In our technical IF forum (fachliches IF-Forum) of June, 24th, at Unterhaching, Thomas Vallon made quite a huge impression on our guests when he asked “Is Computer Science a Craft”?

During his presentation, he described parallels between modern software development and building a cathedral that are quite obvious when you take a closer look. In medieval times, building cathedrals was an exceptional craft. Each cathedral was a true mammoth project with its respective challenges.

Indeed, we discover that there are quite a few things they have in common. Besides, we also discover surprising “philosophical” parallels between our self-perception as software developers and those courageous medieval builders and craftsmen.

For instance, it took a very long time to build a cathedral. Sometimes, this led to different architectural epochs being prevalent while a single building was constructed (for example Gothic and Romanesque). In practice, this meant that a cathedral that was still under construction suddenly looked old-fashioned and badly needed renovation.

Since people believed in agility, they changed plans while they were in the process of building. They also modified, demolished and/or re-built entire sections of a building. There is hardly any cathedral where this was not done.

And through the entire process of “development” (while the cathedral was built), the “operation” (that is the basic function of a Lord’s house) had to continue undisturbed.

Apart from that, many cathedrals also prove in an impressive way what the craftsmen concerned with the edifice considered their “professional honour”. For example, many figures on the facade of Notre Dame have been worked with the same degree of accuracy at the back of the building and high up, although the artist certainly must have known that there was hardly going to be another human who would see it in the near future.
Well, this was only for wetting your appetite. If you want to read something really exciting, here is the manuscript.

Thomas Vallon – Ist die Informatik ein Handwerk?

Do read it!

The background images used during the presentation (designed by Johannes Naumann) are also highly recommendable:

Hintergrundbilder zum Vortrag (6)

I was particularly moved when Thomas dedicated the presentation to me as a present for my sixtieth birthday.

Thank you, Thomas!

RMD
(Translated by EG)

P.S.
What a pity that we do not have a video or audio tape of the presentation. But maybe we will manage next time!

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On the afternoon of June, 24th, (starting at 2 p.m.), we will have the first technological IF forum at InterFace. It is about agile methods. In many projects and over many years, our developers accumulated experience in agile software development. They have also contributed to various workshops with their experience.

“Agile software development” is a technological, methodical and cultural topic. We would like to share this experience with our customers and partners.

The chairman of our supervisory board, Professor Dr. Manfred Broy, will speak the introductory words. Here is the rest of the agenda IF-Forum Agile SW-Entwicklung (24. Juni 2010) (52).

Of course, I would be happy if many of you came, especially since you are also invited to drink my health because of the birthday I will have celebrated a few days earlier after the forum at 5 p.m.

All friends who cannot come to the forum but would still like to join in are very welcome at 5 p.m. – I will be happy about any guest who takes the time to come.

RMD

(Translated by EG)

Here is my report about what I presented at TUM.

On April, 13th, 2010, I gave a presentation at “Hot Spots of Software Development 2010” on:

Requirements Engineering (RE) in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.

The event was organized by TU Munich in cooperation with BICC-NET and VSEK.

When I prepared for the speech, our experts for requirement engineering, Michael Greulich and Johannes Naumann were a huge help. Many thanks to Michael for his precious advice and Johannes for the beautiful slides for the presentation RE (Folien zum Vortrag RE (75)).

The general motto of my talk was:

Talking about problems inflates the problems.

Talking about solutions improves the solutions.

I first read this “great sigh” on twitter. It was written by a suffering human being belonging to my business sector.

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On April, 13th, I will give a presentation at Munich Technical University on

Requirements Engineering in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

The sub-title is:

An Inter-Disciplinary Retrospective of Requirement Engineering (RE)

Talking about problems inflates the problems!

Talking about solutions inflates the solutions?

Here are some ideas that will recur in my paper:

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The InterFace AG has a new subcompany: the IF-TRAINING GmbH. It was founded by Jens-Christian Lang. Naturally, the logo of the new subcompany also contains our IF with the familiar face.

IF training offers its services to enterprises, government agencies and associations wishing to further consolidate their market position due to its excellent councelling.

Here is how Jens-Christian himself says it:

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Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.