Software Engineering

The other day I invited a customer to have a look at a Microsoft Software Development Centre here in Brisbane. At the moment, we have about 40 developers (including testers, architects, project managers etc) working on a solution for another customer.

It was a very impressive setup – from the rows of dual monitor PCs, to the massive C-class safe. That safe stores customer-sensitive printouts and even the key to the server rack where the software lives. I guess the most impressive part was their use of Team Foundation Server and the associated processes they use around the Microsoft Solution Framework. At any time, they get all the graphs and reports they need to track work item status, bug counts etc etc. It really allows any project meeting to start with the facts as to where the project is at – rather than individual opinions (which is how too many projects seem to work).

And finally, because they are part of Microsoft, every line of code they cut needs to go our internal security group in Redmond who give it the thumbs up (or not) on the code.

It’s great to see software engineering – as opposed to cutting code. And on that topic, I’d really recommend this book by Sam Guckenheimer: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?ISBN=9780321278722