocative - the intent is to get you to look at things from different angles - maybe you'll find solutions to some of your current challenges. en-us 2002-2008 Clarrus Consulting Group Inc. Sat, 3 Jan 2009 18:49:13 GMT jim.brosseau@clarrus.com webmaster@clarrus.com http://www.clarrus.com/images/clarrus_logo.jpg http://www.clarrus.com Clarrus Consulting Group Inc. http://feeds.feedburner.com/clarrus Fri, 9 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT We've moved to WordPress and our Blog has moved with it - please update your links to this one... http://feeds.feedburner.com/clarrus Sat, 3 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT We've moved to WordPress and our Blog has moved with it - please update your links to this one... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Pair_Everything_To_a_Point Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Two heads are very often better than one... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Agile_Too_Early Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Don't expect agile success with a ragtag bunch right out of the gate... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#The_Down_Side_of_Good_Tools Sun, 7 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Overdone strengths for tools can become liabilities... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Are_We_a_Software_Company Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Stick to your core competency, or hire appropriately... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Two_Analysis_Schools Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT There is growing appreciation for the value of thinking things through... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Trust_Retention Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT It is a vicious circle until YOU break it... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Local_Maximum Sun, 9 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT That old hill-climbing stuff comes back to bite us... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Quality_Spike Sun, 2 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Briefly considering quality alongside architecture on agile projects can serve you well... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Just_a_Document Sun, 26 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Of all the times to have deep discussions rather than just producing a document... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Communication Chasm Sun, 19 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT It is one thing to sell to the converted... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Not_Rotting_in_Smugness Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Don't be offended by a data point... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Care_and_Feeding Sun, 5 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT You wouldn't neglect your plants or pets, would you... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#The_Future_is_Never_Certain Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT For most tech projects, perhaps we should start by assuming infinite uncertainty... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Why_This_Project Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT A project has to be about more than spending money or playing with cool technology... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Customer_Service Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Do we know if we are actually feeding our relationships?... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Instant_Agility Sun, 7 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Reading a book or attending a course is simply the start of a journey... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Help_Yourself Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT The only way you can be capable of helping others... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Education_and_Experience Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Some times it IS clear which came first... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Get_Your_Ears_On Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Don't give your clients your opinion of what they need... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#ESL Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Failure to communicate is not always because of different mother tongues... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Pinballed Sun, 3 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Don't buy - invest... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Nearsighted_ROI Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Think Interaction rather than Investment... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Blindsides Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Some things we don't see until they hit us... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#What_We_Bring_to_the_Table Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT We all bring something of value... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#All_That_Jazz Sun, 6 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT What is that big audacious thing we want to achieve here?... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Faith_in_the_Process Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT There is one stage of learning that can't be captured in a manual or classroom... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Pet_Tricks Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT We're not talking about Fido rolling over and playing dead here... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Off_the_Beaten_Path Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT The plan isn't there to tell us our future, but to let us know when we need to take action, and what we can do... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Administrative_Reporting Sun, 8 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT Any tool can tell you what happened, I want to know why, and what we can do about it... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Refine_the_Messaging_Platform Sun, 1 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT It is time to improve the credibility of the agile message... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Beyond_an_Exercise Sun, 25 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT We're not in school anymore, Toto... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Go_With_Your_Strength Sun, 18 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Remember to focus on what got you to this point... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Teaching_Software_Process Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT How to put the current fervor into the proper context... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Is_It_Worth_Not_Doing_It Sun, 4 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sometimes the numbers are too compelling to ignore... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Why_Wait_For_Value Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Three months before a new hire contributes to the team is a crime... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Testing_That_Team_Agreement Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT A few questions to consider to ensure you are developing an agreement that will work... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Consulted Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT There is a huge gap between insult and successful engagement... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#WTD Sun, 6 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT A poorly crafted team agreement can be a catalyst for implosion... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Overcoming_Resistance Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT It's all in the selling: people need to understand why they need to change... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Core_Change_Principles Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Telling a team what they need to do differently will get you nowhere... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Shirking_Responsibility Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to hold up a mirror... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Trust_Proxies Sun, 9 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT We can't constrain ourselves to only working with others we have a long history of success with... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Evolving_Our_System Sun, 2 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Extending what we do well with our source to other artifacts we produce makes our entire lifecycle easier... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#A_Soft_Skills_Business_Case Sun, 24 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Managing soft skills is the best way for reducing the variability and improving the ROI for applying hard skills... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Find_Hire_Grow_and_Keep Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Don't get caught in the trap of only looking to the competitive market for the talent you need... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Lifecycle_Selection_vs_Effectiveness Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Pick your approach, any approach: most projects remain unacceptably inefficient... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#What_to_do Sun, 3 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT If more than one perspective is required, don't let one side decide... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Whats_in_a_Name Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT If it looks like a reasonable technique, and smells like a reasonable technique... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#DIY Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT If it rarely goes smoothly for jobs around the house, why would it work on larger projects?... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Choosing_Approaches_Below_the_Project_Level Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT Not only does a single approach not work for everything, it is even insufficient for a single project... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Context_is_the_Only_Absolute Sun, 6 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT There is never an absolute answer...well, OK, maybe one... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Followers Sun, 30 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT The only real difference between good leaders and followers is where they sit on the Org Chart... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Actually_It_IS_All_About_You Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT Relationships will exist whether or not we care to manage them... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Birthing_the_Spec Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT Even with an epidural, this is one way to NOT capture the scope for a system... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Disassembling_the_Nokia_Test Sun, 9 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT It seems to work for Nokia, but are there any user-serviceable parts inside?... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Cultural_Vital_Signs Sun, 2 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT First off...can we even find a pulse?... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Filling_the_Toolbox Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT We need more than a hex-key to build most real-world applications... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Twenty_Questions Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT A game we all played as kids turns out to be great practice in getting a project off on the right foot... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Recognizing_the_Structure_of_Power Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT We all have within us astounding power, just waiting to be harnessed... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#The_Complexity_of_Change Sun, 4 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT It's non-trivial, but there are ways to make change easier to swallow... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Engagement_Beats_Handoff_and_Jargon Sun, 28 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT Keep the jargon in your back pocket and listen for a change... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#A_Consistent_Approach_Where_Needed Sun, 21 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT There are times when our own way of doing things can get us into trouble... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Industry_Evolution Sun, 14 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT If we are still relying on sophistication of testing, we have a way to go yet... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Focus_on_the_Interfaces Sun, 7 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT We need to ensure our handoffs go smoothly if we want the overall project to go well... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Repairing_the_Fixed_Price_Model Sun, 30 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT It is possible to make money while reducing client risk... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#A_Matter_of_Perspective Sun, 23 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT Design from one viewpoint can be analysis from another... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Fine_Wine_or_Crusty_Loaf Sun, 16 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT Attitude drives how successfully we age... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Selling Sun, 9 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT When suggesting a good way of doing something, pitch to the needs of the audience, not yours... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Being_Operated_On Sun, 2 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT Did you ever feel like you didn't have the complete picture on your own project?... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Quality_Specification Sun, 26 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT Quality Attributes Part 4 of 4: We need to specify these terms as well-structured requirements... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Quality_Translation Sun, 19 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT Quality Attributes Part 3 of 4: We need to translate quality into measurable terms... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Quality_Prioritization Sun, 12 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT Quality Attributes Part 2 of 4: We need to focus on the areas of quality that are important for this project... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Quality_Taxonomies Sun, 5 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT Quality Attributes Part 1 of 4: We need to ensure we are covering the breadth of quality... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Harnessing_Down_Time Sun, 29 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT What do you do if you are the first one to arrive at a meeting?... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Judgment Sun, 22 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT Don't be so hasty to judge fault in your deep relationships... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Planning_Cycles_Thinking_Rhythms Sun, 15 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT Like so many Russian dolls, we need to plan through a series of concentric levels... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#The_Truth_About_Best_Practices Sun, 8 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT There are no best practices, but still many that will make our lives easier... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Candor Sun, 1 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT More than documentation and models, even more than discussions and honesty... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Planning_to_Build_vs_Building_the_Plan Sun, 24 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Give me a team that knows how they will work together to solve a problem over a pretty Gantt Chart... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Deciding_to_be_Agile_or_Not Sun, 17 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Consciously deciding which approach to take is strongly dependent on the team and the product being built... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Unintentionally_Non_Profit Sun, 10 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT Whether or not the intent is to use up all available resources, there's value in the big-picture... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Why_I_Write Sun, 3 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT A variety of reasons for doing this, not the least of which is that I still have a lot to learn... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#A_Question_of_Timing Sun, 27 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT As the old saying goes, you can pay me now... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#No_Problem Sun, 20 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT Consciously using dysfunction to artificially get ahead... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Erosion Sun, 13 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT Avoid the slow eating away of the fidelity of our approach to developing software... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Idiot_Lights Sun, 6 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT What are the software-related events that should make us stand up and take notice?... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Practicing_Safe_PM Sun, 29 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT Prudent behaviours around building a safe schedule can keep you out of an embarrassing mess downstream... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Zero_Sum_Lunacy Sun, 22 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT Sun Tsu was not a businessman... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Decisions_Not_Made Sun, 15 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT It's not the decisions we make that scuttle our projects... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#No_Apparent_Problem_To_No_Actual_Problem Sun, 8 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT A long series of learning stages on the path to resolving issues... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Labour_Shortage_or_Underfostered_Talent Sun, 1 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT It is more productive to look at the situation as half-full rather than half-empty... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#How_Much_is_Enough Sun, 25 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT It is all in the correct framing of the question... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Technological_Heart_Attack Sun, 18 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT Technology's way of saying you are going at a breakneck pace... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Validate_Your_Assumptions Sun, 11 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT Just because something may have worked the first time around... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Use_the_Force Sun, 4 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT Ever get that sinking feeling that someone is looking over your shoulder?... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Cultivation Sun, 25 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT Conscious tending of our teams is far more effective than consuming them for our purposes... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Completing_a_Project Sun, 18 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT It's not over 'till everybody sings...and specific refinements are identified... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Fostering_a_Project_Along Sun, 11 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT Paranoia, creativity, communication, diligence and 'that theoretical stuff' can go a long way... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Shaping_Your_Projects Sun, 4 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT There is far more to being productive and effective than taking the first thing that comes along... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Another_Set_of_Eyes Sun, 28 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT Saying you are done without getting a second opinion should feel as bad as not brushing your teeth... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#You_Can_Estimate_Anything Sun, 21 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT Even with the smallest nugget of information, we can come up with a credible, accurate estimate... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Getting_in_the_Groove Sun, 14 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT We need to simplify down from juggling 5 things at once if we want to accomplish anything... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#The_Procedures_That_Ate_Manhattan Sun, 7 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT In trying to ensure we can get the job done, we can unleash a monster... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Resolutions Sun, 31 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT "We've gotta ship better software..." is just as effective as "I've gotta lose some weight..." http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#How_Do_I_Know Sun, 24 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT Questions to ponder when you are buying something you don't quite understand... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Debate_Without_Dialogue_Sucks Sun, 17 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT Life in the blogosphere can tend to burn more bridges than it builds... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Curiosity Sun, 10 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT What killed the cat is actually great medicine for the team... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Inconspicuous Consumption Sun, 3 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT Give me an Aeron chair and the joy of less rework any day... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Descent_into_Conflict Sun, 26 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT It's a slippery slope into a conflict situation, and a tough climb out... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Hope_and_Fear_but_Mostly_Fear Sun, 19 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT We need to get off the pulpit with Agile, or the value it has will be lost... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Home_Handyman_Syndrome Sun, 12 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT It's one thing to try to fix your own leaky faucet... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#The_Case_for_Alternatives_to_Use_Cases Sun, 5 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT Not everything lends itself to analysis with a Use Case hammer... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Greasing_the_Wheels Sun, 29 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT There's being told what to do, then there is guidance... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Lost_in_Translation Sun, 22 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT There are still a few bumps in this flattening world of ours... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Exposing_Our_Motives Sun, 15 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT The right tools can provide tremendous insight into our internal workings... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Putting_a_Finger_on_Rework Sun, 8 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT Rework is in the eye of the beholder... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#The_Conscious_Team_Contract Sun, 1 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT As a group, explicitly define the norms for successfully working together... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Forging_Ahead Sun, 24 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT Find motivations and mechanisms to get yourself past the stumbling blocks... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Data_Integrity Sun, 17 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT If only auditors had calibration stickers attached... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Trust Sun, 10 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT We need to carefully manage the deposits and minimize the withdrawls into our trust accounts... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Emotions Sun, 3 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT Emotions have their place in the working world, provided they are applied appropriately for the group... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Divide_and_Conquer Sun, 27 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT There's more to functional decomposition than splitting into a new document set... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Teamwork Sun, 20 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT True investment in the collaboration of a team trumps top-down management... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Make_Yourself_At_Home Sun, 13 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT Home is where the comfort is... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Out_With_the_Old Sun, 6 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT Change involves the removal of the old, and this is sometimes more than just practices... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Structured_Debate Sun, 30 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT The best approaches are transparent enough to allow you to focus on the right debates... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Comfortable_Communication Sun, 23 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT Be aware of the comfort levels for yourself and for others as you communicate... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Just_an_Employee Sun, 16 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT Regardless of the compensation structure, there's value in putting your heart into it... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#The_Big_Picture Sun, 9 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT Despite the temptations to dive in, we need to ensure we understand the big picture... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#It_Takes_All_Kinds Sun, 2 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT A well managed, diverse set of perspectives strongly supports innovation... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Games_People_Play Sun, 25 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT Call it what you will, but if we see business as a big, complex game, we can think several moves ahead... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Stepping_Up Sun, 18 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT There are times when you need to understand the value of taking things into your own hands... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Outsourcing_Quality Sun, 11 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT It's no accident that some products remain vastly superior, even if the competition has decades to catch up... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Keep_It_Real Sun, 4 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT Don't use requirements analysis as a means of keeping busy 'till the heat is on... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Process_Ergonomics Sun, 28 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT It's best to focus on the elements of change that most strongly affect the human condition... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Is_Geek_the_New_Black Sun, 21 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT There continues to be those that prefer to profit off the backs of the minions that toil for them... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Backsliding Sun, 14 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT We can't rest on our laurels just because we've done something right once... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Pressure Sun, 7 May 2006 00:00:00 GMT There is a reasonable amount of pressure to keep us motivated while not stressing us out... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Measuring_as_a_Necessary_Evil Sun, 30 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT The less we have seen the benefits of doing so, the more we will resist measurement... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Tangibility Sun, 23 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT We can only touch - and comprehend - the products we actually take the time to construct... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#The_Way_Things_Are_Done Sun, 16 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT Historical precedence can be a pretty lame excuse for doing stupid things... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Enthusiasm Sun, 9 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT Having extreme positive energy about your tasks can make for wonderful productivity... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Size_Doesnt_Matter Sun, 2 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT It's not the number of people on the team, but whether they get too big for their britches... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Decoupling_Projects Sun, 26 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT Don't unnecessarily complicate your life by artificially binding 2 projects together... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Being_Reasonably_Self-Critical Sun, 19 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT It's been a clear lagging indicator, how can we make it a leading one?... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#The_Dark_Side_of_Spontaneity Sun, 12 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT In a vacuum, words have no meaning... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Oh_Please Sun, 5 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT A team will succeed or fail solely on the shoulders of the team itself... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Mental_Models Sun, 26 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT It's not our physical limitations that are holding us back... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Sustainability Sun, 19 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT For most companies, long-term thinking will bring them into the next quarter... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Critical_Introspection Sun, 12 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT It's not the selected approach that is important, it's the fact that the approach was thoughtfully chosen... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Rigid_Agility Sun, 5 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT In our zeal to jump on the bandwagon, some of us are missing the real point... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Reference_Points Sun, 29 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT We all need to know how to find our way home... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Growing_the_Team Sun, 22 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT Do what you can to ensure that your growth is not overcome by entropy... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Neglect Sun, 15 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT Rust never sleeps... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Client_Satisfaction Sun, 8 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT You can't please all the people all the time, but... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Just_One_More Sun, 1 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT Beware to weight the pros and cons of taking just one more... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Quality_Circle_Genealogy Sun, 25 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT The idea of getting together to address everyone's needs is not new... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Designing_Our_Environment Sun, 18 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT Taking the time to consciously design our workspace can yield immense results... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Rules Sun, 11 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT Given common perceptions, failure of prescribed rules is almost a fait accompli... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Demonizing_Mistakes Sun, 4 Dec 2005 00:00:00 GMT If there is one person I would have liked to see fired... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Appropriate_Procedures Sun, 27 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT Which procedures do you follow, and how critical are they to your business... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Minimizing_Disruption Sun, 20 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT It is critical for everyone to keep the flight path clear for the team... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Follow-through Sun, 13 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT We need to complete our swing in everything we do... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Design_as_Translation Sun, 6 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT Design bridges the gap between two very distinct perspectives of what you are building... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Raising_Awareness Sun, 30 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT There's no point in suggesting a better way if people don't see that there is a problem... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Were_All_Leaders Sun, 23 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT Characteristics of leadership is not something reserved for the people at the top... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Tar_Pits_or_Tar_Sands Sun, 16 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT Some scary things can be the source of tremendous value if leveraged properly... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Done Sun, 9 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT Completion is in the eye of the beholder... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#You_Are_What_You_Eat Sun, 2 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT A balanced diet of products throughout your lifecycle is critical... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Role-based_Tool_Support Sun, 25 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT The evolution of requirements support tools is tracking our understanding of the distinct roles... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Everything_In_Its_Place Sun, 18 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT Strong organizational habits bring clarity to software development... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Decisions Sun, 11 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT It is the tough decisions that can linger far too long for most of us... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Denial Sun, 4 Sep 2005 00:00:00 GMT How you respond to less than glowing information can be extremely revealing... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Volatility_Demands_Visibility Sun, 28 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT It is often the less understood, rapidly changing projects that suffer the most from lack of visibility... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Technological_Advances Sun, 21 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT We are automating at an amazing pace, but do we benefit from this automation as much as we could?... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Leveling_and_Prioritizing_Scope Sun, 14 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT Choose the appropriate level of detail, then pick the right model to identify how much stuff will fit in the bag... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Small_Measured_Steps Sun, 7 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT Gradual, measured change can still reap huge rewards quickly... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Full_Disclosure Sun, 31 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT True understanding requires far more than mere honesty... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Blinkers Sun, 24 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT It is important to focus, but not too much... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Post_It Sun, 17 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT Take advantage of all that wall space you have... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Checklists_and_Signatures Sun, 10 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT Remember that you need to do it, show that you have done it... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Becoming_the_Distant_Customer Sun, 3 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT It can be a significant challenge to hand things off... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Carrots_and_Sticks Sun, 26 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT There are different approaches to providing guidance... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Knowledge_Decay Sun, 19 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT Truly common knowledge is an extremely difficult ideal to achieve... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Revelations_Through_Time_Dilation Sun, 12 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT The decisions we make today can have significant impact down the road... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#We_All_Have_an_Achilles_Heel Sun, 5 Jun 2005 00:00:00 GMT Nobody is perfect, but we can choose to control or to feed our blind spots... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#The_End_Users_Advocate Sun, 29 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT There's a best mindset for making sure that your product is ready to ship... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Clarity_and_Common_Understanding Sun, 22 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT Just because it is written down doesn't mean we all see the same thing... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Attitudes Sun, 15 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT It all boils down to the sensibilities the team brings to the table... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Shortcuts Sun, 8 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT How do we determine the right slice of effort to get the job done right?... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Negotiating_or_Grinding_Down Sun, 1 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT Is there ever a win/lose in business negotiations?... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#House_of_Cards Sun, 24 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT How do you decide to ship your products?... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#Tactical_and_Strategic_Metrics Sun, 17 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT You need to know if you have enough gas, but also need to know if you are headed for a cliff... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#Different_Perspectives_are_Necessary Sun, 10 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT Just as with a house, no single view of a software system is sufficient... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_process.htm#Choice_as_a_Motivator Sun, 3 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT You can lead a developer to water, but you cannot make her satisfied... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_people.htm#Patient_Team_Building Sun, 27 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT Take your time to get it right, it can be one of the most important decisions you can make... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_business.htm#Making_the_Rules Sun, 20 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT It's one thing to identify the procedures for work, and another thing entirely to settle on the principles of the business... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_project_management.htm#Getting_Started Sun, 13 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT There is always a variety of activities to spend your time on... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_qa_test_cm.htm#The_Ease_of_Obliviousness Sun, 6 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT Sometimes it is easy to plod along, not knowing what you don't know... http://www.clarrus.com/resources/tips_requirements.htm#GUI_Design Sun, 27 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT Don't let the word 'design' fool you...