Source: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000043.html

How to transform an amateur software company to an efficient one ?

The Joel Test made by Joel Spolsky , famous for his stackoverflow, fogbugz, kiln tools made a very simple yes/no test to give an idea.

As he says :

“A score of 12 is perfect, 11 is tolerable, but 10 or lower and you’ve got serious problems. The truth is that most software organizations are running with a score of 2 or 3, and they need serious help, because companies like Microsoft run at 12 full-time.”

Joel Test:

• Do you use source control?
• Can you make a build in one step?
• Do you make daily builds?
• Do you have a bug database?
• Do you fix bugs before writing new code?
• Do you have an up-to-date schedule?
• Do you do hallway usability testing?

You do not have 7 points so far ? Ask me for an estimation, I can give you pieces of advice, select tools, train your team, set-up your environment with top-notch tools..

• Do you have a spec?
• Do programmers have quiet working conditions?
• Do you use the best tools money can buy?
• Do you have testers?
• Do new candidates write code during their interview?

For those, you can consult me too.