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NewsThis article can be printed on a hair Pin
Kent Sharkey20-Dec-15 11:08
staffKent Sharkey20-Dec-15 11:08 
GeneralRe: This article can be printed on a hair Pin
Ron Anders20-Dec-15 11:52
Ron Anders20-Dec-15 11:52 
GeneralRe: This article can be printed on a hair Pin
enhzflep20-Dec-15 12:23
enhzflep20-Dec-15 12:23 
NewsNetflix’s DIY smart socks hit pause when you fall asleep Pin
Kent Sharkey20-Dec-15 9:23
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GeneralRe: Netflix’s DIY smart socks hit pause when you fall asleep Pin
Bassam Abdul-Baki25-Dec-15 17:02
professionalBassam Abdul-Baki25-Dec-15 17:02 
NewsPanopticlick 2.0 launches, featuring new tracker protection and fingerprinting tests Pin
Kent Sharkey20-Dec-15 9:22
staffKent Sharkey20-Dec-15 9:22 
NewsDo we need 'industrial-strength' Agile computing? Pin
Kent Sharkey20-Dec-15 9:15
staffKent Sharkey20-Dec-15 9:15 
GeneralRe: Do we need 'industrial-strength' Agile computing? PinPopular
Marc Clifton20-Dec-15 12:49
mvaMarc Clifton20-Dec-15 12:49 
You know, the irony of all this is that software development is actually a highly social process, and a successful social process does not come about from formal methodologies but rather innate or trained social skills. Psychological skills like listening, non-violent communication, team building, etc.

Yes, processes are needed, but typically only when members in the process are corrupting the process. And therein is my estimation of the problem -- we, as humans, are usually not proficient at socialization. Or we come with our own agendas (and fears) that corrupt the process. Or frankly, both. The fourth kind is the worst, which any developer that prefaces his/her title with the word "senior" has experienced: a highly skilled anti-social engineer who manages (pun intended) to put forth their own agenda with varying affects, from disillusionment, "it's just a paycheck", to more devastating affects.

The one and only test you need that you are working with the latter kind is when he/she says "don't take it personally." Because a successful social process works only when people are personally vested in their own goals and accomplishments and the goals and accomplishments of the other people on the project.

The rest of us, what we need are less methodologies and more training in how to be functionally social, with the effect being that even fewer methodologies are needed. Yes, we still need to be skillful at our technical work, but if we don't figure out the social process, then everyone (the customer, the QA dept, the developer, the manager) will continue to create failed or mostly failed projects--either personal-subjective or product-objective or both.

The only way out of this loop is to develop social skills -- not the BS that management inflicts on you with week long "retreats" (if you are so lucky/unlucky) but real skills where we acknowledge each other as human beings with diverse and often divergent goals and at the same time agree to collaborate on something and have the skills to work out the differences that doesn't rip out the human in us but instead leaves us feeling validated, recognized, and with our honor and dignity, if not elevated, at least left intact.

Thanks for reading. Wink | ;)

Marc


modified 20-Dec-15 18:55pm.

GeneralRe: Do we need 'industrial-strength' Agile computing? Pin
Dominic Burford20-Dec-15 21:12
professionalDominic Burford20-Dec-15 21:12 
GeneralRe: Do we need 'industrial-strength' Agile computing? Pin
Daniel Pfeffer20-Dec-15 21:52
professionalDaniel Pfeffer20-Dec-15 21:52 
GeneralRe: Do we need 'industrial-strength' Agile computing? Pin
Dominic Burford21-Dec-15 1:31
professionalDominic Burford21-Dec-15 1:31 
GeneralRe: Do we need 'industrial-strength' Agile computing? Pin
Rob Grainger20-Dec-15 22:42
Rob Grainger20-Dec-15 22:42 
NewsFlagging up inconsiderate writing in Microsoft Office using JavaScript Pin
Kent Sharkey20-Dec-15 9:14
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NewsHere's what Microsoft has planned for Windows in 2016 Pin
Kent Sharkey20-Dec-15 8:58
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GeneralRe: Here's what Microsoft has planned for Windows in 2016 Pin
Marc Clifton20-Dec-15 13:09
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NewsMicrosoft move to revoke trust in 20 root certificates could wreak havoc on sites Pin
Kent Sharkey20-Dec-15 8:56
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NewsOutlook “letterbomb” exploit could auto-open attacks in e-mail Pin
Kent Sharkey20-Dec-15 8:54
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Brisingr Aerowing20-Dec-15 20:17
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NewsWin 10 update dialog now has no 'Cancel button Pin
BillWoodruff19-Dec-15 22:29
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GeneralRe: Win 10 update dialog now has no 'Cancel button Pin
Patrice T20-Dec-15 0:58
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GeneralRe: Win 10 update dialog now has no 'Cancel button Pin
enhzflep20-Dec-15 5:33
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NewsAstronomers have predicted an exploding star's appearance for the first time ever Pin
Kent Sharkey17-Dec-15 16:53
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newton.saber18-Dec-15 2:38
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GeneralRe: Astronomers have predicted an exploding star's appearance for the first time ever Pin
Richard Deeming18-Dec-15 3:02
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NewsCompiling to WebAssembly: It’s Happening! Pin
Kent Sharkey17-Dec-15 16:47
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