Mary Schmidt Marketing Troubleshooter

I’m working on a screamin’ fast track $oftware development project for a client, as in: First meeting with software developers was this past Tuesday; first deliverable is scheduled for next Tuesday (yes, that’s right, 7 calendar days.).  We’re talking mad coding and  on-the-fly reviews.  We’ve got deadlines (tied to – ahem – money) so we’re laying track as the train keeps running.

This does not, however, mean we’re simply throwing something down on the ground and hoping the train can make it…

Speed is no excuse for sloppy work.

We’ve got a project manager who’s making sure everything is documented and communicated.

We’ve got experienced systems people who don’t panic at deadlines (well, okay, they do lift an eyebrow or two).

We’re making sure everyone has access to everything they may or may not need, in a central repository, so they can grab and go.

We’re having daily action reviews and status reports (quick - no Powerpoint client pontifications needed, thank you. And, if needed, we can all connect via videoconferencing.)

We’re meeting with our first customer today to review and verify first set of deliverable requirements.

I’m continuing to develop and refine the product road map (so we can see where we need to keep laying track).

Of course, as in any development project, something will go off track at some point.  But, everyone on the project team knows that, has been through it before…and we’re communicating, so we’ll be prepared.

…that light you seeing coming at you?  It could be the money train…;-)