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Ask HN: What is the longest client project you've been on?
Currently in the last week of a 4-month Rails project, responsible for the front- and back-end of the app. I believe this is the longest single project I've been on, not including side projects (wink, wink).
I'm the only developer on the project (we usually do designer + developer pairs), so to say I'm starting to get fatigued is an understatement. I'll be relieved to get it finished.
What's your longest client project, and how did you stay focused through it?
- bigiain 10y agoHeh - started out as a small project in Dec 1995 - I resigned from the board of directors in 2007 and quit outright in 2008... It was _quite_ a ride... Right now me and my team are on month 9 of a "six month project"... Staying focused? The meaning of that kinda changes as the projects get bigger/longer. It become way more important to document design decisions and meetings/discussions - you can't keep a 6 month project with 4 people in your head - it needs to be done differently. Then "focus" becomes reading your task list and going back to doco if needed every Monday morning.
- mattbgates 10y agoMy own project, written in PHP, which basically is a reminder system that I've been working on it for almost a year now. How I stay focused: 1) I write out my pricing system and how much potential money I can make on it from customers which helps to keep me motivated as to why I keep working on it. 2) I usually come up with and work on another small [fun] project which kind of helps my mind relax a little bit. It's like when I'm feeling stressed or exhausted or burned out from one project, I work on another that is much less harder and not as stressful, which not only helps me learn new things, but allows me to work on multiple side projects that have the potential to make money. 3) Go for a walk / ride a bike / swim / sit in sauna or jacuzzi (if you have access). 4) Talk to someone about your project or potential ideas about other projects. 5) Exercise. 6) If you have a wonderful woman in your life, get her in the mood, and get your mind focused on her for a while. Take her out to dinner or go see a movie. Do what you got to do to just unwind for a few hours. 7) I read Hacker News and try to share with or gain insight from others -- it helps me learn what others are doing and gets my mind off the project for a while so I can relax. In doing this, I often come up with solutions to problems I am facing and certainly is a stress reducer.
- fiftyacorn 10y ago7 years - projects still running but i moved on Only planned on a year on the project as was to train a workforce too. But as often happens in this industry - you train people and they move on. Motivation wasnt a problem as interesting project - plus I liked the stability of being able to give good estimates, meet the estimates and deliver