Working like a dog.
Tuesday, July 20th, 2004 | Personal
The new job is challenging, which is rather exciting. It’s an interesting group of developers on the project, some have been employees of the company for more than 15 years.
However, there is no adherence to software development best practices in any way, shape or form. I’ve quickly become aware that nearly everyone is winging it. There’s no time to do design or planning because we’ve blown deadline after deadline and have a list of bugs a mile long. We can’t worry about doing it right, only getting it done. Nevermind that it’s that same poor planning that put us here in the first place, and promises to keep us here.
What a fucking mess. *Sigh*
There’s the lead developer (the guy who interviewed me), competent but spread way too thin. Then we have 2 “sub-leads” who manage the growing list of bugs and schedule software releases to the client for testing. For two clowns that don’t know what they’re doing, why are they all up in my grill?
They’ll assign an issue to me, asking me to do “analysis”. In other words, figure out why the code they wrote doesn’t work. I’ll find the problem, let them know what my approach will be and then start working. Halfway into my work, one of them will start questioning my logic and suggest another approach. Most often I was right from the start, and they’ve only managed to waste even more time. If they’re going to go behind me and work on the very tasks they delegate to me, why even involve me in the first place?
I’m the System Architect. I’m their boss. I’m supposed to be changing the bad practices that got us here to begin with. Has anyone explained this to them yet? I have a meeting with the lead developer on Wednesday. We’re both on the same page regarding what needs to be done and how. I’m going to ask him to communicate to everyone why he hired me, what I’m here to do and why it will benefit us as a team. I’m not here to take anyone’s job, just make everyone’s easier.
I’ve been working long hours, too. You know it’s bad when you’re in a Friday status meeting with a release due on Monday, and the only way to make the deadline is to come in over the weekend.
That reminds me of a scene from Office Space, where Peter’s boss waits until late afternoon on Friday to tell him that his services will be needed over the weekend.
“Yeah, I’m gonna need to to come in tomorrow. Let’s say… around 9:00 AM?” *starts to walk away* “Oh, I almost forgot. I’m gonna need you here Sunday too… yeah, thanks. “
Thankfully, my reply will always be: “No problem. I’m going to need to bill you for Saturday and Sunday.”
49 Comments to Working like a dog.
I loved the movie, “Office Space”, especially the line, “Corporate Accounts!, Nina speaking!, how can I help you?” That can drive people crazy, hearing that over and over again, lol. Good luck with, “changing bad practices”.
I meant, “Corporate Accounts!, Nina speaking!, Just a moment!”, lol
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Tuesday, July 20 2004