Successful Turkeys: Redefining Success in Web Projects

Successful Turkeys: Redefining Success in Web Projects

11/28/2012 - 18:11
Author: 
John Locke

In the software industry, the definition of "success" isn't necessarily the same as it is for the rest of the world. The customer asks for a complex system composed of many parts, with a specified budget, and a timeline. A software project is usually considered successful if any part of the system is developed, at any cost, at some time. Not necessarily the functionality requested, the budget, or the deadline.

So claimed Steve McConnell at a recent talk about the business value of software processes Timon and I attended.

Surprising? Shocking, even? Not if you've ever been involved in creating a moderately complex web site, or software project. All too often, people charge in and build something, never taking a moment to plan, never stopping to look at the big picture.

And, I'm embarrassed to say, I have been guilty of this too.

Here is what we're doing to make sure we don't do it again.

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Client Spotlight

Freelock teamed up with Eben Design to build a new site for Totem Ocean Trailer Express, a shipping company that has two voyages between Tacoma and Anchorage each week. In addition to being a basic corporate site, this site has a few cool custom features.

Our favorite is the ship map. We built a Node.js server to receive a position feed managed by the Marine Exchange of Alaska. The ships send position data to this server, via radio or satellite, with position updates every few minutes in inland waters to  a few hours when out at sea. Our map updates the ship's position when we receive it.

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Freelock News

Wow, what a year. Freelock is jamming, with some very exciting new projects, and some ongoing work from existing clients. In October alone, we signed up 4 new customers, with 3 of them having sizable projects, including projects for the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The first one is on the verge of launching already, and we're excited to be well into the planning on two more!

Since my last newsletter in April, Quest, Aaron, Eric, and Bob have joined the team. Our office is getting a bit cozy, so we're starting to look for a new place!

We continue to develop particular specialties in data visualization, event and conference management, CRM, and e-commerce -- if you know anybody who has a need for a custom site along these lines, we love referrals, please send them our way.

Meanwhile, I would love to hear from you. Drop me a line at john@freelock.com, and let me know how you're doing, and what technical or business challenges you face, or leave a comment on our site!

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Customer Feedback

I recommend you use Linux for your server(s). Mine are so reliable, it shocked me that after years of Microsoft-based expectations, I have no complaints now after many many years experience with Linux servers supporting a mixed Win2K and Apple OSX workstation network. Freelock has really opened my eyes to what I should be expecting from enterprise software. Linux is simply much better than anything Microsoft has done, and even on Microsoft's best day, Microsoft is too expensive, too proprietary and too unreliable. There is just no reason to keep putting ourself through that grief, constant change, and endless high cost.

George Roberston
George Roberston & Associates

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