Lecture 2 Teams Principles What makes a good project Project Definition Project Plan

Teams Should meet identify any problems identify capabilities of members sketch out meeting schedule Start to define project Start to allocate & schedule work

Principles Make mistakes before it matters Early Before too much effort has been invested Think rather than act Work at a high level first

Principles Always consider alternatives Explore ~3 alternatives Evaluate them Choose the most appropriate record the rationale for your decision

Principles Don’t reinvent the wheel There is no shame in re-using existing work It will probably be better than you could do More complete More reliable More correct More efficient

Principles Don’t work in ignorance of existing or relate work research related work research underpinning work & tools review (describe, analyse & compare …) this work. Extract principles and lessons

Principles Don’t pass other people’s work off as your own Acknowledge & reference Use standard styles You will get credit for intelligent use of existing resources

Principles Be analytical Tasks Plans Designs Achievements etc. Always reflect on & analyse what you are doing or have done

Principles Start at the most abstract and work your way down

Principles Be lazy! Be smart!

Tips Keep a diary or log book Think about roles for team members Imagineer Researcher Completer Critic …….

Tips Iterate Prototype Allow time to learn things Expect to be disappointed  Software Partners …..

What makes a good project? Clear & realistic goals What do you want to achieve? Functional NonFunctional Can it be achieved?

What makes a good project? Specification Clear statement of what will be achieved Essential, desirable, luxury Achievement should be measurable Will not be complete but should cover all important issues

What makes a good project Project Management Planning Monitoring Reacting/fixing/modifying

What makes a good project Implementing Designing Building Testing

What makes a good project Documenting Goals Process Result

What makes a good project Evaluating Against goals and specification Functionality Performance Useability …..

What makes a good project Above all Imagination Thought Skill Awareness (e.g. of what is bad)