Re: (OT) Proving Productivity?

[johndageek]

Metrics are a challenge to make your metric look good.

Specifications are how a boss expresses his/her misconception of the mis-understanding the committee has of the need of the worker.

Problem solving takes understanding of the real need, resource limitations, an ability to think outside of the box, apply the KISS method and take into account the human factor.

Pay a programmer by LOC and you will get lots of LOC. Can you imagine paying a carpenter to build your house by the number of nails he uses?

Payment/measurement needs to be based upon ROI. If my solution saves a clerk 15 minutes a day ($10 per hour/4 * 5 days per week * 50 weeks) or $625 per year. my solution better not cost more than $1000 or about a year and a half for payback.

The hardest part of a justification is when there is a substantial framework/infrastructure investment required. Payback periods become longer, and future gains based upon that investment need to be analyzed.

Why all the meandering? Because we are all paid for the benefit we provide to our customers/employers. Learn to express it in a way that any business person can understand and you will work on more extensive projects and provide more value as well as reap greater benefits.

Unless you want them to do all the thinking, and try to measure your performance by some number marginaly related to what you do.

I am now stepping down from the soap box.

Enjoy!
John