In my current project we have had a problem. The project is a “rewrite” project that shall “convert” a VB6 application into a VB.NET version of it. I put those words in quotes for a reason; here-in lies much of our problem in my mind. From the business-side of the project this has been viewed as technical problem and project. It’s a 1:1 conversion (the word “re-compile” has been used at more than one occasion). We all know that this is not the case. And even if it was that simple and you actually could do a 1:1 conversion it’s a waste of time. But that’s another story. In any case, we have had problem to get the business to engage in our project. (When I say business here it refers to people with the knowledge and power to decide on what the system should do). And that’s not the only project I’ve been in where this has happened. The pure thought of being a part of a IT-project seems to be daunting for a lot of business people. “We don’t have that amount of time on our hands”, “I’m busy everyday, where should I squeeze it in?”. This raises the question if the project really is important for them at all… but on that question they usually answers “YES!”. So let’s get by that. And when agile methods is introduced it’s even more scary; “Dear business people, we would like to have you with us in our team. All the time, every day”. “Yikes!”

