Software Customer 101


Course Summary

Custom software project economics and dynamics. Evaluating vendors and proposals. Criteria for selection of vendor, scope and scale of project. Preparation for, and demands of, being a customer. Running a successful project.


Professor

Carl Erickson
Phone: 616 776 6020
Office Hours: MWF 9-10am
Office: Corner Desk, 2nd Floor, Atomic Object


Pre-requisites

The pre-requisites of the course are an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, domain expertise, and some technological savvy.


Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes of Software Customer 101 include:

  • a better understanding of software project dynamics
  • strategies for a successful project
  • guidelines for selecting a vendor
  • how to evaluate a proposal


Course Text

Course reading material will be developed incrementally, one blog posting at a time, with opportunities for students to critique the text as it develops. I expect approximately 20 lessons in the full course.


Course Outline


Welcome to the Course


I. Inconvenient Truths

Essential background for successful projects. The fundamental dynamics of software projects and software economics.

II. Doing Your Homework

What every customer needs to do and consider before they talk with potential software vendors. Practical advice for increasing the odds of becoming fantastically wealthy or getting that big promotion.

III. Evaluating a Vendor

What to look for in a custom software vendor. Bad signs; good signs. Essential issues, questions to ask your vendor.

IV. Evaluating a Proposal

Pitfalls and perils. Comparing alternatives. True cost.

V. Making the Choice

It is what it is. Selecting your development team.

VI. Running your Project

What to demand of your developers. Increasing your odds of success.