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Process Perspective: Keep All Re-use in Mind When Establishing your Software Development Process

Software re-use is a worthy and noble ideal to aim for during any development, but why not let’s take a bigger picture view of the whole software development environment. Make the goal to set up our process so that as much as possible is re-used on subsequent projects. Here are some thoughts on achieving this.

Charles Edwards
Making SCM Agile

When the notion of implementing software configuration management (SCM) on a project is considered, the first thing that usually comes to mind is a methodology that uses a generous amount of process and documentation.

TechWell Contributor's picture TechWell Contributor
CM Problems in a Complex Technology Environment

A number of issues that not only affected the SCM group, but the entire software development group arose while I was working at a company as the Director of Process Management. My primary focus was to develop a methodology (or set of methodologies) that would (1) reduce software build time and (2) make the overall software development lifecycle more cost-effective. The job at hand was to automate the company’s many manual business processes using a new application development system for automating e-business change.

TechWell Contributor's picture TechWell Contributor
Using Process-Enabled SCM Tools to Facilitate the Software Development Lifecycle

When used appropriately, process-enabled SCM tools facilitate iterative team software development in a highly dynamic environment. As SCM practitioners, we should educate and guide our customers, the members of software development teams, to exploit the application lifecycle capabilities of process-enabled SCM tools.

Michael Sayko
Integrating a Requirements Management Tool into a Software CM Environment

Most people think they know what configuration management (CM) means. And they're right. Unfortunately, they don't all think it means the same thing. So let's look at some of the basics of CM. This isn't a "how to" article, as much as it's an "at least" article:  at least you'll know what to expect for the rest of this article.

 

Austin Hastings
Don't Believe Everything You Read!

There are volumes of written material covering just about every aspect of software engineering. Books, articles, magazines, conference proceedings, Web sites, and other rich sources of information are readily available to those learning about our profession. However, based on personal experience and observation, Ed Weller is compelled to ask how much of this information is actually misinformation. Anytime you collect data you must proceed with caution! In this article, we'll find out why Ed questions validity and accuracy and what you can do next time you're faced with questionable material.

Ed Weller's picture Ed Weller
Codeline Merging and Locking: Continuous Updates and Two-Phased Commits

This month we will discuss the subject of merging our changes with the codeline. First we will outline the basic process to use. Next, we'll mention some of the obstacles that arise, and strategies to overcome them. We will conclude with a discussion of how to decide which strategies are right for you!

Establishing Unit Test Criteria

It is time for a new build. What should be included in it? Obviously, it should include the latest and greatest versions of each module. Right?

Alan S. Koch
Experience Report: Using the Stable Receiving-Line to Support Parallel Development

What words come to mind when you mention “parallel development” to software developers and projects managers? Complex and painful may be the typical response. Yet parallel development need not be difficult and laborious. By adopting an appropriate branching and merging strategy, parallel development can be straightforward and efficient.

Michael Sayko
What to Do when Anger Strikes

When someone pushes your buttons, anger is a natural reaction. Ideally, you can calmly express that anger, without lashing out. Sometimes, however, anger provokes a response that is excessive for the situation, inappropriate for the context, or counterproductive to what you're trying to accomplish. In this article, Naomi Karten offers suggestions for controlling anger rather than letting it control you.

Naomi Karten's picture Naomi Karten

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