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Subject:Re: The Real Offense From:"Anthony Markatos" <tonymar -at- hotmail -dot- com> To:jbyrd -at- byrdwrites -dot- com, techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com Date:Sat, 11 Mar 2000 10:40:26 PST
Jo Byrd wrote:
One of my more frustrating contracts occurred for a project where I
understood perfectly how the program worked, but had NO clue as to why I'd
ever want to. I found the project manager's prediction that I would know the
program better than anyone there frighteningly accurate. Never did I have
any clue as to the business
purpose, nor could I get any feedback as to the accuracy of my
documentation.
Tony Markatos responds:
Been there! The fact that you (as a TW) knew the product better than the
developers means that they offloaded a major portion of the required systems
analysis effort onto you (probably without giving you systems analysis pay).
If the required analysis is not done upfront it HAS to be done downstream
- otherwise the product is useless.
They did not give you any feedback because they did not want their lack of
knowledge exposed. Particularly at start-ups, often there is only one
person who understands the business goals supported by the product and how
they all interrelate. The owner. And he ain't telling!
Tony Markatos
(tonymar -at- hotmail -dot- com)
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