Robin Szemeti <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> On Tue, 23 Jan 2001, you wrote:
>
> > Heh. But if we're good at our job we can pull them through that.
>
> uhh .. I have on occasion worked with clients that I reckon are the
> exception to that rule ... some of them find lightswitches a
> technically challenging problem.
>
> I reckon the XP thing will work for clueful clients (or non clueful
> clients who can be lent a clue for a short while) however I reckon
> you need another layer of abstraction for totally clueless clients
> .. there is a whole class of clients so clueless (' I just want one
> of those dot-com things') that you probably need another level of
> handholding ... they discuss the artistic and 'feelgood' bits of the
> project in as precise terms as they can and then direct the XP team
> as the customers representative.
>
> A bit like employing an architect to design your new offices ... you
> express your ideas, he produces a cardboard model, you say 'ooh very
> nice make it so' and the architect liases with all the contractors
> .. next time you see the thing is when they hand over the keys.
>
> I know this goes against the XP idea but I really do think some
> clients will not have anywhere near enough clue to work that way ..
> or even the time or inclination to do it. I can see a role of
> 'architect' being needed on occasion.
I would say that part of the sales process should include weeding out
those kinds of clients. If it turns out that there aren't any we can
find with a clue, then the fun begins, but I'd like to think that the
market is large.
--
Piers
