Comments for sideline

Comment on Why Your Estimates are Optimistic by Rafal Dyrda

Rafal Dyrda — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:18:11 +0000

One major thing with software is that you can’t touch it. It’s a magical thing you get to interact with. Where with a car, if you don’t fix the tire, or engine, or whatever part, the car won’t work. You can see it, you can touch it, you appreciate it more. With home reno’s, if you don’t fix a door it won’t open, if you don’t fix plumbing you’ll get water damage. You see it and interact with on a different basis than as with software. With software, clients don’t have the physical or visual interaction.

At least that is my understanding of it.

Comment on Why Your Estimates are Optimistic by mike

mike — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:41:41 +0000

I’ve been thinking lately of writing an article discussing this point. Why are so many clients like that? I’m not a mechanic or a handyman so I’m not sure if this issue is widespread or more localized to software development. I’ve certainly seen lots of clients (especially internal clients in an enterprise org) that don’t seem interested in the actual solution as much as they are in the budget for it.

The obvious answer is that they don’t understand the technology so it’s all mumbo jumbo to them. Lack of understanding = Lack of caring.

But I don’t really buy that. Despite the fact that I know jack about cars, I nod along and try to follow when I’m at the mechanic and he’s explaining what needs to be done. I don’t understand fully but I try to because I ultimately have to make a decision on what to do. Maybe I’m unique, but I prefer to make informed decisions.

I’m continually amazed how much education is involved in even the simplest sales process when it comes to software development.

Comment on Why Your Estimates are Optimistic by Rafal Dyrda

Rafal Dyrda — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:24:57 +0000

Oh, if only clients knew what they were asking... I always give clients a reverse example, based on their business. If I came to you to fix my car, and told you that it doesn't work, could you give me a 50% plus minus quote? Or, if I asked you to give me a 50% plus minus to renovate my condo without seeing it, would you?

Gets them thinking right away ;)

Comment on Fix Your Mistakes by JH

JH — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:59:51 +0000

Enter the Union…. :S

Comment on Fix Your Mistakes by mike

mike — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:37:06 +0000

@Lee Anne – Thanks for the comment!

It’s definitely long overdue in government to look at the quality of people that are working there. Unfortunately, whether due to strong unions or weak managers, it doesn’t happen. Instead, “hiring mistakes” are pushed to the side and contractors are brought in to actually get the job done.

Of course, that means that the government is paying for people that it’s not using as well as paying a premium to the folks that can actually get the job done. It’s not hard to see why project costs can balloon quickly.

Comment on Fix Your Mistakes by Lee Anne

Lee Anne — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:27:02 +0000

It’s unfortunate that management is often so willfully blind to the frustration and bad morale this creates within a team. Sure it’s tough to make that choice and follow through with it, but it doesn’t only damage the manager’s credibility, but the whole team’s.

I’ve spent most of my working life in various levels of government public service, and government seems to be the dumping ground for people who are ineffective at their jobs. If we want to reduce waste in government, perhaps it’s long overdue to start looking at the quality of people that we retain, including management? Time to trade in managers for leaders.

Comment on How to Cope with Interview Fatigue by Fix Your Mistakes | sideline

Fix Your Mistakes | sideline — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:04:17 +0000

[...] your standards.” I had seen it before but always had enough confidence to put it aside. But interview fatigue was taking its toll on [...]

Comment on Attitude Beats Talent by How to Cope with Interview Fatigue | sideline

How to Cope with Interview Fatigue | sideline — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:14:02 +0000

[...] guess the reason that I’m hard to please is that I look for developers that have both attitude and talent. That’s not easy to find in an industry that is mostly populated by the stereotypical geek [...]

Comment on Change by Justice~!

Justice~! — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:53:00 +0000

Good for you, Michael. I pray that you will find that job/career happiness you are seeking!

Comment on Change by Vlad

Vlad — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:28:19 +0000

Congrats on the scary leap into unknown for your own sanity. It will make you much happier.

The best move for my own happiness was resigning my position to come back to Edmonton.

It was completely scary, and I did it without any safety net - and it payed off in spades.

Second best thing was interviewing with you and not being able to find a common ground.

It made me realize that I could get everything I wanted from a workplace, all I had to do was to just spend a little bit of money :)