When are we going to know more about the 'July' CB developments?
Question asked by Graeme Loudain 11 years ago
Hello,
I know a lot is going on and it might be July 'ish' , but when will we know more?
Thanks
G
Hi Graeme
There is a key aspect to software development that I have only become aware of since working with CB over the past year and that is that it does not (and can not) use the same linear project management methodology that you or I might use to design & build a Lego fort or that Henry Ford used to build his motor cars.
In layman's terms we are talking about a system not a structure, with thousands of inter-connections, thousands of stakeholders (eg users), with constantly changing demands and external changes imposed by changes in tax/accounts regulation, competitive pressures or market opportunities. So, even with the simplest of changes, what you planned at the start, when the idea was first mooted, can turn into something different a week later later and may actually never arrive as other demands impose themselves.
So developers have to work in small stages and be ready to adapt their plans, methods & content at a moment's notice. The best way to describe this methodology is to say they must be "agile" , which, as it happens, is exactly what the method is called in their world and you'll get chapter and a thousand verses if you Google "Agile Methodology".
So, if CB was to publish on the site their current list of maybe a hundred changes, tweaks & new stuff, with expected time tables, you would need to log back in every week or sometimes every few days, to see a completely different version, which is why they and other software companies are loathe to do it as it will always raise unrealistic expectations of the users and other stakeholders.
This is from me as an accountant and so I'm sure I won't have covered the technicalities properly but perhaps you can now understand that they are not being lazy, secretive or mendacious (I've always wanted to use that word) they are, by necessity, duckers & divers :-)
All the best Paul
Best answerAll understood.
My view is that by publishing a 'working on list' or 'next launch ideas' or something like that, you would be clearly and positively differentiating CB from the rest. Few would criticise CB if some items on a list were delayed or deleted.
And any answer that uses 'not company policy' as justification (I know its not your reason, you were told this) winds me up! I dont think I am alone in saying that. We have a company policy to give good service to our customers. When we make a mistake, by way of explaining I tell them ' that error was not company policy'. :)
Hi Graham,
It's good to hear from you! When my colleague said July-ish he no doubt was keeping in mind that we are working on a number of projects, so no concrete date could be given. We still have a little over a week to go this month and, as is the way with these things, it could even be early August. But, with things cropping up which need our focus, we can never be 100% accurate. As for the release of a road-map which you previously enquired about, I have asked and been told that it is not company policy to release such details. As I said above we can't give concrete timings as we never know what will come up, plus we do not want to reveal what we are working on before it is ready and we are happy with it. But, please be rest assured that as soon as any developments are added and released you will know about it.
Have a good day
Thanks
Chris
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