I was reading, “Are You Following the Instructions on the Paint Can” article on Codeing Horror, which directed me to The Jole Test: 12 Steps to Better Code and thought I might as well check out his checklist.

  1. Do you use source control?
    Yes, we do. We use Visual Source Safe, VSS, as our source control.
  2. Can you make a build in one step?
    This is a tough one. We did have a batch file which do all those check outs and build all projects at once but the file itself screwed up a few times and we gave up using it (lazy to fix). So answer to this step, no, we can’t make a build in one step (for the moment).
  3. Do you make daily builds?
    I think we do daily builds 90% of the time, well atleast I do final build before I go home everyday. We got a small team so never really happen a serious source breaking. Yes good idea about babysitting punishment.
  4. Do you have a bug database?
    My first impression on this, What’s bug database?, but then he was just talking about Bug Tracking. So yes, we have bug tracking list where we usually update after every build.
  5. Do you fix bugs before writing new code?
    I think half of the time, Yes, the other half, No.”zero defects methodology”, good point.
  6. Do you have an up-to-date schedule?
    Definitely No. We do have some schedule in the beginning but then it keeps falling apart after a few week. All of us really slack at keeping up-to-date schedule.
  7. Do you have a spec?
    Yes, we do but pretty bad spec cos it’s some what incomplete. I hate writing and I don’t like the idea of sending programmers to “an intensive course in writing”. So I propose for “hiring smart program managers” to do all the write up.
  8. Do programmers have quiet working conditions?
    Ah…I guess so, most of the time. Well that doesn’t really affect me since my eyes and ears are pretty well trained. Once I’m into something, I won’t see or hear a thing around me. You can yell right at my ear and I won’t hear you. But if I got stuck or frustrated and lost my concentration, tiny bit of noise would annoy me like hell and there follow my bad mood.
  9. Do you use the best tools money can buy?
    We do have a few grumpy programmers over the tools we got to use. But understanding for the company as it’s a small one and I guess what they provide is not the best but pretty much efficient.
  10. Do you have testers?
    Testers? Ah…does PM count as a tester? No, we don’t have dedicated testers.
  11. Do new candidates write code during their interview?
    Not at all. I did have to explain a functionality of written piece of code during my interview. I guess the main reason I got job was cos’ I was a GIRL which they lack and need to add some feminine in their team. Pretty bias I know, but what the heck, I turn out ok.(I think)
  12. Do you do hallway usability testing?
    Usability test is one thing we don’t do often. So yah we need to improve on this.

To summ up, I guess we do ok considering we have a small team. Ofcos some good points to note and need improvement.

So how did you do with the checklist over your team?

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