Who Drives Software Development?

Over the lengthy time I have spent being involved with CAD and now BIM, I have seen a lot of software development that has improved our processes. I have also seen development that did not work so well. Sometimes I ask myself “Who is really responsible for creating these things?” “Who’s idea was that? So over the next few posts, I will try to answer that question…

But first, an intro…

I think software development is an interative process. Sure there a some leaps in CAD technology, some that are astounding, but for the most part we just keep improving what we have. I have seen new releases of software introduce a tool and then take 2-3 or more releases to get it right. One case in point is the maturing of text tools inside CAD programs. Boy have these things changed. What started as just single lines of text have matured into complete word processing tools. And we still demand more.

Sometimes software development is a flop. What appears to be a great idea, just does not translate well into a software product. It seems like it never lives up to the promise. I remember the fanfare of Autodesk Architectural Studio. What seemed like a great fledgling tool never caught on, never matured and was eventually abandoned. I also remember Autodesk Actrix. Another tool that had a short lifespan.

We tend to think of software development the same way we think of other products. We expect perfection and maturity out of the gate. We tend to think that version 1.0 will work with distinction. We have found that most developers do not want to unveil 1.0 releases because they are so fragile. So owe have seen the rise of “beta” programs that last forever. How long was GMail considered “beta”?

Here is a list of the Google tools that have been in public beta for extended times before they “hatched”from the Google Lab…

Graduates of Labs
	Google Transit Plan trips using public transportation
	GOOG-411 Search for local businesses using your voice, from any phone, for free. Dial 1-800-GOOG-411.
	Google Reader Use Google’s web-based feed reader to keep track of your favorite web sites
	Google Notebook Clip and collect information as you browse the web
	Google Docs & Spreadsheets Create, store and share documents and spreadsheets on the web
	Google Video Search TV programs and videos
	Personalized Search Get the search results most relevant to you
	iGoogle Add information you care about to your Google homepage
	Google Maps View maps, get driving directions, and search for local businesses and services.
	Google Scholar Search through journal articles, abstracts and other scholarly literature
	Google SMS (US) Get precise answers to specialized queries from your mobile phone or device
	Google Desktop Find all your information, whether it’s on the web or stored on your computer, from one convenient location
	Google Groups 2 Create and join searchable discussion groups and mailing lists
	Web Alerts Find out about new web pages on a topic of interest
	Search by Location Restrict your search to a particular geographic area
	Google Glossary Find definitions for words, phrases and acronyms
	Google News Alerts Specify a topic and receive email updates when news breaks

Most of us have used some of these tools when they were beta.

Now Autodesk has a Labs site – some of the recent graduates were the “Seek” Search and Impression (back in 07). So even Autodesk is in the beta business.

Looking into the process of software development may help clear the air about who does what and how, but it will not refine the creative process that provides leaps in technology.

Arthur C. Clarke said “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” In other words – they will be astounding (think Apple iPhone). Can that happen in the CAD market? Can there still be an undiscovered tool in CAD? Is BIM the “magic” that people have been looking for? BIM believers think so. Do you?