Reed Me : architect

It’s been real and it’s been fun...

reedme — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:23:35 GMT

I’ve really enjoyed my ~3.5 years here at Microsoft, especially the last year and a quarter inside SQL Server. Microsoft’s a great company that really takes good care of its employees and their families.

It’s with some sadness that I leave all my friends in Building 35 next week (and some of y’all over in Building 34, too -- heh), especially with all the cool stuff coming soon with Kilimanjaro. I’ve learned a lot from y’all. Katmai was a definitely a fun climb (even though I missed the first two years)!

To whomever takes over my job, here’s one article I wish I would’ve rediscovered and reread a year ago: How to be a program manager (Joel on Software)

I’m not going far, though. You’d think that Building 36 would be right next door, but... it’s not. You’ll have to walk a little bit further up the street past the convention center, but we can still do lunch from time to time. Office looks to a cool place to play as an architect, and I’m looking forward to the work!

Since I’m heading back into the wonderful world of operations, you’ll still get the occasional SQL Server bit from me, and I’ll probably mix in some SCOM, since that looks to be the first big project.

This week, I’m wrapping up my contributions to Samples Refresh 2 and working on transition planning for whoever takes over the samples reins next in SQL Server.

Awww, aren’t they just so cute?!

reedme — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:19:53 GMT

Look at all of them fixin’ to jump in the pool! Heh.

Not to minimize the difficulty that they’re embarking on, what with a 20% pass rate and all, but it’s great to see more people diving into the deep end of the SQL Server pool. Let’s hope as many Certified Masters as possible emerge from the other end of this rotation!

We had 17 victims, er attendees show up bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to take on the most challenging training available on the SQL Platform.
The Master Blog : Gentlemen (and Ladies) START YOUR ENGINES!!!

Good luck, folks. Study hard!!

The Problem with Software Architects

reedme — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:14:48 GMT

What’s the problem with software architects? Besides the fact that they think everything can be described in PowerPoint and Visio? With maybe a couple hundred pages of Word documents? Heh. It is problematic that “they” think things can be reduced to simple lists... or covered in one book.

I’m not saying there isn’t good information in there! My favorite title’s of the 97 are “Database as a Fortress” and “Control the data, not just the code”. But I have my own bias as a database architect. (Can you tell?)

97 Things Every Software Architect Should Know - The Book

They’re all labeled as “unedited” submissions for the book, but I’m going to make time to read them all this weekend.

Right after I get all the achievements in Left4Dead!

Back when I was an enterprise architect...

reedme — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:16:00 GMT

JP Morgenthal put together a brief care-and-feeding guide for managers of enterprise architects for CIO magazine. Back when I was an enterprise architect (or pretending to be one as a consultant), these are all things my management knew. Knew as in: I wish they did more than just be aware that I wanted them to behave this way. They could’ve done more than listen when I explained them (many times). Heh.

Establish clear goals and expectations before day one.
Introduce the EA to the key players at a single meeting, no later than day two.
Run blocker for your EA.
Don't expect your EA to drive the business.
Your EA is not just the über-tech-geek.

Almost always had trouble with #1 and #4, and sometimes with #2 and #5. It’s odd, but #3 reminds me of a funny Trace Adkins song, but it’s an important one that some managers don’t understand. Or maybe I’m just too opinionated, insensitive, arrogant or difficult for my own good. I’m mostly Irish after all. Heh.

Read the full article: Understanding Your Enterprise Architect: A Guide for Managers

Maybe JP will put together a good list of things that an EA is actually supposed to do so that the current crop that I’ve had recent contact with might actually do them?