Unfortunately I had to cut it down to 2K character so might have missed enough information to be useful.
The NoSQL thing was a total failure on my part, yes it was a really cool idea but I was dealing with vague requirements ( and didn't qualify like I should have).
Trying to explain myself has been fairly useful as it's brought up questions I didn't ask, like why didn't the PM's tell me their complaints up front instead of waiting until the CEO had to get involved. In retrospect that's actually kind of upsetting.
Also three rules as a contractor/freelancer I try to abide by:
#1 Always make your client more money then you cost
#2 It doesn't matter right/wrong if the client isn't happy ( unless they're crazy )
#3 Ignore #2 if it threatens rule #1 by managing expectations ( try to avoid using the word no ).
Last things, long time ago I was on a team that made our own web framework ( routing, MVC, ORM, etc ) and while it worked, it was a failure because of a lack of referential integrity, high cost to spool up new dev's, and lack of an external community support. Since then I try to avoid building my personal space shuttle ( really complex/cool stuff ) for paid work.
I think the reason I am still with the company is that they're in a badlands between small one off projects and more long term/perpetual projects which I've excelled at ( and they're still adapting too ) and I am wondering if the CEO realized that the PM's didn't convey an of their concerns to me before going to him.
So it looks like I need to have some more conversations with the PM's themselves ( I can turn on a dime if given constructive feedback).
1. Make the customer happy
2. Deliver in the fastest, cheapest way possible.
3. if you come to a dificult decision or a better way layout options, pros and cons and let them make the decision.
4. CYA, do it in writing.
5. if you come across a problem that's going to delay delivery let them know as soon as possible.
Comments
Unfortunately I had to cut it down to 2K character so might have missed enough information to be useful.
The NoSQL thing was a total failure on my part, yes it was a really cool idea but I was dealing with vague requirements ( and didn't qualify like I should have).
Trying to explain myself has been fairly useful as it's brought up questions I didn't ask, like why didn't the PM's tell me their complaints up front instead of waiting until the CEO had to get involved. In retrospect that's actually kind of upsetting.
Also three rules as a contractor/freelancer I try to abide by:
#1 Always make your client more money then you cost
#2 It doesn't matter right/wrong if the client isn't happy ( unless they're crazy )
#3 Ignore #2 if it threatens rule #1 by managing expectations ( try to avoid using the word no ).
Last things, long time ago I was on a team that made our own web framework ( routing, MVC, ORM, etc ) and while it worked, it was a failure because of a lack of referential integrity, high cost to spool up new dev's, and lack of an external community support. Since then I try to avoid building my personal space shuttle ( really complex/cool stuff ) for paid work.
I think the reason I am still with the company is that they're in a badlands between small one off projects and more long term/perpetual projects which I've excelled at ( and they're still adapting too ) and I am wondering if the CEO realized that the PM's didn't convey an of their concerns to me before going to him.
So it looks like I need to have some more conversations with the PM's themselves ( I can turn on a dime if given constructive feedback).
Here are my contractor/freelancer rules:
1. Make the customer happy 2. Deliver in the fastest, cheapest way possible. 3. if you come to a dificult decision or a better way layout options, pros and cons and let them make the decision. 4. CYA, do it in writing. 5. if you come across a problem that's going to delay delivery let them know as soon as possible.
You've got the right attitude, and I think that is going to bode well for you. It didn't really come across in your original post.
Best of luck.