Architecture

The goal of architecture support is to ensure the developers know how each piece of the software will be created and tested and how each piece fits together by producing a detailed structural documentation.

Structure

A solid maintainable application is made up of several components:

• Framework - The foundation of the rest of development, supplies the services that are needed by multiple parts of the system.
• Application logic - The business of the system, how the system manages data.
• User Interface - The visible system, what the customer sees when they interact with the system.
• External Interfaces - The connection to other systems. Information is interchanged with other systems.

Task Definition

The complete development of the application needs to be broken down into manageable size tasks. Each task describes a small portion of the software, how it will be tested and how much time will be required to complete the work.

With the right kind of guidance, your development staff can learn to understand both the limit and the scope of individual tasks.

Milestones

During software development certain tasks mark the completion of significant goals (completion of the framework, first module based on a new tool, etc.). These points are good opportunities for management to analyze the progress. Milestones can also be used for motivational support, using anything from lunch on the company to cash bonuses for significant milestones.

I can work with the executives to determine the milestones and help to lay out a motivation plan commensurate with each milestone.

Schedule

Once all the tasks are defined they need to be assigned to specific developers who possess the skills to complete the tasks to create a timeline. The timeline is attached to a calendar to create the development schedule.

I can assist executives and senior developers to work together to create the timeline and schedule.

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