Byrne Tony Byrne

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Software development practices matter

8-Feb-2007

Tags: Document Management (ECM), Portals and Content Integration, Web Content and Experience Management

Many enterprises expecting to install plug-and-play content management and portal solutions are frequently surprised at the extent to which they are really developing full-blown applications. And at that point, with any packaged software, you have to deal with the union of the vendor's vision and software practices, plus the approach of your development team, plus perhaps the methodologies of any outside consultants. We all see perennial debates about these things. For one particularly lucid compilation of good software development practices, check out Obie Fernandez's "software opinions." I would quibble with his dismissal of portability, but the other points all seem spot-on. For you, the key is to articulate in advance what practices are important for your enterprise -- or your outside suppliers will (by necessity) dictate them for you. And the time to start anticipating future conflict is before you sign on with any vendors and consultants...

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