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For those interested in using my
services, here are some useful guidelines which can help make our collaboration more
productive and reduce development cost.
- The
first step is to clearly define what we are trying to achieve and what the
different metrics are: the input, output, performance requirements, what
is to be delivered and in what time frame, etc. This will allow me to give a
more accurate time and cost estimate and will also help us determine when
the project is completed.
- Estimates
are just that, so the fact that I say “it should take X hours
or Y days” doesn’t mean it will take exactly that amount of time. I try to be as
conservative as possible, as I don’t like unpleasant surprises myself. I
sometimes do finish projects sooner than estimated. It is also common for
software projects to turn out to be more complicated during the
implementation phase than expected during the initial phases.
- Please
do not make assumptions when you describe your system. So do not expect that
because a certain element or behavior seems obvious, it will also be obvious
to me.
- Related
to #3, give as many details as possible. For example, instead of “the
system buys when the moving average crosses the median line” use “the
system buys at market when the SMA of close with a period of 5 bars crosses
over the median line between high an low calculated as (high + low)/2”.
- Even
if we follow #3 and #4., there will always be elements that need to be clarified
– that is the nature of software development, so please be prepared to
answer many questions.
- This
will be an iterative process, so you will receive intermediate versions or
results that you can test yourself to make sure that they meet your
functional expectations. Based on your feedback, I will then continue the
work.
- Also,
related to #6, the project will certainly change as we go along, based on new
facts or a better understanding of the problem that comes only when trying
to actually implement an idea. As a consequence, the initial assumptions and
time estimates may have to be adjusted accordingly.
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