Reply to: Why you're all rubbish.

[threaded]

Just been to have a read and it is there. Can't admit to understanding it all though. You lost me at "auto-vectorization"...

Basically means you get to use the screaming sindy instruction set without having to specifically code to use them, the compiler is clever enough to work that out for itself.

[Xenophon]

I've a story on the front page of slashdot at the moment too!

threaded in "you're all just so jealous it make me to larf" mode

Just been to have a read and it is there. Can't admit to understanding it all though. You lost me at "auto-vectorization"...

[threaded]

Soft, what smell from yonder hinterland goes?

'tis Threaded with his mighty wheelbarrow of bulltulip!

I've a story on the front page of slashdot at the moment too!

threaded in "you're all just so jealous it make me to larf" mode

[Euro-commuter]

The article presupposes that the "IT Workers" can control whether the project is on time or not. I've been on a few projects where we have always been on time but the requirements from the customer change during the course so the original estimate is no longer relevant.

That's true.

And as for the original survey question, if you asked me whether I'd suffer if my project came in late, I'd have to say no; but that doesn't mean that I'm feckless and irresponsible, and that the project will indeed be late because I have no incentive to bring it in on time. I would be in trouble if my work were late, but not if the whole project were. My work is not the whole project.

So blame it on the managers, or on the consultancies. Don't blame it on the IT knowledge workers.

[Churchill]

I tend to get stuff done so quick the customer doesn't have time to change their mind.

They do anyways, and so I do it again.

Soft, what smell from yonder hinterland goes?

'tis Threaded with his mighty wheelbarrow of bulltulip!

[threaded]

I tend to get stuff done so quick the customer doesn't have time to change their mind.

They do anyways, and so I do it again.

[Churchill]

Whether we are slaves to our bosses, slaves to our government, or slaves to society, the fact remains that we are all slaves.

Hear hear.

We are all proles.

Churchill, plenty on the go.

I shall send a couple as requested (female of course)

Good lad!

[dang65]

I've been on a few projects where we have always been on time but the requirements from the customer change during the course so the original estimate is no longer relevant.

This happens so often that I've actually found myself slowing right down on my current project because I know the customer is going to change his requirements as we go along. I don't want to waste a load of time getting the original spec perfected when they're sure to change it anyway. That's a pretty bad thing to admit, I know, but it comes from much previous experience.

[oraclesmith]

I notice that Sweden are at the top of the list. Could this be to do with the natural tendency for Scandanavians to be pessimistic about the future and therefore to set much larger margins for time, cost etc ?

The Spanish (naturally optimistic people for whom the project will eventually be finished, maybe someday) are at the bottom.

[The Farmer]

Whether we are slaves to our bosses, slaves to our government, or slaves to society, the fact remains that we are all slaves.[/QUOTE]


Hear hear.

We are all proles.

Churchill, plenty on the go.

I shall send a couple as requested (female of course)

[Board Game Geek]

Interesting point there about most people being rubbish.

I certainly think there is an element of truth there.

I mean, look around at the people you meet, you work with, you know.

Is everyone happy-clappy 100% motivated for success and doing a good job ?

I'll think you'll find that the majority feel underpaid, disenfranchised, exploited and fed up. They turn up, do their bit, and feck off, because it pays the bills. Because there is no other option. Because companies want it on the cheap, and quality is not important anymore.

So you hire cheap workers, to do cheap work (dressed in ITIL and British Standards to keep the client happy), and no one really gives a monkeys if it succeeds or not, because it's all bllx anyway.

I think most workers have cottoned on to the fact that they ain't gonna live in "The Big House, With The Big Car(s), earning squillions", so what's the point ?

Sure, the platitudes might be there, in that they have the same opportunity as Mr Big, when infact that's the biggest lie of all, spread to try and keep the workers hopeful of a future change in their fortunes.

Whether we are slaves to our bosses, slaves to our government, or slaves to society, the fact remains that we are all slaves.

[chicane]

I hear that Polish immigrants are somewhat motivated. Maybe we should give them jobs in IT to boost the success rate of projects

[shoes]

It's not just us! Most people are bad at their jobs. Some can't be bothered because they don't think they are paid enough, some are just plain incompetent, some are completely uninterested in what they do, etc etc. Most managers can't manage or motivate their staff and it spreads downwards. It's the norm in all industries, we hear complaints about the ones we are most familar with all the time on this forum. Recruitment agents and HR depts being the obvious example, followed by estate agents, the staff in PC world etc etc. Everyone is rubbish, it's not news! Just look around!

[Sockpuppet]

I feel compelled to point out that bringing a major IT project to completion within the allocated time and budget is considerably more complex than driving a big rig from Southampton to Bristol within 5 hours.

Duly noted. However you'll also find that all my projects (warehouse design etc) have been on time. Budgets not an issue as it works on cost plus basis upto agreed limits.

[Alf W]

Define 'on time' and 'within budget'? The skilled PM always ensures both criteria are stretched to fit what's been delivered or jumps ship early.

They don't teach that on the Prince 2 course!