http://www.perlmonks.org?node_id=655049


in reply to Musings: Why do well-intentioned projects go so wrong, so often?

Theory begins by denying reality - to talk about reality, to go around reality, to catch anything that attracts our sense - intellect and abstract it away from reality itself.

Begginning with saying that the outside world is not a fact, that existence can be doubted and that every proposition in which reality of the outside world is affirmed is not an evident proposition but one that needs to be divided, dissected, and analysed.
It is to stand consciously aside and try to square a circle.

Projects fail on expectations and bad criteria. Everyone gets them mixed up and start talking about who's methodoligies are better.

Perhaps, one day, after one has delivered a project where, for example:

a) Scope and functionality is to be reduced to fit the deadline
b) Performance is not an issue
c) Content accuracy and reliability is expected to be wrong at least 6 months after deadline

That is when one should start discussing achievability, business projections and the stock market.

Like an ancient buddhist monk, you should transcend all your teachings and simply deliver the solution. Everything before it and after if is the journey of your life.

(Apologies for my badly recollected quotation)

-=( Graq )=-