The SquizLog

Re: Kevin Barnes on Software Processes

Over the years a plethora of serious words and diagrams have been devoted to the subject of software processes. However, when I compare them to what has actually happened in software organisations in which I have worked, the process descriptions may as well have been works of fiction.

So I found Kevin Barnes' light-hearted article refreshing. As the following quotes show, he doesn't spare old or new approaches:

"Managers like the waterfall model for the same reasons that tourists like real waterfalls, they are simple and powerful and beautiful to look at. They are much less fun when you go down one."

"You may be tempted to believe that the added efficiency of agile processes may help eliminate the coding logjam by increasing the focus on bug fixing and increasing the chances that badly designed components will get reworked. Of course you may also be tempted to believe you can fly if you’ve just taken a hit of PCP, but that won’t keep you from falling 20 stories to your death."

As Kevin notes, he felt like having a bit of fun. He certainly made me laugh. To me the serious take-away message is to think about the context of the software being developed and encourage an appropriate process to grow.

And to remember that if one is going to make a living out of developing software a sense of humour is very helpful!

Posted to Software Development by Keith Pitty