Doesn't Anyone give Realistic Development Timelines Anymore?

[Big_D]

Seriously, its pissing me off, hurry up and wait.

From where I am sitting you can add 2 weeks onto what anyone tells you as a timeline for work you contracted them for.

Hook line and sinker, you tell them the turn around you need, they promise a deadline, 2 weeks later its still not fucking done and your forced to wait.

Sorry had to vent, just wish people would be more honest, other people schedule things around dates that are "set in stone" and when its late, it comes out making both parties look like asses.

[jact]

The largest problem is, most people lack any form of formal training or education, so they lack the skills which are primary in good time management. I found a dramatic change when I stopped using informally trained labor and began using only skilled labor. Sure, it costs a lot more, but you actually see things on time (And sometimes even early). It's a world of difference.

[Big_D]

Originally Posted by jact

The largest problem is, most people lack any form of formal training or education, so they lack the skills which are primary in good time management. I found a dramatic change when I stopped using informally trained labor and began using only skilled labor. Sure, it costs a lot more, but you actually see things on time (And sometimes even early). It's a world of difference.

These are skilled people I am talking about, instead of getting the secondary labor it was indeed the higher price i paid.

[jact]

Originally Posted by Big_D

These are skilled people I am talking about, instead of getting the secondary labor it was indeed the higher price i paid.

Finish the project, cut them loose and find someone new. People who delay my deadlines don't like working with me again, so I don't have the cut them loose issue.

[Big_D]

Originally Posted by jact

Finish the project, cut them loose and find someone new. People who delay my deadlines don't like working with me again, so I don't have the cut them loose issue.

trust me we are about there hahah

[CarlosTheGaucho]

Well I have my own experience with deadlines... unless you are very clear and very detailed in the contract and the assignment - you're gonna get into trouble and someone will try to pull a high on you.

[jay23]

Originally Posted by Big_D

Seriously, its pissing me off, hurry up and wait.

From where I am sitting you can add 2 weeks onto what anyone tells you as a timeline for work you contracted them for.

Hook line and sinker, you tell them the turn around you need, they promise a deadline, 2 weeks later its still not fucking done and your forced to wait.

Sorry had to vent, just wish people would be more honest, other people schedule things around dates that are "set in stone" and when its late, it comes out making both parties look like asses.

Been developing software for all most 20 years. every single project except for one was over time or got delivered under spec. I can write a book on this but their are many books out.

The only project that I did got out on time, on budget error free was a ground navigation software for aircrafts, but then again the spec time took more then dev time

[The Heron]

Do it all yourself, I'm never late haha

[baddog]

I include a late penalty fee to contracts. The longer they take to get it done, the less they get paid.

[IllTestYourGirls]

Bingo. They do that in construction why not the internets?

Also if you are hiring someone to do a project you are doing for someone else it is always smart to pad the est time line. If you are early you look good and you are rarely late.

Originally Posted by baddog

I include a late penalty fee to contracts. The longer they take to get it done, the less they get paid.

[baddog]

Originally Posted by IllTestYourGirls

Bingo. They do that in construction why not the internets?

Also if you are hiring someone to do a project you are doing for someone else it is always smart to pad the est time line. If you are early you look good and you are rarely late.

Programmers and designers are the worst when it comes to deadlines and why I refuse to refer anyone that asks.

[CarlosTheGaucho]

Originally Posted by baddog

Programmers and designers are the worst when it comes to deadlines and why I refuse to refer anyone that asks.

Well one part of the problem is the more free hands they have to do something the worse will be the delays.

You would almost need to specify every single click and every single thing and you need to spend ages in projection and preparation if you want to be more or less sure that it will fulfill your requirements.

Many underestimate this, overestimate someone's experience, take something that was spoken about as agreed and take many things for granted - it's the biggest mistake I did...

[CarlosTheGaucho]

Originally Posted by jay23

The only project that I did got out on time, on budget error free was a ground navigation software for aircrafts, but then again the spec time took more then dev time

That's exactly my point, you can't get anything on term if you can't manage the realisation.

[JamesK]

I've had quite some problems with that. Nowadays I just guess how many days it's going to take, then double it and that'd be the deadline.

Works great.