Finding ways to reduce cost is a managers task in a slump economy. Computer and Information Technology is an easy target for cost reduction. For example, businesses hire fresh college graduates as developers of relational database applications. I don’t have anything against it as having new blood to the organization is good. To prove their mark they do relational database design and application development as learned in school, but it’s different in the real life scenario.

Many says that developing relational database applications is easy. Maybe it’s true for some small applications like simple inventory database where the design doesn’t matter very much. Any mistakes made will reveal themselves in time, errors will be corrected, and lessons will be learned. But for important applications, though, this is a sure formula for disaster. Lack of real world application development experience is usually behind major project failures.

Prominent software development frameworks like Java, .NET, PHP, C#, JavaScript, XML, Ruby, Ajax, and many more requires a new skill set. Not to include the skills on software testing, software configuration management, project management, databases, UML, and others. Using tools to speed up application development is good, but there is the tendency that new fourth generation rapid application development tools in the wrong hands could escalate flaws. Thus, an office colleague prefer still coding practice than using rapid application development software.

I believe that using application development tools together with traditional development testing cycle would be positive. Finding the balance to get the right mix would be the best solution. Those working in the industry for sometime have a better advantage. Therefore, getting some web based software training about newer developer tools coupled with experience is a sure key to a better career.