Learn the right questions to ask

I frequently speak at universities. During the question and answer session, I often get the following question from a student: “What is a good question I should ask a potential employer?” My response is, “Does your company make money? Are you profitable?” First, there is not much future in working for a company that is losing money. Second, your first job should be with a company where you can learn. Those companies that are profitable are generally market leaders and successful.

Some clients have mastered getting their software development teams to reduce their estimates. This behavior has been rewarded repeatedly, but I would encourage clients and managers to take another approach. Instead of challenging the final number, challenge the methodology. Ask the question, “How did you come up with your estimate?” If the estimator does not provide some quantitative method, then the estimate should not be accepted. Estimates need to be based upon some quantitative approach.