So, How About We Start with Minimizing Friction...

By, Drum Roll Please - Just Asking

It dawned on me one day that most of the friction in our relationships stemmed from some clients preferring an approach other than our standard delivery process.  They generally broke out into the following categories:

• Traditional Approach.  Define, design, develop, deploy.
• Agile Approach.  For clients embracing Agile Development methodologies.
• Knowledge Transfer Approach.  Teaching you to fish be self sufficient.
• Outsourced Approach.  From acquisition to operations.
• The Free Approach (seriously!).  We devote an enormous amount of resources to serving the Do-It-Yourself market through our online communities.  We provide free training and support online for users, developers and administrators.  For some examples check out our Blogs, Workshops, Labs, and Communities.  This is real meat and potatoes stuff - not marketing fluff.

My big moment came when I realized that...

Maybe It's Not The Methodology That Matters Most

With the hundreds (thousands?) of methodologies being championed, how can serious people espouse any single one as the "Best" or "Right" or "Only", choice?  Would that not mean that everyone else must be wrong?  Doesn't make sense.  As a matter of fact, I'd be willing to bet there are uncountable numbers of successes with every major approach.  Well, then, what's the key?  We've come to the conclusion that...

Maybe It's the Execution of the Right Methodology for Your Organization

Well, I hope this isn't anticlimactic.  On the other hand, if partners in any endeavor aren't aligned from the beginning, a positive outcome can be tough to achieve.

So Let's Start Off in The Right Direction

Take your time when considering the options:

• Traditional Approach 
• You.  Have a track record of implementing structured projects.  Have an experienced project manager to lead the effort.  Have, or will develop, well defined requirements.  Will commit to a realistic budget for outside help.
• Your Partner.  Has a real (beyond marketing spin) methodology that makes sense.  Has a track record implementing projects of a similar scope and complexity.
• Agile Approach
• You.  Have used an Agile approach on other projects.  Have some flexibility on deliverables, budget and time-lines.
• You Partner.  Has senior, highly skilled people to join your project team.  Has worked on Agile projects with other clients.
• Knowledge Transfer Approach
• You.  Have an outstanding team adept at picking up and implementing new technologies.
• Your Partner.  Is willing to "open the Kimono" and freely share all, even "insider" knowledge.  Is able to create a high level project plan to allow you to account for special requirements of the technology to be implemented.
• Outsourced Approach
• You.  Are committed to Outsourcing as a business strategy.  Are willing to give up some operational flexibility.
• Your Partner.  Has a program that aligns with your operational requirements.  Has senior, highly skilled people to assign to your account team.
• The Free Approach (seriously!)
• You.  Are totally self-sufficient for most of your business applications.  All you really need is a little knowledge once in awhile.
• Your Partner.  Is unconventional enough to recognize this approach as viable.  Is committed to working with clients in whatever ways best meets their needs. 

Have ideas on alternative approaches other than these?  Let me know, we have the agility to consider all options.