Man with two brains

I've been acting as a customer in our software engineering practicals. Student companies have been interviewing me to find out what is really required, and I've been delightfully vague and unhelpful. Not at all like me, but probably a good learning experience for them.

Thing is, I'm also offering a consultancy service where, for the princely some of 2% of their overall mark, student teams can have a few minutes of my time to comment on their designs. What surprises me is how few teams have come along for a chat, for the potential improvement in the marks this is very good value.

However, one of the teams for whom I'm the customer is coming to see me tomorrow. This means that I'll be commenting on the behaviour of myself, and giving advice on how to deal with me to find out what needs to be done. Very strange.

Comments

[M Wrench]

I remember this exercise from my time at Hull. At the time, I thought the 'customer' was being purposefully obstructive and evasive.

Little did I know that real customers often act in exactly the same way! A very worthwhile exercise indeed.

[MattJ]

I remember Adrian Talton was our customer the first time I did it, I remember becasue I found out he works for the same company as me now! Small world!