Although Perl is a cross-platform language, we still needed to validate that our system would work on the chosen platform. By that time, the system will have operated for several months and our users will have identified and prioritized new requirements. Time will tell. I look forward to sharing a new set of lessons learned with you after SD West. We Learned Initial preparation pays off.
Kickoff meetings help the team to gel.
Staff your project with the right people at the right time. The first step in obtaining reusable artifacts is to look for them. Don't commit to a schedule until you know you have a chance of meeting it. Lying to senior management isn't ideal, but sometimes it's your best option. Consider maintenance issues while you are developing your system.