Morons!

[Plotloss]

Why is it, that no matter how much damned IT experience one acquires the only truly static thing in IT is the fact that users, no matter how much you pin them down about specification using various project methodologies and line by line spec sign off they always come up with a 'must have' feature the day AFTER the solution goes live?

Then when you ask why they didnt ask for it when the project started do they call into question the openness and honesty of the IT department?

You signed off the spec you morons!

Sorry, rant ends...

[GregE240]

You said it yourself. Twice.

They signed it off.

Careful change control, closed testing. Apply to live Everybodys 'appy.

[DanL]

Heh - you should try working here. I've not seen a written spec in three years...

Dan

[robdickinson]

Best ones we have here are on the back of envelopes and fag packets.

shooting a moving target, whilst blindfolded, and in another country.

[Plotloss]

The only reason this has a spec is because I just knew this would happen.

Usually I dont bother and change stuff once its live but as this was Java, RPG and C++ I thought spec it up to save the hassle.

Wish I hadnt of bothered.

Are you still at the old place Dan?

[pdV6]

Same here.

Sometimes I miss working for big companies, as its easier to avoid this kind of thing.

[Plotloss]

This is an SOA integration issue, the first subscriber being a MASSIVE utilities firm.

I thought all their project this and timeline that nonsense would help but its just hidden the ups until the last minute.

I have never met anyone quite that paranoid about security in my life, its astonishing...

[vex]

Simple,

Write the spec.
Print two copies.
Get both parties to sign both.
Hand one to client for safe keeping.
Keep your copy for safe keeping.

Any issues, ask the customer to reffer to his orginal document that he signed off on.

[Plotloss]

Yep did all that, advised him to read the spec again.

He whinged to his boss, who moaned at his boss who whined to a director at their company who phoned a director here who then moaned to my boss and here we are.

Bastards!

[vex]

I hate people who do that.

It's in ing black and white, so I built it in 0 & 1's and now it isn't what you wanted.

Ar*e H*les

[pdV6]

Hmmm. Spineless director at your place, sounds like?

S/He's the one who ought to be putting their foot down & telling them to point to the written requirement for whatever it is they want.

[Plotloss]

Yeah, but this account is a seven figure revenue stream and it does all come down to money at the end of the day...

Doesnt stop it being bastard annoying though.

[DanL]

Plotloss said:

Are you still at the old place Dan?

Yup - still slaving away at the bottom of the hill... Having our company Xmas bash tonight on a boat - should be a good laugh. Have taken tomorrow off in readiness.

Dan

[Plotloss]

I think our company is having the same do...

Some little island in the thames somewhere?

[Alex]

Spec? What I would GIVE to have a decent spec! LUXURY!

[Plotloss]

There appears to be a common theme with this thread.

Does no one use specifications?

Are we being fed a line by this Prince 2 monkey that seems to create more paper than Wiggins Teape?

[TheExcession]

Plotloss said:

There appears to be a common theme with this thread. Does no one use specifications? Are we being fed a line by this Prince 2 monkey that seems to create more paper than Wiggins Teape?

We try to, but our problem is being a small Company (only 4 people full time) we can't find the time. If we cost a project to include full requirement analysis, change tracking, and all the other bollox to go with it we aren't competitive and lose the bid.


Needless to say everything's always done on a last minute wing and prayer, and I end up with days like yesterday/today where I sat working from 6am to 6pm, then had a plate of food before going to bed at 7pm. Got up again at 11pm and worked right through till 7am this morning, then grabbed 90 mins sleep before taking the young lad to school.

Had a nap between 1pm and 2:30 this afternnon and the way things are looking at the moment I'll still be here again at 6am tomorrow.

I ask - why bother?

Fortunately it doesn't happen like this very often.

best
Ex

[judas]

We're in the same small company boat as Ex. Our biggest client is also our most difficult. Spec writing is a waste of time and effort. By the time you've finished researching and writing it, the goalposts have moved around the field many, many times and indeed are still on the move...

[pdV6]

judas said:

We're in the same small company boat as Ex. Our biggest client is also our most difficult. Spec writing is a waste of time and effort. By the time you've finished researching and writing it, the goalposts have moved around the field many, many times and indeed are still on the move...

To compound our troubles here, nearly all our customers are IT-phobic and actively resist the pressure to install (let alone update) any kind of technology more advanced than a filing cabinet...

[Mr E]

Surely this is where you do what the customer wants, and then give them a socking great bill for an unscheduled and rushed enhancement.