Author Archives: Big_GH

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About Big_GH

Currently employed as a Software Development Consultant with over 30 years experience with computing. Started writing BASIC programs on the Commodore VIC 20, C64 and Amiga before switching to C and C++. Now spends more time helping others with their software and looking after the "bigger picture".

What Makes a Good Manager?

I have worked with many managers over the years.  Some of them I have found inspirational, others absolutely unbearable, but I’ve tried to learn from them all. So, what is it that makes a good manager? Well, here’s my 5 … Continue reading

Posted in motivation, peopleware, planning, process, Project Management, time management | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Risks

I remember being a technical lead on a project and working with our project manager and his newly introduced risk register.  Something bothered me about that risk register and the way it was being used and I’ve recently managed to … Continue reading

Posted in planning, process, Project Management, software development | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Update

It’s been a while since my last post, so I thought I should try and fill the gap a little. I should have been posting my discussion on Risks; what they are and how to deal with them. However, having … Continue reading

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Software Develpment and Customer Support

Here’s something that has bothered me for a while – being able to manage a software team which involves keeping on track with new developments whilst still supporting our existing customers. First, a quick look at the history of the … Continue reading

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Three Levels of Object-Oriented Programming

Everyone claims to understand Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), it is taught on nearly every programming course and is supported by nearly every programming language in general use. However, if my own experience is anything to go by, then there are very … Continue reading

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The State of Project Management

As software project managers we have a reputation for delivering poor quality products, finishing late or over running our budget. Is this because as project managers we are deficient in some way, or is it the nature of our projects … Continue reading

Posted in planning, process, Project Management, software development | Tagged | 1 Comment

Why do developers think they know everything?

Ok, so maybe it’s not just developers who think they know everything, but there does seem to be a stronger concentration of ‘know-it-alls’ within our community. You know the person, they are always right and they are unable to see … Continue reading

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News

You may have spotted that my domain name has changed. I’m now the proud owner of http://thebiggh.com I’ve also joined Twitter.  You can follow me by clicking this button:

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Changing Managers

As part of a very successful and growing company it has been interesting to observe and be part of the changes that have taken place. When I first became Software Development Manager I had responsibility for all aspects of our … Continue reading

Posted in Bradford City Football Club, Football Management, motivation, peopleware, process, recruitment, software development | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Getting Things Done

Whilst on holiday last year I did something I haven’t done in a while – I went to a bookshop. It was whilst browsing the various books on offer and noticing how small the computing section had become that I … Continue reading

Posted in GTD, time management | Tagged | 3 Comments