Comments on: How We Do Things – Specification (Using the right tools) http://lostechies.com/scottreynolds/2009/11/13/how-we-do-things-specification-using-the-right-tools/ Just another LosTechies site Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:26:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Michael Iantosca http://lostechies.com/scottreynolds/2009/11/13/how-we-do-things-specification-using-the-right-tools/#comment-179 Michael Iantosca Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:00:54 +0000 /blogs/scottcreynolds/archive/2009/11/13/how-we-do-things-specification-using-the-right-tools.aspx#comment-179 great post Scott I use mockups/sketches extensively - visio, paper & pen and more recently sketchflow. Iteration with the customer in this process has been key to delivering a great end product. I recently inherited a project that was done by a large(ish) consulting firm that did very little iteration and the end product was not what anyone expected. I never thought of a high fidelity design as a "limiter" when handed to a developer - but you are so right. I have fallen into the trap myself as a developer. I have also been frustrated when developers working with me come back with their end product and don't think beyond the shiny design. I look forward to reading the rest of the series Michael great post Scott

I use mockups/sketches extensively – visio, paper & pen and more recently sketchflow. Iteration with the customer in this process has been key to delivering a great end product. I recently inherited a project that was done by a large(ish) consulting firm that did very little iteration and the end product was not what anyone expected.

I never thought of a high fidelity design as a “limiter” when handed to a developer – but you are so right. I have fallen into the trap myself as a developer. I have also been frustrated when developers working with me come back with their end product and don’t think beyond the shiny design.

I look forward to reading the rest of the series
Michael

]]> By: Scott C Reynolds http://lostechies.com/scottreynolds/2009/11/13/how-we-do-things-specification-using-the-right-tools/#comment-178 Scott C Reynolds Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:21:14 +0000 /blogs/scottcreynolds/archive/2009/11/13/how-we-do-things-specification-using-the-right-tools.aspx#comment-178 It really depends on the context of the whiteboard session. If it's done right when we're going to start on something (or in the middle of something and discussing further) then there may be no "deliverable" at all, because it's fresh. Sometimes it may be a picture attached to a story card, sometimes just a few added acceptance criteria, sometimes a mockup. Basically, whatever feels right. It really depends on the context of the whiteboard session. If it’s done right when we’re going to start on something (or in the middle of something and discussing further) then there may be no “deliverable” at all, because it’s fresh.

Sometimes it may be a picture attached to a story card, sometimes just a few added acceptance criteria, sometimes a mockup. Basically, whatever feels right.

]]> By: Corey Coogan http://lostechies.com/scottreynolds/2009/11/13/how-we-do-things-specification-using-the-right-tools/#comment-177 Corey Coogan Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:56:28 +0000 /blogs/scottcreynolds/archive/2009/11/13/how-we-do-things-specification-using-the-right-tools.aspx#comment-177 Hi Scott, I'm really enjoying your series. Much of what you are saying rings true for me and I've been struggling trying to get clients away from BDUF for a while. I will be using some of your arguments to augment my own in my quest to eliminate BDUF. http://blog.coreycoogan.com/2009/06/05/big-design-up-front-bduf-booooo/ I also share your views for using both textual stories and Balsamiq, which totally rocks (http://blog.coreycoogan.com/2009/07/24/mockup-alternative-to-visio-and-powerpoint/). I'm a big fan of the whiteboard as well and hammering out specs. What is typically your deliverable from a whiteboard session? Is it a mockup and story? Or does it result in some other artifact that includes a picture of the whiteboard? Hi Scott,
I’m really enjoying your series. Much of what you are saying rings true for me and I’ve been struggling trying to get clients away from BDUF for a while. I will be using some of your arguments to augment my own in my quest to eliminate BDUF.

http://blog.coreycoogan.com/2009/06/05/big-design-up-front-bduf-booooo/

I also share your views for using both textual stories and Balsamiq, which totally rocks (http://blog.coreycoogan.com/2009/07/24/mockup-alternative-to-visio-and-powerpoint/). I’m a big fan of the whiteboard as well and hammering out specs.

What is typically your deliverable from a whiteboard session? Is it a mockup and story? Or does it result in some other artifact that includes a picture of the whiteboard?

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