Documents

[Jim Bassett]

I know I have posted this question times before and I thank everyone who has answered, but the answers demostrate the problem we are having. Let me try to explain the problem in a different way. In our group there are about 30 programmers, 6 of these are seniors who OK documents, etc.. When someone writes up a requirements or design document, these six people must agree that the document in question covers everything. Well it always happens, one week four of the six point out needed changes or questions that still need to be addressed, and many times these questions are of the format of the document. Changes are made and another review is held, now maybe the same three or four or different ones find new problems, or state their previous objections in another manner and this includes format questions. This continues for weeks (I have seen this go on before for 6 weeks ) before there is some agreement to go on to the next document (design) and it starts all over again.

This has become a BIG drag on our production, and I know we are not alone with this problem. I think we need some standard for these documents, including format, that no one person can override so that we can be more productive. Is there anything out there or can someone make a suggestion on how to solve what is becoming a very difficult problem?

Thanks

Jim Bassett