Satisfaction

By ongki on September 10th, 2009

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Today at around 11pm, as usual, I switched off my notebook, packed and left the office. Mind was tired trying to fix some bugs in the system. Feeling guilty because I have yet to draft the design spec for the costing module that boss will need on Friday.

Feeling exhausted, the same old question appeared again. How come I am doing so many roles in this project? How come only me who has to do almost everything? How come I am involved in almost every phases of this project? If we are talking about SDLC, I’ve already did Requirement, Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation including Support.

Every once a while, I have to attend meetings to gather clients requirement, worst is the requirement is difficult to digest since the lady boss often talks in a “language” that I do not understand her. Often boss come into the picture to rescue but the synchronization of inputs between the three of us is a big question mark left unanswered! And then once a while, I have to, although I tried hard to escape those meetings with end user which ended up like bargaining in “pasar-malam”.

After a so-called requirements gathering, I often have to draft the system design, and then show manager, which sometimes is another “language” to me too. I blame myself sometimes couldn’t translate or even deliver the client’s request exactly to manager. In the end, I am left alone to think how to make it happen. Have to do analysis and this is my weakest point. I don’t like to think logic unfortunately

And often it is done parallel with development work. Development, meaning programming, is done by me, 90% of the codes is written by Elaine Ong and at the end of the day, no one is going to know what it is about
Good thing is I have few interns to help out but i am often in struggling mode when they can’t deliver what I expect. Last few weeks, had a misunderstanding with one of the intern. I realized, they need time and I can’t expect too much from them. I’ve been coding for 7 years but they are not even 7 months!
Good thing is, it is all my say when I code. I don’t care whatever standards as long as it benefits the system and user, and not the programmer. The reason why it will always take me longer time to code is because the output has to be user friendly(which XS currently lack of) and the input(the codes) has to be dynamic, reusable, and easily to be understood. Worst still, after code, I have to roll to server and i often leave the testing job to other colleagues and some times will create mistakes due to lack of testing. Today, all users couldn’t issue bills because I changed the money format from 1188 to 1,188. Adui…..

Next is implementation. When the system is deployed to live, I have to standby at client offices. Listening to the end user sarcastically comment on my system. Hello….it’s just you who don’t know how to appreciate. Give you XS existing module, you are dead!

I can’t run away from doing support, although I have a very good support guy who is mainly doing that.
Poor boy that often gets unfair and hurtful emails from the lady boss.
Have to fix bugs, reply emails during the weekend.

Last week was Matta Fair, one of Malaysia’s most popular fair, although this time it’s kinda not as happening as the previous, due to H1N1, i guess. But it must be one of the most remarkable for me. Client is using my system live, and most of the travel agency’s are not using any online system. Hey! My efforts got its return!
Despite the problematic printer issues, everything is fine, at least during the three days.
About 10 to 20 users are using my system live at the same time!!!! A very great experience for me. And this summarized and answered my questions. Yes, i have to multitask and being busy with great responsibility but it’s a chance to learn more, isn’t it?
After the complains, I often tell myself, ‘…do not count on what have you done, but to measure what else to be done to achieve success’.
I believe so. I see and learn this from my manager who often make things work and just did everything without complaining(not to me at least).

Matta Fair was tiring but it’s fun and I am mostly impressed with the teamwork that my colleagues and fellow interns show. Even the picky lady boss is satisfied.

QA – all the way from Malacca. The pretty one.

Now, this is the handsome boy who often gets ‘bomb’ from client. I called him Dung Dung Chang, because he is such a typical hakka boy, talk very loud!