Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!decwrl!ads.com!saturn!jgautier From: jgautier@vangogh.ads.com (Jorge Gautier) Newsgroups: comp.software-eng Subject: Re: Personal growth and software engineering! Message-ID: Date: 3 Apr 91 19:19:54 GMT References: <9233@castle.ed.ac.uk> <1991Mar25.164133.29674@unislc.uucp> Sender: usenet@ads.com (USENET News) Distribution: comp.software-eng Organization: Advanced Decision Systems, Mountain View, CA 94043, +1 (415) 960-7300 Lines: 33 In-Reply-To: klb@unislc.uucp's message of 25 Mar 91 16:41:33 GMT In article <1991Mar25.164133.29674@unislc.uucp> klb@unislc.uucp (Keith L. Breinholt) writes: > Here's a simple fact of life--Measurement of a process or skill is the > first step towards control of the same. No. Realization that the process or skill needs to be controlled is the first step towards control of the same. > Now, serious professionals are the type that like to improve their > skills through whatever means is necessary. If I have a method of > measuring when I'm doing better versus when I screw up, I've just > learned how to improve my skills. IF you have a method of measuring the quality of the process (and I think that's assuming a lot), you still have to be willing to CHANGE the process in order to improve it. Changing the way they do things is a very scary thought to many people. Don't ask me why, I've never understood it. > Now if a supposed professional comes to me and tells me that they > don't want to be measured (i.e. they don't want to improve). I have > real doubts about the future of that individual. I don't mean to sound negative about this, but your i.e. is bullshit. The people who don't want to change are the ones who don't want to improve. Measurement has nothing to do with it. Some people don't want to be measured because they know that the metrics being used are bogus. If a supposed manager comes to me and tells me that they want to "measure the software development process," I have real doubts about the past and future of that individual. -- Jorge A. Gautier| "The enemy is at the gate. And the enemy is the human mind jgautier@ads.com| itself--or lack of it--on this planet." -General Boy DISCLAIMER: All statements in this message are false.