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(Ovid) Re(3): Insubordination or Exploitation?

by Ovid (Cardinal)
on Mar 26, 2002 at 20:56 UTC ( [id://154510]=note: print w/replies, xml ) Need Help??


in reply to Re: (Ovid - catch 22) Re: Insubordination or Exploitation?
in thread Insubordination or Exploitation?

For smaller, ill-defined projects, I think that agile development models are a Good Thing. However, the part about getting the boss to sign off is purely a CYA maneuver. I think this person is in an awful situation and as soon as the boss says "why the heck did you do that?", the reply is "well, here's your signature".

Almost invariably, unless the project is very small, once I turn in a specification, the boss always changes something. I know of some people who deliberately put glaring problems (typically cosmetic) in specs merely so that the boss will hone in on those glaring problems and not screw up the core. Once the boss changes something, he or she has said "I've read this and approve, so long as these changes are made." It's tough for the boss to later turn around and shift the blame away from the signature.

Frankly, in a dicey "me versus the boss" situation, I don't want the uncertainty of an agile model. I want good, clean specs that I can point to. I've had to hold up signed specs before and the result has always been something along the lines of "my signature? Oh, yes. Of course I read that. But requirements changed. Could you please work this in?" I still have to do the work, but I no longer face the heat.

Mind you, if this were a normal situation, I think your advice would be spot on.

Cheers,
Ovid

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Re: (Ovid) Re(3): Insubordination or Exploitation?
by dws (Chancellor) on Mar 26, 2002 at 21:03 UTC
    the part about getting the boss to sign off is purely a CYA maneuver. I think this person is in an awful situation and as soon as the boss says "why the heck did you do that?", the reply is "well, here's your signature".

    Get a signature, but get it at the beginning of each iteration. Getting a CYA signature up front is worth nothing; if you have to pull it out towards the end of the project to wave at your boss, you're already fucked hosed.

    In my experience, it's far better to keep a list of prioritized iteration features on the wall where everyone can see it all the time. Get your boss to sign that list at the beginning of each iteration.

    1,000th post!</code>

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