Programming Windows: Brian Valentine Interview (Premium)

In February 2003, I had the chance to interview Microsoft senior vice president Brian Valentine about Windows Server 2003. We were originally going to connect during my January 2003 Microsoft campus visit, but it didn’t work out. So it was nice to find some time after that to discuss the company's most complex and customer-driven Windows Server version ever. For those unfamiliar, Valentine was a humorous but hard-hitting individual. At that time he was responsible for virtually everything at Microsoft with the Windows name on it, and he reported directly to Microsoft group vice president Jim Allchin.

Here's what Brian Valentine had to say about Windows Server 2003 and the ways in which this product reflected the massive process changes the company made to better meet customer needs.

Paul Thurrott (PT): Can you give us a little information about your background, what products you've worked on?

Brian Valentine (BV): I joined Microsoft in August 1987, coming in as a test manager on OS/2 [LAN Manager]. I did that for a few years, and then I moved to the Workgroup Application Group, which became the Exchange group over time. I ran that group for seven years, releasing Exchange 4.0, 5.0, and 5.5. In late 1998, I was asked to come over and run Windows 2000 development. At the time, we didn't know when Windows 2000 would be delivered, and it eventually took another 14 months. After Windows 2000, I picked up all of Windows, so I now own anything with the Windows name on it.

PT: What was your role was during the development of Windows Server 2003?

BV: Mostly, it's been about pushing responsibility and accountability down the chain, in order to grow great leaders. [Corporate Vice President] Dave Thompson is the day-to-day executive driving the project. He's the engineering manager across the board, and he works for Bill [Veghte, Corporate Vice President of the Windows Server Group, and a direct report to Brian]. I'm basically the ultimate decision-maker on the team. If someone doesn't know the answer, it stops at my desk, and I handle any big debates that need a decision. I meet with Iain McDonald and Todd Wanke every other day after the War Team meetings, to get the status of the project. In essence, I'm the executive Godfather. [Laughs]

PT: [Laughing] I'll always think of you as the executive Godfather.

BV: Thanks! My history and passion have revolved around managing complex software projects. How do you build a complete environment? I tell the Windows group, it's not just a product, it's a lifestyle. Everyone should feel like they're part of that. The product should be fun, because we're building things that other people don't have the opportunity to build. So I'm more than a project manager, I have to keep people honest and be the ultimate decision-maker. Steve [Ballmer], Bill [Gates], and Jim [Allchin] look to me as the guy that is ultimately responsible [for Windows Server 2003].

PT: How did the development of Windows ...