Better Software Magazine

Better Software Magazine Articles

Site Unseen: Testing Web Services

It may only be a matter of time before you hear the words, "We need you to test a Web service." Ebusiness technology is being transformed with the creation of a new type of application called a Web service. Software developers are poised, eager to deploy Web services, but what does it mean to the world of software testing? Read on to find out!
Helen Joyce
April 1, 2003
The Four Most Dangerous Words

Think you're ready to implement a fantastic new process? How do you know whether the results are going to be different this time or if they are going to be the same? In this issue, Peter Clark gives you some tips on the proper way for companies to implement new processes.
Peter Clark
March 12, 2003
Taking Stock of Your Career

Assess the state of your career by making a list of the positives and negatives. By creating your dream job on paper you can form a plan to help you get there. Elisabeth Hendrickson encourages you to make the time to take stock of your current career situation.
Elisabeth Hendrickson's picture Elisabeth Hendrickson
March 5, 2003
A Look at Application Prototyping with easyPilot

This application tool allows non-programmers to produce working prototypes of Windows, or Web-based, database-driven applications. Read on to find out how this new tool makes protoyping a viable part of the IT software development process.
Bill Walton
March 5, 2003
The Upside of Downsizing

This article gives some pointers on surviving downsizing and will introduce you to the Scrum process. Scrum empowers teams by allowing requirements to be fluid while work is progressing. Learn what steps to follow to simplify and streamline your project by adopting this process.
Mike Cohn's picture Mike Cohn
March 5, 2003
Usability and Privacy

While most bugs that make headline news are due to careless software implementations exploited by skilled hackers, the problems in KaZaA center around its user interface. This article details KaZaA's application flaws and then suggests ways to prevent such flaws.
Nathaniel Good
March 5, 2003
Software Configuration Management Resources

It is essential that team members embrace SCM practices because coordination is necessary to achieve a reliable, productive product. After you determine which practices are appropriate, you can choose the right tool based on your needs and budget.
Steve Berczuk's picture Steve Berczuk
March 5, 2003
Are You Listening?

Chances are you won't be able to deliver on everything your customer wants. Asking good questions at the beginning of a project can help you determine where your customer wants to go. Although you may not be able to give them everything they want, if you are able to deliver the top ten things on a list of fifty items you've still delivered value. Keeping the lines of communication open is essential to helping you achieve your project goal.
Esther Derby's picture Esther Derby
March 5, 2003
The Productivity Factor

How effectively and efficiently your team functions can make the difference between project success and project failure. Once a decision-making process is established, it is up to the project manager to hold the team accountable to the process. Over time, processes can stagnate and lose their relevance. The project manager should continually monitor the process for applicability and make adjustments where necessary. Learn how to leverage your team's performance through process, structure, and team leadership.
Geof Lory's picture Geof Lory
March 5, 2003
Metrics That Matter: Making Measurements Meaningful for Everyone

Metrics are only worthwhile if you review and use them. Do your quality reports go directly from the inbox to the trash can? A quality metrics program can be a great asset to your organization. Engineering, sales, and the company overall can benefit from having such a program. This article will help you explore ways to make measurements meaningful outside of QA.
Marsha Holliday
March 5, 2003

Pages

AgileConnection is a TechWell community.

Through conferences, training, consulting, and online resources, TechWell helps you develop and deliver great software every day.