James Holtman, Convergys, provided an introduction to software performance analysis and the importance of understanding how the "numbers" influence the architecture and design of systems. He addressed some of the misconceptions that exist in the software development field.
We have all heard the following:

· Let’s build it and see what it can do. We’ll tune it later; we don’t have time to worry about performance now. (Built it first, make it run, then tune it).

· Performance? That’s what Version 2 is for.

· Problems? We don’t have performance problems.

The reasons above are why we have had to spend additional efforts on a project after it has gone into production, but does not meet the performance criteria (that is assuming that there was even a performance criteria given in the specifications). Understanding performance related issues leads to higher quality requirements, architecture, design and test plans.

SPEAKER: James Holtman, Executive Consultant, Convergys

Mr. Holtman has been with Convergys for 12 years. He is currently an Executive Consultant responsible for ensuring that a consistent approach to architecture is used across development efforts, coordinating the efforts of the Architecture Review Board and teaching the "Working the Numbers" and System Architecture classes. He provides consulting services for the development areas for architecture and performance/modeling related activities. Mr. Holtman participated in architecture reviews of over 200 projects across his career at Convergys and Bell Labs.

Prior to Convergys, Mr. Holtman worked in Bell Labs developing large scale Operational Support Systems (OSS) for the Bell System. He was named a Bell Labs Fellow for his work on the architecture of one of these OSSs and for the creation of the architecture review process that is used in Bell Labs.

Mr. Holtman has an MS/EECS from Berkeley and a BS/EE from New Mexico State University.

Presentation Link