Shipping software ---
Very few events in my work life match the euphoria leading up to the RTM stamp. I know very well why this is. It's got something to do with being a valued member of team that values its members. Not shipping a software product for over a year is probably the worst thing a manager can do for retention, morale, quality, work life balance and all the other items that validate the 'worth' of a team and bond individuals to their mission.
Shipping -- It's where you and all your other team members prove their competence and commitment. Difficult decisions must be made. There's constant reminder of the cost involved with slipping. (I won't even go here.) You start the process with so much 'cash' in your hand and quickly find out it won't go as far as you thought. The technical skills can compensate to some degree -- the soft-skills MUST kick in. It's more than being able to negotiate solutions.... it's about being able to summon up a vast quantity of customer empathy and applying it to each decision.
'Customers' is a loose term for all the people that will experience consequence for a decision that you make. Customers -- sure, the ones that actually pay for the product or service. But there's so many more to consider -- marketing, sales, customer support, resellers, and the all important end-user!!!
This is when a great team shines. You get three or four (or more) people in a room and start whacking at the bugs before you. Everyone gets a say. Sometimes you 'win' - sometimes you're 'won-over' - sometimes you realize the cost is not worth bickering over. Other times you all look at one another and say: 'This one - we simply have to take...ouch!' No guilt, no shame, no blame, no games... just stay focused on the customer and be willing to consider your colleague's point of view.
We're at ZBB -- Zero Bug Bounce. A term we use to say we're nearly ready to declare our Release Candidate. Bugs we swat are staying down. Regression is zip.
We know we have a winning product and service that will very soon be in the hands of customers. We know it’s not perfect. You'll let us know that over the coming months, I'm sure. What we do know is that it is 'Optimal' -- That means that you will have enough features and functionality to reliably start using it to meet your business objectives -- soon! Enough of the right things at the right time. That's 'Optimal'
More next week as we get through the final stages towards our goal: RTM - Release to Manufacturing -- Like any good story or song -- there's a perfect blend of tension and release happening in Microsoft SLP Services.
Stay tuned,
Terrence Nevins (the mouthpiece for SLP Services Business Group)
