1. Create a list of features for the planned product version.
   • Some people call this a specification.
   • You know you can ship when the planned features are implemented and tested.
2. Get product stakeholders approval on specified features before implementation begins.
   • The agreement on specified features helps everybody (developers, testers, sales, marketing, customers) know what the product is supposed to do when it’s done.
3. Create a feature wish-list to collect suggested future features.
   • The key to avoiding feature creep is to prevent the features from sneaking into the existing product specification.
4. Implement only the features that were agreed on for a planned product version.
   • Even though it’s tempting to include little features, DON’T DO IT.
   • Once you let a feature sneak in through the back door, they’ll bring their friends.
   • Before you know it, the product will be over-time, over-budget, and out of control.
5. Add new feature suggestions to the feature wish-list.
   • The most important thing to avoid is a product mutation.
6. Ship the intended product version
   • If you stay focused, the intended product version will be released, then you can add new features
7. Evaluate the feasibility of suggested features
   • Some features might be “pie in the sky,” and might not be worth the time and effort.
   • Other feature requests are “no brainers,” everybody sees the added value, it just makes sense to make the effort.
8. Repeat steps 1 through 7

Questions:

• Does this mean that you ignore new feature requests until a product has been released?
• If a new feature is essential to the success of a product then what do you do?

Notes:

• Be very careful when considering the addition of any new features.
• Any time you are adding a feature to a planned project you should modify the product version to reflect the fact that it has been changed.
• Any change should require stakeholder approval to ensure everyone understands the updated specifications of the product.

8 Steps to avoid feature creep is a post from: Words of Wisdom by MrWes thank you for reading my blog.

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Background: A week ago, I started repairing a gate damaged by the wind.  I removed the gate, rebuilt it with a reinforced gate kit.  This made the gate stronger than it was before.  I was in the middle of attaching the gate to the fence when the storms came.  I figured it wouldn’t be that big of a deal to stop installing the gate, it’s just a little rain I thought.  By the time the storm had finished there were some pretty strong winds.

Setback: Instead of picking up the project where I left off, I had a new problem to deal with.  Because the gate was not fully secured when I stopped, the force of the wind broke part of the post off that held one of the gate hinges.   After the post damage, the other gate hinge could not hold the force of the wind and ended up being bent way out of shape.

Challenge:  Fix the bent hinges and repair the broken post.  When I looked at the wreckage, I wondered if I could salvage this project without spending any more money on it or would I have to rebuild the gate from scratch.

Solution: The solution required two additional tasks.  First, the hinges had to be fixed.  Second, the post had to be repaired.  For the first task, a heavy hammer and some brute force were what I needed to rectify the problem.  To start off, I took the hammer and pounded the bent hinges into submission.  Fortunate for me, the hinges cooperated and yielded to my efforts at restoring their functionality.  For the second task, I focused my efforts on repairing the broken post.  The broken post was a 12 inch chunk that had broken off along the grain.  I figured, I could glue and screw the post back together.  To implement this plan I used Gorilla glue, clamps, and screws to hold it all together.

Result: With the post restored and the hinges functional again, I was able to remount the gate and completely secure the gate as I had originally intended.

Wisdom:  A partial installation is a bad idea.   When a challenge to its integrity comes, its weakest part may fail.  Always give yourself enough time to complete the job before the storms come or wait until the weather improves.

Finish the job before the storm comes. is a post from: Words of Wisdom by MrWes thank you for reading my blog.

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When I originally selected my web hosting service, the thought never entered my mind that I would ever exceed the limit.  Silly me for not realizing that a person who has a blog wants to have more people read their blog. As a consequence of fulfilling the goal of increased readership, the bandwidth usage would increase. Especially if you have written a post that everybody likes or have posted a nice picture that everybody wants to see.

If that wasn’t bad enough, not only did my blog increase in traffic, but I also helped a friend host their blog on my server.  This turned out to be a recipe for disaster.  It turns out that we both exceeded the bandwidth limits.

Unfortunately, this means I have to find another web host that will provide for my growing bandwidth and storage needs. Then, I have to install new software and transfer my blog databases. I am not looking forward to this experience. The last time I had to shop for an internet service was several years ago. At least, when it’s all said and done, I will have some stories to share with others who are considering a hosting service or moving to another hosting service.

Bitten by bandwidth usage is a post from: Words of Wisdom by MrWes thank you for reading my blog.

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I know it sounds weird, but trust me, it really works.  You should be able to find it in the colds section of your nearest pharmacy.  If you can’t find it there, I know they carry it at WalMart and Costco.

Spring & fall sinus relief is a post from: Words of Wisdom by MrWes thank you for reading my blog.

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How to get referrals:

• History of completion – projects are completed when you’re involved
• History of success - projects are done on time or ahead of schedule when you’re involved
• Be credible – worthy of belief; trustworthy
• Be excellent – exceed my expectations

When asked for a referral I run through my network list and ask these questions.

Referral questions:

1. Have I worked with this person before?
2. Has this person performed this kind of job before?
3. Did they do an excellent job?
4. Did they complete the job?
5. Did they do it in a reasonable amount of time?
6. Would I have them on my team again?
7. Can I trust this person to uphold my reputation?

If I can answer yes to all these questions, I will refer this person.

Why, would I go through all this trouble to ask these referral questions?

It all boils down to reputation.  A bad referral can weaken a solid reputation.

The next time you ask for a referral or a recommendation, don’t feel bad if they tell you, I’m sorry, but I cannot give you a referral at this time.  Don’t get upset.  Please, respect them for their integrity.  This means that their referral will be respected by others that know them.  Be excited that they said “at this time.”  This means a referral from them could happen in the future if they can answer yes to their list referral questions.  Let that be your motivation to complete that project above and beyond their expectations.  After you have completed the project, you can ask them again, “Now that I have completed this project with you, how about giving me that referral now?”

You never know, that’s all it might take to get that outstanding review you’ve been looking for.

Referrals and Reputations is a post from: Words of Wisdom by MrWes thank you for reading my blog.

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PUI (Posting Under the Influence) Issues:

• Incomplete thoughts – some sentences were only half a thought, when I read them, I couldn’t figure out why they were there in the first place.
• Incomplete permalink – the permalink was gibberish

This morning, I went back and edited the post I had originally done.  I couldn’t just leave it half way done.  That would be embarrassing.

In order to avoid this kind of mistake in the future, I am implementing MrWes’ Blog Post Guidelines / Checklist.

MrWes’ Blog Post Guidelines / Checklist:

• NO PUI- No Posting Under the Influence
• Don’t hastily post – it is better to not post at all than to release an incomplete post
• Save your Draft Post – you’re getting ready to take a break
• Log out of WordPress – you’re going to take a break
• Take a break – Give yourself some time clear your head.  You don’t know if what you just wrote is clear or not
• Review & edit your Draft Post – You should have a fresh perspective on what you were writing about
• Check your spelling & grammar – those words underscored in red might be misspelled
• Check your permalink – it might not reflect the title like you thought it did
• Check your Tags & Categories – your post focus might have changed since your last edit
• Check your SEO details – your SEO details might have changed since your last edit
• Take a break – If you’ve made any changes, you need to give some more time between your last edit and your final post
• Proof-read - Have someone else read your work before you finally post.
• Final Post – Once you’re sure you’ve given some time between your last edit and reviewing your work, then Post it.

Following these guidelines should help avoid most blog post mistakes in the future.

Did I follow my own advice?  Yes, I edited it about 4 times today.  It definitely looks better than it did this morning when I was typing it in.

No more PUI (Posting Under the Influence) is a post from: Words of Wisdom by MrWes thank you for reading my blog.

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