Thursday, March 21, 2002

In reviewing a Martin Fowler article we pointed to yesterday, one passage really needs to be emphasized.   In pointing out the weaknesses of applying the construction metaphor to software development, Martin points out: "Another issue is that of comparative cost. When you build a bridge, the cost of the design effort is about 10% of the job, with the rest being construction. In software the amount of time spent in coding is much, much less (McConnell suggests that for a large project, only 15% of the project is code and unit test, an almost perfect reversal of the bridge building ratios. Even if you lump in all testing as part of construction, then design is still 50% of the work.) This raises an important question about the nature of design in software compared to its role in other branches of engineering. " 9:38:27 AM

As a contrast to the article we skewered yesterday, here is an interesting article about XP published in the Globe and Mail's Report on Business magazine this past fall.  Our bias should be stated up-front, as we were quoted in the article :-}. 9:28:29 AM

ObjectMentor is also a key supporter of the Agile Alliance.  Our Agile methods primer gives some background on the Agile alliance. 9:16:04 AM

Kudos to the folks at ObjectMentor for sponsoring the XP/Agile methods show.  It looks like a terrific agenda. 9:13:26 AM

In trying to compile background information on Agile methods for this Weblog, there is a surprisingly small number of resources available.  We will be working to try and point the resources that we trip across.  One development is the XP/Agile Universe conference in Chicago, August 4-7, 2002.  It looks like the Raleigh XP Universe held last year, has morphed into this event. 9:11:01 AM

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