We just finished updating the Lotpath Software Development Process page on our website. In particular, we spent time reflecting on our philosophy of software development and the way our company operates generally. This was a great opportunity for us to reflect on our stated values and to evaluate how well we align with those values. Of course, alignment is an ongoing, iterative process. For now, we have put our stake in the ground, choosing to define ten elements that form our philosophy.
The Lotpath Philosophy
- Be Agile. Adapt quickly to changing circumstances. The strong may survive, but the agile will thrive.
- Focus on Business Value. Deliver working software that provides business value. Do this early and often.
- Only Deliver Business Value. Avoid adding bloat to software projects such as features that are never used or documentation that is never read.
- Avoid Analysis Paralysis. Create just enough requirements, specs or documentation to gain shared understanding of business value.
- Streamline The Feedback Loop. Use automated testing and continuous integration practices to provide a continuous, automated feedback loop.
- Fix Defects First. Give software defects higher priority than new features and fix them first.
- Relish Honesty. Seek the truth. If you need help, ask for it. When you make a mistake, own it, learn from it, and try not to repeat it.
- Embrace Change. Technology changes every day. If you don't change with it, you become a relic of the past.
- Keep Learning. Survival in the world of technology requires constant learning. Learn something new every day.
- Have Fun. Express your creativity, try new things, learn from others, and enjoy doing it.
What elements form your software development and project management philosophy? What would you add to this list, or remove from it? How do you increase alignment between stated values and actual realities?
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