Object Oriented System Analysis and Design Mentors - Automation Technologies Consulting, Inc.

Mentoring

We believe that one of the best ways to acquire object-oriented expertise is through mentoring. Classroom instruction is typically the first-step in the learning process. Formal training, however, does not provide everything that is needed to apply the newly acquired skills. Moreover, concepts that are introduced in the classroom need to be applied in a real-world application before they take root.

"Your mentor may be the most important factor in your project's success; it is worth paying for quality."
Martin Fowler, UML Distilled

That is why we recommend the combination of formal training and mentoring as the most effective way to accelerate the learning process and to dramatically improve productivity.

What is mentoring? Mentoring involves having an experienced developer work with your team on a project for an extended period of time. A mentor is dedicated to the project and provides direct support to all the members of the team through all the phases of the project. They show you how to apply concepts that have been learned through formal or informal training. The mentor provides advice, monitors quality, and encourages sound business and engineering practices.

A mentor is like a coach. Your team has a level of skill that they have obtained through education and job experiences. The mentor works to fine tune and broaden the skills of each member of the team and also build strategies (e.g., best practices) to help each member work effectively as part of the team. Our mentors help meet your project requirements and deadlines. The goal of a mentor is to ensure the success of your current project and impart the practical knowledge and experience that is needed so each member of the team can contribute in a greater capacity on your next project.

Mentors can be used in various areas of the project or for the overall project. Dependent upon the demands of the project, mentors can work on a full-time or part-time basis.

Consider the words of Martin Fowler from his book UML Distilled: "Your mentor may be the most important factor in your project's success; it is worth paying for quality."

One client, after taking Rational Software Corporation's Object Oriented Analysis and Design class wrote this comment:

In summary, I came out of these sessions very impressed with how Jim Berg has put our environment together. It appears (at least to me) that we are very closely adhering to what would be the industry standard for systems architecture and design. Furthermore, Jim has proven to be an excellent mentor for the development team."
- Lead Designer, International Paint Manufacturer