Finding a developer/tutor, value of MVP qualification.

  • Thread starter Thread starter David F. Cox
  • Start date Start date
D

David F. Cox

I do some work for an small, but growing, international organisation on a
vouluntary basis because I believe it helps a lot of people enjoy life
better. I want it to prosper.

It is using an Access Database being developed by a buddy of the Chief Exec
which I regard as woefully badly designed, implemented and tested. I believe
that the task they need it to do probably requires an upgrade to SQL Server
in the near future.The developer is a nice guy, a has worked really hard,
and I wish him no ill. If he would agree to some training, counselling and
supervision and do the job right I would be happy.

Firstly I need to convince the Boss that he has a problem.
Secondly I need to persuade that the money spent on doing it right is a
necessary investment,
Thirdly I need good advice about how to find a compentent developer/tutor
for the job.

I do not expect treatises on this newsgroup, relevant links would be
appreciated. I can do the "collect and collate" work and pass it on.

Some of the problems I see:
The application is a membership database. Members lose cards, and get new
cards and numbers, so a member may have multiple membership numbers. Numbers
are manually entered.
Nevertheless the key is the membership number.
Except for the few members that have had their numbers wiped because some
"membership numbers" are used for classes of membership.
And arbitary negative membership numbers are used for "prospective members".
And some invented membership numbers are used. Nobody knows all the reasons
for that.
If a member gets a new card then all of the attendance records with the old
number have their old key overwritten with the new one.
Keyboard shortcuts do not work, Data entry is all textual, but requires a
mouse.
Few null fields. If something is not known the data entry clerk has to enter
"UNKNOWN", ot "UNKOWN", if they follow some the instructions.

Am I right? Do we really, really need an MVP?

David F. Cox
 
David said:
I do some work for an small, but growing, international organisation on a
vouluntary basis because I believe it helps a lot of people enjoy life
better. I want it to prosper.

It is using an Access Database being developed by a buddy of the Chief Exec
which I regard as woefully badly designed, implemented and tested. I believe
that the task they need it to do probably requires an upgrade to SQL Server
in the near future.The developer is a nice guy, a has worked really hard,
and I wish him no ill. If he would agree to some training, counselling and
supervision and do the job right I would be happy.

Firstly I need to convince the Boss that he has a problem.
Secondly I need to persuade that the money spent on doing it right is a
necessary investment,
Thirdly I need good advice about how to find a compentent developer/tutor
for the job.

I do not expect treatises on this newsgroup, relevant links would be
appreciated. I can do the "collect and collate" work and pass it on.

Some of the problems I see:
The application is a membership database. Members lose cards, and get new
cards and numbers, so a member may have multiple membership numbers. Numbers
are manually entered.
Nevertheless the key is the membership number.
Except for the few members that have had their numbers wiped because some
"membership numbers" are used for classes of membership.
And arbitary negative membership numbers are used for "prospective members".
And some invented membership numbers are used. Nobody knows all the reasons
for that.
If a member gets a new card then all of the attendance records with the old
number have their old key overwritten with the new one.
Keyboard shortcuts do not work, Data entry is all textual, but requires a
mouse.
Few null fields. If something is not known the data entry clerk has to enter
"UNKNOWN", ot "UNKOWN", if they follow some the instructions.

Am I right? Do we really, really need an MVP?

David F. Cox
Click to expand...

It seems like you are suffering from some design shortcomings,
application bugs and inadequate business analysis. Unless you are the
line manager of the developer concerned then don't try to analyse these
purely from the system design perspective. Obtain some feedback from
end users on the usability issues and the costs of the problems you
outlined. Those are likely to be easier for the boss to swallow than
any technical arguments.

It might help to seek an independent review from an external
consultant. Of course this may not be perceived as truly impartial if
the consultant could also be in the running for any future
redevelopment work. However, such a review can be as good as you want
to make it. Make sure the consultant supports his recommendations with
a cogent business case and then ask lots of follow-up questions about
his assumptions.

One place to find a consultant is via the Microsoft Partner Programme:
http://directory.microsoft.com/mprd/

I have to declare an interest. I do work for a MS Gold Partner
consultancy in the UK so you could also email me if you want more info.

Do understand that MVP (Most Valuable Professional) is not a
qualification in the sense of a certification or formal measure of
competence. MVP is an award given by Microsoft to individuals in
recognition of exceptional contributions to the technology community.
Microsoft do review the achievements of MVPs each year and this does
help ensure high standards of quality and ability but there are also
many, many talented people who don't receive MVP recognition simply
because they don't share their knowledge in the community. Those
non-MVPs aren't any less talented just because they didn't get an
award.

--
David Portas, SQL Server MVP

Whenever possible please post enough code to reproduce your problem.
Including CREATE TABLE and INSERT statements usually helps.
State what version of SQL Server you are using and specify the content
of any error messages.

SQL Server Books Online:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/library/ms130214(en-US,SQL.90).aspx
--
 
Thank you for your prompt and useful reply, which I have taken on board. I
intend to let this thread flow for a while without responding to avoid
"drift".

Anybody contributing be aware that I am reading and considering all replies
and will respond later.

David F. Cox
(Fully agree that there are wonderful people without "MVP" after their name
:)
 
I would:

a) shy away from anyone on the newsgroups if you're seriously lookng
for help with ADP
b) look for a SQL Server developer not an Access developer
c) brush up on adp yourself

ADP are the most wonderful platform in the world.

I just wouldn't take advice from MDB wimps.

And for the record; most of the MVPs that I've seen are still preachign
obsolete MDB and DAO crap.

I would avoid the Access newsgroups like the plague.

Especially in this newsgroup; many so-called 'Access Developers'
reccomend against using ADP which is pretty ridiculous in my opinion

these mdb kids are stuck in the 90s.

-Aaron Kempf
ps - i fully agree with some of the points; make sure you document the
heck out of everything left and right.. build a consensus and learn
more about db design.

don't follow strict guidelines lik 3rd normal form; know when and where
to bend these rules
 
As someone with 23 years' experience of designing and building commercial
databases, I can say that the MVP's who lurk around here really know their
stuff. However, as was mentioned previously, there are lots of folk who are
not MVP's but are nonetheless very good at what they do.

You need to bear in mind that there really are not very many MVP's, and if
training is part of your brief than you are going to want someone reasonably
local, which may mean no MVP.

I'd suggest trawling the internet for consultants in your locality, and make
your choice based primarily on references. Find out if they have happy
customers already.

Have you thought about budget? Many organisations have amateurs building
their databases because they are unable or unwilling to pay a decent
consultant. If you haven't yet looked into what this is going to cost in
your locality, I suggest that you do so a.s.a.p. - it may be a complete
showstopper.
 
Back
Top