How filmmaking is like launching a start-up

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On Project Management

There could be a point here. Currently I am struggling with notions involving Extreme Programming, Agile Programming or Rational Application Development in contrast with methodologies used by Arther Andersen (Method 1) and supported by Microsoft Project Manager.

The comparison to film making is important because it is how Microsoft built its software up until recently (I hope). The premise is that software creation is like film creation. The assumption is that after 5 or so years the product will have little value. In other words, it is a perishable that will be replaced by another film, rather than a foundation upon which there is continuous improvement.

In quality management speak it is the contrast between re-engineering and continuous improvement.

In Harold Kerzner's "Project Mangement - A Systems Approach to Planning Scheduling and Controlling", re-engineering is a notion where you start over. You through out the baby and the bath water. You reconstitute both the tool resources and the human resources and then you set out create the next film - or next replacement for an old Microsoft Product.

About the only thing remaining the same is management and possibly the brand name. Continuous Improvement implies taking the baby and growing it. The bad dirt goes out with the bath water. They are two ends of the spectrum.

Having reviewed the first edition of Front Page and finding it wanting in comparison to other products at the time I had been using, I wonder if any code was saved. I suspect not. It was like a film in that way.

At one time Microsoft management desired software to be viewed like film creation for tax reasons and (I believe) because the notion of perish ability appealed to the criminals running the company. Software never should be written as if it is to be obsoleted in entirety after a few years. That is a criminal business model. It should be written to industry standards and maintained transparently. The baby should grow and mature.

Posted by: mighetto   Posted on: 08/10/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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