Tom

In my years of running development teams (both internal and outsourced),
I find useful technical attributes, besides coding ability, are that the
candidate has enthusiasm and flexibility.  I have come across perfectly
competent developers who have become cynical about the development
business who soured the atmosphere (and the team).  Enthusiastic guys
often like to explain precisely why, for example, PHP v5.3 is better
than v5.2.8 - and how it might solve a problem or two for you.  Your
candidate should also be able to operate outside a narrow technical
box.  I once came across a developer who could think like a compiler but
was unable to work from a design.  Every small point had to be specified
completely.  He didn't last long...

As has been alluded to elsewhere on the thread, when taking over
outsourced developed code, a code audit is a useful process.  This
needn't take long and can point to areas of weakness (if any) that may
need to be tackled.  Simply relying on the functionality to be correct
does not guarantee decent code or database schemas etc.  It does require
a technically competent person, one who has been at the coal face and
who can spot architectural problems and so on.

Regards
Chris Powell
mindyourstreet.com

Tom Watts wrote:
> Hi everyone.
>
> Long time listener, first time caller.
>
> I was hoping that someone on this group could offer some advice...
>
> We're in the business of building and running online communities for
> research and innovation, which we deliver to brands and agencys. Part
> of our proposition is the delivery of our bespoke social network tool.
>
> To date, we have been working with an external agency, who have done a
> good job at building our product to specification. However, as
> business ramps up, we are looking to refine the product and introduce
> new features and services. As such, it has become necessary to recruit
> a developer, who is versed in the use open source tools (LAMP).
>
> We've looked around and have a good final list of candidates, who we
> feel could be a good 'fit' to our existing team.
>
> The one area that we have yet to test for is the ability to actually
> code - including their approach to coding. Not having these skills
> internally, it is difficult for us to achieve this. As such we were
> hoping to find some form of test that we could give them.
>
> In my mind, I thinking of a simple 1-2 hour exercise, whereby the
> candidates could make a simple web application/service/feature, which
> would demonstrate their skills. We have a friendly developer who could
> then look through what they have made and give us an idea of their
> abilities.
>
> Is there such a test that people know of? If not, perhaps there is a
> different approach that someone has used successfully?
>
> Either way, I would very much appreciate any ideas people may have.
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Tom
> --
> Tom Watts
> Director
>
> w: dubstudios.com <http://dubstudios...;
> t: +44 (0) 20 8123 3452
> m: +44 (0) 7791 163 866
> skype: tomwatts22
>
> dub I Communities for Insight & Innovation
>
> Youmeus Ltd t/a Dub Studios is registered in England and Wales,
> Registration No: 6167745 and registered at The Pines, Boars Head,
> Crowborough, East Sussex. TN6 3HD
>
>
>
>
> --
> Please Note: If you hit "*REPLY*", your message will be sent to
> *everyone* on this mailing list ([address removed]
> <mailto:[address removed]>)
> This message was sent by Tom Watts ([address removed]) from London
> OpenCoffee Meetup <http://www.meetup...;.
> To learn more about Tom Watts, visit his/her member profile
> <http://www.meetup...;
> To unsubscribe or to update your mailing list settings, click here
> <http://www.meetup...;
>
> Meetup Support: [address removed]
> 632 Broadway, New York, NY 10012 USA