More best and worst project names

My post on best and worst project names remains one of my most popular.  As a follow up, here’s a few more good and not-so-good names: Sunrise was the name of the project that separated our IT systems and infrastructure from our former corporate parent.  IMO it was an excellent name because a sunrise is [...]

Big picture = big map (HT @galleman)

Now that I’m somewhat out from under, I’ve caught up with some of the usual suspects on my reading list.  Glen Alleman is timely with another reminder (here) that an integrated master plan is essential. Program-level plans are as welcome in IT circles as garlic on a Twilight movie set, and I’ve never quite understood [...]

Matt Ridley on Gut Feelings and the Writings of Gerd Gigerenzer

Merry Christmas!  Here’s the gift of a little science for all you “gut” deciders. Matt Ridley posted this yesterday, pointing to research that suggests that… more detailed analysis does not necessarily improve a decision, but often makes it worse. He believes, in effect, that less is more: Extra information distracts you from focusing on the [...]

Difference between hard and soft elite disciplines

In my last post I referred to Steve Hsu’s (on Twitter @hsu_steve) post on credentials and elite performance.   Hsu distinguishes between the ”hard” and “soft” elite, where law, consultancy, and investment banking firms are… “soft” elite firms, whereas I will refer to hedge/venture funds, startups and technology companies as “hard” elite firms.  …In the latter category performance [...]

A few points re: elite consulting firms

Do you select, work with, or want to join the ranks of elite management consultants?Jim Manzi’s post on elite business recruiting at the American Scene gives first-hand insight on how those folks got there.  Three quick points of my own: Gut courses can come back to haunt you.  Ever tempted to dial back on your effort… say, take [...]

Quench your thirst for .NET best practices

If you and your development team want to take the next step re: .NET best practices, I can think of no better place to start than Pro .NET Best Practices. The author’s a Caltech engineering grad with many large-scale, mission-critical, “if I tell you I’ll have to kill you” projects under his belt. However, he’s [...]

Seth Godin on the “New Normal”

We’re getting out from under here so I’m digging through my own stack of stuff.  It has been exceedingly hard to post, but I’ve tried not to skimp on my reading.  That’s the least I can do to stay connected. I’ve linked to Seth Godin a number of times, and not just because of his [...]