The Digital Way
Before you jump onto the digital band wagon, take just a bit of time to think about what it involves and what you want from the exercise. By the exercise I mean your move to a solution for your master log. The result of this may actually be that you should just stay with paper, or it may be ditch the paper log and go digital.
You just need to think about what works for you, does using underlining or filling in index cards work. No matter what paper system you use, I’m going to say if there isn’t a problem with it – why move to digital. You risk introducing a problem that did not exist, so be sure it is what you want to do. Abandoning a paper system for digital and then changing your mind, it is a recipe for a lot of pain.
Plan a trip to Moscow
There is a way of designing software, it’s called the Moscow Method – it’s an acronym. It can also be used to evaluate whether software is fit for purpose, which is what this post is all about. When we consider the Moscow Method, we are nominally discussing a software project. But an often overlooked point is that from the user perspective, you are the driving entity for new features and enhancements.
Without being too blunt, you can create a list and address the whole thing with the developers of the software. How to use the Moscow Method as a software user, it is pretty simple see the details of how we adapt it below.
The acronym MoSCoW is derived from the first letters of four prioritization categories.
- M – Must have: These are critical requirements that are essential for the softwares suitability. Without them, the software is considered unsuitable. If you have a list of key functions, you should use this part to eliminate software and websites.
- S – Should have: Important functions that are not critical but add significant value. They are high-priority items that you consider important, asking when will this function be available – should elicit the response – soon.
- C – Could have: Desirable features that enhance the project but are not essential. They can be included if enough users ask for it, any software or website has to be perpetually in development – this environment only functions with user requests and feedback.
- W – Won’t have: Features or requirements that developer has excluded from the current development cycle. They are recognised but deferred for future consideration, either it is too big an ask or is to resource intensive.
The interstitial “O” letters in MoSCoW are added to make the acronym pronounceable and do not represent any specific word
So how does it work?
If you have got this far, then the technicalities are simple – most software applications and web sites for spotters will have some kind of demo mode. I’m going to be honest here and say that you have to be brutal, there are so many systems around that this stage can take some time. You have to be ready with your list of applications and web sites to consider, you create the must have list and it is a filter. If you find one of the items on the list missing or not working as you want, then exclude the application or web site and move on.
Managing the list.
If you get the list down to a manageable size, you can now look at the should have list and for each of the remaining applications and websites. Create an email asking for what you want, will XXXX be available, when will XXXX be available and does XXXX do the things that I want. User groups and forums are good places to post these things, expect prompt responses both from the contact email and the user forums. Be polite and explain if someone asks, some times developers of hobby software go down the well that’s not how I log rabbit hole.
Seeking Perfection
The best advice I can give on this is that you will find a best fit, finding the perfect solution is something we would all aspire to. But usually when we look closely, there is nearly always something else that we would like (A nice to have). Using the Moscow Method will help you, it might not get you the perfect solution – but it probably will make sure you get something close to what you want.
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.