PC Desktop: Using a Punch List

When developing an application even when following a design document it is important to review your progress at varying intervals to insure you are staying on course and meeting the requirements of the Design Document. One of the tools I use to stay on course is a Punch List. I call it a Punch List but it can be called by other names as well;

• Bug List
• Check List
• Project Time Line

What ever you call it, it is very important to the overall project completion. Unlike the design document the punch list has no overview or long and short term goals, it is simply a specific list of things which need to be done. Now punch list can be made for all levels of the design process but I prefer to only use them when I have nearly finished the program or module I am working on. Think in terms of a contractor. Once the crews are inside the building and nearly finished all trim, plumbing and cabinet installation; he walks the project and makes a Contractors List of every squeaky hinge, loose board, dripping faucet and other small things he can find to insure a quality finished job. That’s what your Punch List should be.

With that said, lets look at our original design outline and what we have accomplished so far.

We started out with a Clock Calendar desktop widget. We then added the ability to track appointments and notes by the days of the month.

Next we added a drop down menu system with a Menu Manager for building custom menu’s.

We then created our File Management System with

• Playlist Builder
• Search Features
• File Viewer and File Opener
• Basic File Utilities

Once that was working we added the File Organizer and are currently working on Integrating all modules to the New Start menu.

It would be great if we could say each of our modules are perfect, but they are not. Little portions of each module are incomplete or not working correctly. Therefore before we can continue to move forward we should work on fixing the errors and tying up the loose ends on each of the modules listed above. This is my Punch List.

Punch List

Clock Calendar

1. Set font color on buttons to Red if there are task, notes or appointments scheduled for that day.
2. Set Quick Note entry form to allows continuous entry.
3. Complete Web Bookmark Manager

File Manager

1. Complete Zip Manager
2. Write EMail Interface
3. Complete Print Command
4. Convert Path Field to Windows style Run Command
5. Finalize all on screen help for each utility.

File Organizer

1. Complete code for Add Document
2. Complete Print Command
3. Build Right Click Menu
4. Complete File Type Queries

Notice the above list is not concerned with how the items on the list will be completed or the time and resources needed the get them done. It is simply a list to be used as a check off so that these items do get completed and not forgotten.

The next three sessions we do will be devoted to this Punch List We will look at each line item and discuss the code needed to cross it off the list.

Well that’s it for today’s session. I hope you found it informative. Thanks again for stopping by and Remember, if you need help with an Alpha Software application or wish to inquire about a custom application for your business go to our website

www.cdc-takecharge.com

and inquire or contact

NLawson@cdc-TakeCharge.com

Have a great day.