[AccessD] Burn-out

"do my best guess at hours required, then double the hours"

That, my friend, is excellent and valuable advice that I strongly support.   Happy to double it again in some instances, depending on how busy I am. 

Cheers
Darryl


-----Original Message-----
From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Arthur Fuller
Sent: Tuesday, 31 January 2012 6:36 AM
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
Subject: Re: [AccessD] Burn-out

I'm entirely with you on the points you made, Gustav. Frankly, I am pretty expert at saying NO and LATER, but it took me years and numerous battle scars to arrive at that wisdom. Now I go even further: I read the specs, do my best guess at hours required, then double the hours, because I have learned to defend against my optimism, and because I know that there will be feature-creep, regardless of the precision of the specs.

On the team concept, I also agree, for several reasons:

1. In any app, there are parts that a novice could perform under guidance.
2. In any app, there are parts that demand a little rocket-science, and those are best left to the most seasoned member of the team.
3. In most situations, design of the UI is fundamentally different than implementing the code required -- different skill sets, and ideally, different people.
4. The strength of a chain is defined by its weakest link -- a superb reason to hire an accountant rather than do it yourself.

On Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 11:08 AM, Gustav Brock <Gustav at cactus.dk> wrote:

> Hi Mark
>
> Ha! I missed that completely.
> This makes the situation clear and simple: You are the only one to 
> blame, and the only one in power to make a change.
>
> You just have to learn the words NO and LATER. And supplement with 
> different charges, where you favour those of your clients that are 
> able to plan in a decent way.
> Those over-the-weekend clients always calling in Friday at Noon 
> (because they "suddenly" remember, and have to call you before they 
> turn off for a wonderful weekend!) are used to, that they can get away 
> with this and Mark never says no.
>
> Also, couldn't you team up with someone? I know, I know ... you are 
> the best, but probably not for everything. And that is needed if 
> someone should be able to jump in for you while you are on holiday - 
> with e-mail and remote access shut down.
>
> /gustav
>
>
> >>> marksimms at verizon.net 30-01-2012 16:41:32 >>>
> Sorry no - I'm the management !!!
> But I've got clients with deadlines and budgets....that THEY SET.
>
> I just can't seem to get to a cruising speed of 60 mph.
> I'm either at zero(doing nothing) or 100 mph(multiple concurrent 
> contracts)....and veering out-of-control.
> That's my current state.
>
> >
> > Hi Mark
> > Blame management for poor resource planning. That's the essence of this.
>
>
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>



--
Arthur
Cell: 647.710.1314

Prediction is difficult, especially of the future.
  -- Niels Bohr
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