Developing software for the cloud can make test-driven development more complicated, but not impossible. Arin Sime offers advice for continuing good development practices in the face of challenges from cloud hosting and distributed computing.

Software engineering and software project management are complex activities. Both software development and software management have dozens of methodologies and scores of tools available that are beneficial. In addition, there are quite a few methods and practices that have been shown to be harmful, based on depositions and court documents in litigation for software project failures. In order to evaluate the effectiveness or harm of these numerous and disparate factors, we have developed a simple scoring method. The scoring method runs from +10 for maximum benefits to -10 for maximum harm.

“We don’t release software. It escapes!” (Carl, my former boss and a VP of Development) 

My former boss, Carl, once tried enticing me to join his management team by emphasizing how badly the company could use my process discipline skills; it worked.  I felt bad for them, and I was intrigued by the challenge. But, I learned at least as much as they did during my tenure there.

Over the course of my career, I have seen many instances of people failing at release management. In this article, I highlight eight statements that I have heard over the years from people in our line of work. Even though these people abide by these statements, they would never dare to repeat them out loud. I hope you will find inspiration not to follow these sayings!

IT professionals are often surprised to discover that it’s a bigger challenge to handle the people side of establishing process. This article gives you a head start on handling the implicit personality issues that are found in establishing process and more process.