| Process & Architecture Consulting |
- Software development is an art not a science.
- Majority of the applications that are written never go to production.
- Most software development efforts exceed estimated budgets and time.
- Many software applications are re-written as soon as they are ready to go to production.
- Software development efforts are disrupted as developers leave and take the knowledge with them.
- The requirements change so often that the developers find it difficult to keep pace with what needs to be built
Indeed all of these are true. Most developers, project managers, designers, users and other stakeholders are continuously trying to fight with these problems. While the solutions to these and the many other challenges associated with software development are neither simple not straightforward there are two aspects of software development, namely process and architecture, which do alleviate some of the problems and enhance chances of success.
Adopting a process is perhaps the first step to measuring, controlling and managing the effort of software development. However, one needs to understand that process adoption per se is not a panacea to all problems and adoption of inappropriate processes can be counterproductive. Often sequential waterfall processes work well only in situation where the requirements are well defined and fixed. For most business software application development iterative and lightweight agile processes seem to work better.
Architecture is the most talked about and perhaps the least understood topic in the realm of software development. Definitions of architecture vary from implementation independent abstraction to design and even code level engagement. For us architecture implies high level implementation independent abstractions, implementation specific design, technology specific choice and program structuring. A good architecture we believe can help make effective software. Architecture impacts software development by helping make the right decision early on and in preempting the down stream problems. Further, it helps in adoption of best practices and patterns and leverages reuse.
Saven has over the past few years developed expertise in both the domains of process and architecture excellence. Saven's consultants have effectively coached many teams, both large and small, in the areas of process and architecture. Saven also conducts workshops and tailor made initiatives for its clients that range from short-term engagements to handholding through the project life cycle. |
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