Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

Let us consider the humble design review. It is still valuable.

I have an idea. I think it will solve a problem or improve a situation. It is just an idea, but let’s try it. Perhaps—before we try it—let’s discuss it.

This discussion of an idea before trying it is a design review.

Now, that doesn’t sound too painful, does it? A simple discussion of an idea shouldn’t be difficult or costly. Perhaps we can improve the idea during the discussion. Perhaps we can discover that the idea is fraught with perils that I had not foreseen. Perhaps we can save ourselves a lot of cost and misery.

In the day of Agile we don’t hold design reviews much anymore. We can still do these. They can add value to our efforts. And we can do them efficiently, if we choose.