Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 9
Continuous Feedback
Use Continuous
Feedback
Mechanisms
As a general rule, the most successful man in life
is the man who has the best information.
—B ENJAMIN D ISRAELI (1804-1881)
One day I was speaking with my coworker, Chuck, when the build
failed on one of our projects. I knew this because I received a Short
Message Service (SMS) text message on my mobile phone, a person-
alized sound clip played through my computer speakers, I received an
e-mail, and the Orb on my desk changed to a red hue. I briefly inter-
rupted my conversation with Chuck and rang the technical lead for the
project, who said, “I just got it and I'm on it.” I hung up the phone and
continued my conversation without getting sidetracked. This is contin-
uous feedback in action. I did have to interrupt Chuck for a moment,
but this is an example of the relatively unobtrusive types of feedback
mechanisms you can use with your CI system.
Feedback is a key output of the Integrate button. Without feedback,
none of the other aspects of CI is useful. The reason you want fast
builds and your builds to fail fast is feedback. Rapid feedback is at the
heart of CI. For example, if you don't know that tests or inspections
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