Re: [AM-Old List] [AM] Problems ever occur in Agile?

This list is now moving to [email protected].

Please sign up to the new list as we'll soon shut this one down.

Visit www.agilemodeling.com/feedback.htm for details.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
MORTGAGE / REFINANCE RATES ARE LOW. ACT NOW!
3 Mortgage brokers compete for your business.
Great rates, no obligation, and easy form.
http://click.topica.com/=
caabZulbUrKDAbWnbtka/ Insurance4usa.com
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

"Philippe Back (High Octane)" wrote:
>=20
> Why is there written "*Alligator* Cockburn" in your Slugout paper ?
> Shouldn't it be Alistair ?

Oops!  Must be a Freudian slip (used to live in Florida).
Will look into it.  Thanks.


> BTW, I read the whole set about freedom at jreality and it makes a lot of=

> sense.


Thanks for the observation.

Freedom _is_ very straightforward, even simple, once one
understands it.  It is the minimum, or at least strives to=20
be the minimum, needed to do a good job. (Isn't that an=20
agile principle?)

Freedom's minimalist approach demonstrates that software=20
engineering need not be nearly as complex as many=20
methodologies would have us believe.  While the 'devils=20
in the details' remain, the essence of software engineering=20
is not as difficult as previously thought when the problem=20
is viewed from the perspective of Freedom.=20

This line of thought leads straight to Brooks and his famous=20
"No Silver Bullet" paper.  Brooks pointed out that the essence=20
of software engineering (and by essence, he meant the=20
requirements) was where the actual difficulties reside,=20
and that 'no silver bullet' could ever be found until the=20
problems of the essence were solved.  Based on having used=20
Freedom for a number of years, I believe Freedom is a major
step in helping solve the problems of the essence. If others=20
validate this observation -- which cannot happen until=20
others learn Freedom and apply it -- then Freedom may=20
ultimately result in creation of a software engineering silver=20
bullet, as defined by Brooks. (Note that Brooks clearly defined=20
the term 'silver bullet' as an attainable goal.  Many use the=20
term 'no silver bullet' as synonymous with 'impossible.'  This=20
is an inappropriate use of the term as it is NOT consistent=20
with Brooks.)


> I do not agree on using only tables for structures etc. UML (or whatever)=

> diagrams make a lot of sense for me (I am pretty visual). But with a good=

> tool, both versions can exist.


More on this point in next reply post.


> The good thing I see there is that there is enough info to get things don=
e
> (aligned w/ Parnas's paper on faking a rational process) without getting
> overwhelmed.

Yes, Parnas' "Faking It" paper is essential to understanding
Freedom's process charts.  The process charts are not literally=20
prescriptive, but rather document a "rational process" per Parnas.=20=20
In so doing, they define the end results to be produced, not
the actual process that must be followed for producing them.=20=20
Yet, as Parnas points out in detail, there are many advantages to=20
explicitly defining a rational process (via charts, etc) even=20
though it need not be followed literally.

This calls to mind the recent posts regarding phases, and how
the existence of phases presents an intellectual hurdle to be=20
overcome when learning agile thinking.  The same may be said
of process charts.  In fact, explicit process charts encompass
this "phases problem" since phases are encompassed by the high
level process charts for many methodologies.  Parnas' (and
Freedom's) answer to this is not to throw out process charts
or their phases, but to view them in a new light -- the light
of a "rational process" as described by Parnas.  This permits
retaining the benefits of an explicitly defined process while=20
avoiding its real-world pitfalls.  To throw process charts, and
their phases, out is to throw out the baby with the bath water.=20
=20
Learning agile involves learning a new way of thinking.  Part
of that learning experience should be to learn to view process
charts, and their phases, in this new light.  The concept of a=20
Parnas rational process is highly agile in its flexibility and=20
adaptability to changing development situations.  Rather than
teaching prospective agilists that 'phases are out,' it would
be far better to teach them that 'rational processes are in'
and point them to the "Fake It" paper to study:
http://cobolreport.com/columnists/parnas&clements/09152003.asp
There is more benefit in the latter than the former.



> IMV, when someone has reached some level of understanding in methodology,=
 I
> guess simplification is in order. Freedom provides that.

You have seen the light!

Thanks again for the good observations, Philippe.

--=20
Rick Lutowski
Principal, JReality
[email protected]
http://www.jreality.com

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Menthol Smokers Only! Click on the link below and=20
register to receive up to $50 in savings from one of=20
America's leading menthol brands.=20
http://click.topica.com/=
caab4S3bUrKDAbWnbtkf/ Lorillard
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

This list is now moving to [email protected].

Please sign up to the new list as we'll soon shut this one down.

Visit www.agilemodeling.com/feedback.htm for details.
--^----------------------------------------------------------------
This email was sent to: =
[email protected]

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?bUrKDA.=
bWnbtk.=
Z2NtYS1h
Or send an email to: [email protected]

For Topica's complete suite of email marketing solutions visit:
http://www.topica.com/?p=3DTEXFOOTER
--^----------------------------------------------------------------