[IxDA Discuss] design by committee??

[Robert Hoekman, Jr.]

And bad management is not something you can overcome unless you're the
manager. :)

-r-


On 7/18/06, Wilson, Russell <Russell.Wilson at netqos.com> wrote:
>
>
> However, you raise an interesting observation: "design is often a pretty
> fun thing for a developer..."  I think this is one of the hinge pieces
> of this discussion.  "Design is fun..." where their "real" job isn't?  I
> would propose that we all can
>
> [Russ]:  The product interface receives the most attention from
> non-developers.  Marketing, sales, etc.,
> all comment on the interface, not the underlying algorithms.  So by
> taking this piece "away", developers
> lose some "pats on the back".
>
> I was a programmer and I can tell you that I had a strong sense of
> accomplishment
> in implementing algorithms that worked (database implementation, the
> networking communication to support
> client-server applications, etc.).  But, outside of development, there
> are few if any individuals or groups
> that recognize these efforts (other than the tangible results like good
> performance, etc.)
>
> So, on the one hand I keep arguing that developers should focus their
> expertise and creative talents on
> good *implementations* and leave design to design, and I can't
> understand why that's a problem.  Then on the
> other, I attend meetings where product managers get visibly excited
> about the "new interface" and compliment
> me over and over without saying a word to the developers...
>
>