2013-04-06
Stupidity: Part III
I finished a project at work 3+ months ago: Convert an Access database that was always getting corrupted to a SQL database and write an updated user interface. The first difficulty was identifying who the users are; second what they didn't need trom the old app; third, what they did need that wasn't in the old app... just the standard "what is this program REALLY supposed to do?" kinds of questions. There was a LOT of project creep as we worked through their changing specifications and expanding user list.
Did I mention that we've been in full scale production for over THREE months? As in this project is DONE?
Yesterday, I got a call. There was an issue with the app... 3 months in, a few bugs are not unexpected... the issue was that the online users weren't getting updated data. My response was "what online users?" Someone (my boss, the lead business partner, any of the users...) had neglected to tell me about this "minor" piece of the project. I had written and deployed a desktop application for internal use. No internet based users... a couple that accesss the app using the corporate VPN, but NO EXTERNAL USERS.
When I tracked down the involved parties I got responses of "Are they still using that?", "I haven't touched that code since 2006", and "I wasn't even working here when that was written".
Specs defined; approved; guess what I'm doing Monday?
The other question I've thrown out is "what else haven't you told me?"
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