Re: Motivation of software professionals
Arved Sandstrom wrote:
In other words, we have adequate processes available but tend not to
adopt them. And _then_ because the products are seriously flawed we
disclaim liability because the products are in poor shape.
We need to get pushed from the outside, by purchasers of our software.
Unfortunately that hasn't happened.
Malcolm McLean wrote:
Software management is not so stupid. If adequate procedures were
available that could ensure bug-free software, at reasonable cost and
time, they they would have been adopted. Except in a few areas
Bullshit.
Management doesn't adopt effective practices for a variety of reasons, but the
fact is that far too many projects are managed in fashions contrary to best
practices. It's a combination of application of an inappropriate management
paradigm (factory work vs. talent work), ignorance or disbelief of the
fundamentals, mistrust of the commitment and understanding of the developers,
and a desire to keep the process inefficient in order to collect more money.
The observable fact is that software projects are managed as though management
were stupid. That's why half to two-thirds (depending on whose figures you go
by) of all major software projects never go into production, and so many that
do have major, preventable bugs.
customers would soon shy away from 'no warrantry including the implied
warrantry of suitability for any particular purpose' products.
Adequate procedures are available, or haven't you been studying the subject?
The fact is that many many formal methods are in existence. Some of
them might work, to some extent, and in some circumstances. But none
have really proved themselves when it comes to the acid test of
developing real software for non-trivial projects.
Again, not true. Iterative development alone greatly increases productivity
and quality. Add in other elements of agile programming, or whatever the
rubric is for effective practices these days, and you asymptotically approach
perfection.
The field of software project management is well studied and well documented.
Effective techniques are known and published. And have been for decades.
They simply are not followed.
--
Lew