RESUMEN

In this column, IEEE Software aims to bring you the latest in requirements thinking. Since Richard Wexelblat's pioneering 1976 paper, "Maxims for Malfeasant Designers," it's been clear that specification can be done well or poorly. More recently, Norman Ramsey has followed Wexelblat's lead with "Maxims for Malfeasant Speakers," with advice such as "Remember that form is more important than content: Make sure your visuals conform to corporate standards, even if they don't say anything of consequence." Similarly, Peter J. Brown's paper, "13 Deadly Sins of Compiler Writing," includes the memorable "The first deadly sin is to code before you think." That sin is certainly as prevalent today as ever it was. So, this column has scoured the planet for great minds on the latest in requirements. We're proud to bring you a tongue-in-cheek "interview" with industry guru Colin Codephirst.