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I attended a sort of kick-off meeting on Friday (the person who called the
meeting couldn't attend), and the 3 of us attending decided that, in order
to properly analyse and document both the problem (a defective reports
interface) and the solution (business requirements and a technical design
doc, along with enhancements to the app) required a full software
development lifecycle solution (meaning assigning a project manager/business
analyst to investigate and recommend functional changes). This also means a
proposal and subsequent approval, project plan and charter, functional &
technical design docs, a dedicated developer, testing, and a planned
implementation, support, and monitoring.
But, no, we get one dedicated developer, one SME (not a developer but a sort
of sys admin/superuser for the product), and _me_ to document it all. Then
we implement it on some un-busy weekend during routine maintenance.
Curiously, another, similar project I've participated in recently (another
reports interface) has undergone the SDLC and will be implemented soon. When
I asked the "project manager" why we don't get the full she-bang, I was told
there's not enough time, personnel, or money to do it.
I've audited a lot of requirements and designs, and I've got lots of
literature, but now I have to walk the walk. I have a chance to really shine
here, but my heart's in my throat. My role, besides TW-ing, will be that of
a business analyst (which I don't want to be) and possibly interface
designer. I've got good relationships with all concerned. My boss doesn't
know the scope of this yet, and we've got nothing in writing.
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