Beginner's Guide

The Basecamp-company 37signals
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writes in their visionary guidebook Getting Real
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: open source
(and also Joomla) web systems are very well equipped to stick to this rule. (Read the full book for other
good rules)
1. Open source has good prototyping & Proof of Concept capabilities, scope gets clearer ''after''
prototyping and thus scope changes.
2. An Open source web system has extensive and useful hidden functionality on board, loads of
change available (see also Negotiate continuously)
3. Scope should be flexible because customers change their mind on what they want, after
experiencing first results and possibilities. Customers learn on the job. And change their mind
accordingly. Scope creep is the negative effect, ''flex scope'' the positive solution.
This is the step-by-step:
Agree upfront that you put deadline first and flex the scope to meet the deadline. Explain honestly
what "flex scope" means. Lets call the customers "they". Be very open: what they want now, they don't
get in the end. Why not? Why not? Advancing insight will eventually lead to different systems! However
they do get what they want in every iteration towards the end result.
Be sure to be in charge of flexing the scope (no discussion, you have to meet the deadline, so you're
the one that makes decisions after touching base.
Plan a time buffer in your work towards a deadline. Use the buffer to flex the scope and make an new
version of your release plan. Do that by diminishing the number of functionality-blocks in the current
sprint, slim down functionality-blocks.
Manage possible frustration of customers
Never write off a functionality block yourself. Place it in a next sprint or in SprintX.
Communicate the flex scope action with a new Release plan
Stick to priorities in the Findings so far and write down every single remark (no duplicates) or new
wish explicitly.
BE FIRM BUT SYMPATHETIC
Main firm stands:
1. Never ever accept a fixed price contract again. Or make a ridiculous margin on top of your
quote. Open source web system development and implementation is just not suited to offer and work
Joomla! 2.5 - Beginner’s Guide
Monday, 30 January 2012! Page 252
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http://37signals.com/
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http://gettingreal.37signals.com/