So, I'm a systems engineer and I mostly do software systems performance testing. I'm not going to say who my customers are, but know that they're the only game in town.
So in September, I get the specs for the next test they want me to run, and a basic schedule. These schedules always slide by a month or so due to various delays in the development process, but that's not the issue right now.
My process is as follows:
get spec, start building environment, get software from developer, finish building environment, test basic functionality, make corrections to environment as needed, code test scripts, develop test scenarios, execute test, analyze data, make performance tweaks, re-execute, analyze results (rinse, repeat), give preliminary results, compile detailed report.
This environment is not simple... I have 16 servers and 3 appliances spanning 4 subnets, and crossing 4 firewalls. I'm currently in the "make corrections" phase, just trying to get the system to function properly.
Well, today, 4 days before i'm supposed to start testing in earnest, I get an update to the spec for the desired test... which is roughly 6x the size of the initial spec.
Things I need to do to meet these crazy demands:
1: update another environment (that is currently being used for something else) and make sure it's working 100%
2: intergrate my current system to work with 3 other subsystems in addition to the 1 it currently works with (never been done before in any stage of the development process)
3: acquire, rack, power, cable, and build 2 more servers for my web tier. (or) allocate SAN space and find hardware space for 2 new "cloud" hosts (still need cabling, but with the added headache of getting the storage space)
4: modify firewall rules for these new servers
5: modify appliances to recognise these new servers
6: acquire licenses for these new servers
7: ensure I have enough licenses for my test software to meet the new user level (6-8x as many users) and requisition the new licenses if we don't have them.
so, I need a team of developers for each of the 3 subsystems they want me to integrate with
I need 2 more engineers to script the integration with the other systems
I need a crew of network engineers to make all the firewall/router/cabling/SAN changes
I need the procurement team to get me licenses for many different products as well as possibly a new physical server (we're talking ~$6k for the server, and ~$50k-$100k for licenses/maintenance contracts)
I need EVERYONE to ignore their processes for change control and approval because going through the process would take too long.
this kind of crap is becoming the norm, not the exception. Is there any wonder why I have 9 weeks of leave saved up? I'd take time off, but frankly, I have too much to do.
Just really pissed they sprung this on me today.
So in September, I get the specs for the next test they want me to run, and a basic schedule. These schedules always slide by a month or so due to various delays in the development process, but that's not the issue right now.
My process is as follows:
get spec, start building environment, get software from developer, finish building environment, test basic functionality, make corrections to environment as needed, code test scripts, develop test scenarios, execute test, analyze data, make performance tweaks, re-execute, analyze results (rinse, repeat), give preliminary results, compile detailed report.
This environment is not simple... I have 16 servers and 3 appliances spanning 4 subnets, and crossing 4 firewalls. I'm currently in the "make corrections" phase, just trying to get the system to function properly.
Well, today, 4 days before i'm supposed to start testing in earnest, I get an update to the spec for the desired test... which is roughly 6x the size of the initial spec.
Things I need to do to meet these crazy demands:
1: update another environment (that is currently being used for something else) and make sure it's working 100%
2: intergrate my current system to work with 3 other subsystems in addition to the 1 it currently works with (never been done before in any stage of the development process)
3: acquire, rack, power, cable, and build 2 more servers for my web tier. (or) allocate SAN space and find hardware space for 2 new "cloud" hosts (still need cabling, but with the added headache of getting the storage space)
4: modify firewall rules for these new servers
5: modify appliances to recognise these new servers
6: acquire licenses for these new servers
7: ensure I have enough licenses for my test software to meet the new user level (6-8x as many users) and requisition the new licenses if we don't have them.
so, I need a team of developers for each of the 3 subsystems they want me to integrate with
I need 2 more engineers to script the integration with the other systems
I need a crew of network engineers to make all the firewall/router/cabling/SAN changes
I need the procurement team to get me licenses for many different products as well as possibly a new physical server (we're talking ~$6k for the server, and ~$50k-$100k for licenses/maintenance contracts)
I need EVERYONE to ignore their processes for change control and approval because going through the process would take too long.
this kind of crap is becoming the norm, not the exception. Is there any wonder why I have 9 weeks of leave saved up? I'd take time off, but frankly, I have too much to do.
Just really pissed they sprung this on me today.
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