"Cracks widen" May 23rd - the cracks that are concealed but then revealed in software development


 This wasn't published, but was accurate in its predictions


From: Mike Cashman
Sent: 24 May 2020 15:46
To: 'letters@thetimes.co.uk' <letters@thetimes.co.uk>

Subject: "Cracks widen" May 23rd - the cracks that are concealed but then revealed in software development

Cracks are showing  (“Cracks Widen, May 23rd) over the supposed near-readiness of the Government’s new app, while doubts grow about the technical maturity of the software development process, doubts now highlighted by Steve Baker MP.
One of my previous roles was to investigate programmes going badly wrong. Typically IT systems were “nearly ready” with a date” next month” often postponed a month at a time. As soon as I interviewed the main protagonists the façade crumbled and people with relief admitted that the plans were fictional or foolishly ambitious. I reported findings to Directors or Senior Civil Service Managers who themselves often expressed relief at being told the truth.
We must be aware that if the software development capability is at a low level of maturity it is impossible for it to suddenly become fully mature and competent. There are habits, culture and processes that can only be improved over some time.
Earlier in my career I worked to fix problems in computer operating systems and similar software. Most “real-world” IT problems we encountered were caused by poor configuration management (CM) e.g. version control. Good CM is like having a clean operating theatre; if the environment is not clean then anything can go wrong and usually does.
No notice should be taken of promised dates – act only on the basis of clear delivery of intermediate results.  The Isle of Wight “trial” was clearly inadequate as it did not properly trial business processes.
My task in the above cases included assessing whether there was hope for recovery or salvage, or whether to look for alternatives. - bespoke software development can be  expensive and risky particularly when requirements are unclear..
I made such recommendations on  the basis of evidence.  Where there is a culture of hiding evidence, poor judgements will be made.

Mike Cashman
Author “Brexit's A Trick Not A Treat?”,  “Brexit's A Musical Trick”


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