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Coding, Coffee and Rock n roll

form entirely new objects. Of course the big difference lay in the origin of both software and music. The latter usually starts with analyzing a problem or request and ends with programming the solution. Music, on the other hand, stems from inspiration and ideas which are melded into a chorus, verse or theme. Consequently, you would think the process of software development is more structured, but I find writing music to be even more so. Most songs are composed of recurring chord patterns and the melody is a string of notes from one specific scale. Contrary to this is the software development trend of doing things the Agile way. This means taking a step back from the traditional development process involving rigid rules and long term strategies and making way for ever-changing client wishes. The Agile methods arose in the nineties, when software development was becoming a booming industry. It was a response to the Waterfall model: a top down programming process based on large amounts of documentation. At the top of the ladder were the decisionmakers and at the bottom were the actual coders. One objection to the Waterfall system is the developers restricted creative freedom. Just imagine musicians sticking to preset rules and chords; all songs would sound the same. The Agile method, in contrast, values new development, personal interaction and working in close collaboration with clients. Despite most Agile methods being focussed on smaller, customized products, TOPdesk has included this Agile method in its software development strategy. We involve our clients in development decisions through the TOPdesk Community and appoint them as beta-testers. Furthermore, requests for new software functionalities can be directly implemented in the latest version, as the help desk is located next to development. Another important element of Agile is personal communication. Our teams are relatively small and each is responsible for different modules, but within these teams we cooperate closely and individual input and solutions are truly encouraged. Furthermore, we try to maintain personal contact with our development team in Kaiserlautern by phone, chat, webcam and regular visits. The Agile Manifesto really stays true to the TOPdesk operating method. We stimulate individual creativity and motivation and collaborate with our clients in developing software which facilitates their personal needs. In that sense you could somewhat compare software developers to rock stars: sometimes you gain the best results by doing the unexpected and letting your creativity run wild.

TEXT: BART ENKELAAR

I work as a software developer at TOPdesk and eat, sleep and breathe almost everything to do with music. I play in a couple of bands, write a reasonable amount of music and am a frequent concert goer. You might think that these two aspects of my life - software and music have nothing in common. But when you dig a little deeper, there are many similarities between composing music and developing software. The most important similarity and personally the most exciting is the intrinsic creative nature of both activities. I am constantly amazed at how order is created from mere nothingness. Ideas and problems flow into patterns, rules and systems which, when combined,

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