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Politics-Oriented Software Development

43 points by skorks 17y ago

huherto 17y ago
"Remember that managers are essentially secretaries who can fire you." ...I am precisely living through this right now. Of course not every manager is like that, but some definitely are.
hga 17y ago
I have been studying this level of software development since 1979 (sic, when I first encountered the obviously by then doomed MULTICS, saw how much had been dropped in the transition to UNIX, and wondered "why did it turn out this way?") and this is perhaps the single most useful document on it that I've ever read. Plus a tremendous motivator to work in low politics startups, yes ^_^?
ebun 17y ago
I read this and started immediately reminiscing of past jobs. No classes in my engineering curriculum prepared me for this so I didn't "get it" when I first started out. Did your schooling mention this sort of thing? If not, do you think they should?
- gloob 17y ago
  I had one lecture in one course that was more or less about this; as I recall, one of the first sentences out of the prof's mouth that day was (paraphrased) "Don't tell anyone it was me who told you this." It was certainly an interesting (if rather depressing) lecture.
camccann 17y ago
As an interesting counterpoint, one of the comments gives an excellent definition of a good software development manager: a bi-directional bullshit filter to keep the techs and suits from scaring each other (and in general being a single point of access to the development team for the rest of the company). Management at that level is very much an "if you've done it right, no one will know you've done anything at all" sort of thing. It's a subtle art but anyone who does it right is incredibly valuable.
kentosi 17y ago
If only someone told me of this article 5 years ago. Especially the part about working overtime ONLY if it's visible to everyone. I really enjoyed reading this.
- GFischer 17y ago
  I've seen in some companies I've worked with that it is seen as more positive if you arrive a few minutes before start time (or before everyone else), even if you do nothing at the time, than to arrive slightly late but stay and do some productive (unpaid) overtime (yes, I'm the kind that likes to sleep until the last possible minute - I wish I didn't have to be at my desk by 8:30 AM sharp but I do). Edit: and yes I sometimes have to stay late because I got distracted by HN or Slashdot or whatever... I guess I should use the noprocrastinate option :P
donaq 17y ago
... it is easier for a manager to change jobs than it is for a developer. Has anyone found this to be true? My personal experience contradicts this so far.
Calamitous 17y ago
This is exactly why I went to work for a startup. We're becoming successful enough to start seeing some of this nonsense; when it gets too ridiculous, I think I'll be moving to another startup...

43 points by skorks 17y ago

"Remember that managers are essentially secretaries who can fire you." ...I am precisely living through this right now. Of course not every manager is like that, but some definitely are.

hga 17y ago

I have been studying this level of software development since 1979 (sic, when I first encountered the obviously by then doomed MULTICS, saw how much had been dropped in the transition to UNIX, and wondered "why did it turn out this way?") and this is perhaps the single most useful document on it that I've ever read. Plus a tremendous motivator to work in low politics startups, yes ^_^?

ebun 17y ago

I read this and started immediately reminiscing of past jobs. No classes in my engineering curriculum prepared me for this so I didn't "get it" when I first started out. Did your schooling mention this sort of thing? If not, do you think they should?

gloob 17y ago
I had one lecture in one course that was more or less about this; as I recall, one of the first sentences out of the prof's mouth that day was (paraphrased) "Don't tell anyone it was me who told you this." It was certainly an interesting (if rather depressing) lecture.

camccann 17y ago

As an interesting counterpoint, one of the comments gives an excellent definition of a good software development manager: a bi-directional bullshit filter to keep the techs and suits from scaring each other (and in general being a single point of access to the development team for the rest of the company). Management at that level is very much an "if you've done it right, no one will know you've done anything at all" sort of thing. It's a subtle art but anyone who does it right is incredibly valuable.

kentosi 17y ago

If only someone told me of this article 5 years ago. Especially the part about working overtime ONLY if it's visible to everyone. I really enjoyed reading this.

GFischer 17y ago
I've seen in some companies I've worked with that it is seen as more positive if you arrive a few minutes before start time (or before everyone else), even if you do nothing at the time, than to arrive slightly late but stay and do some productive (unpaid) overtime (yes, I'm the kind that likes to sleep until the last possible minute - I wish I didn't have to be at my desk by 8:30 AM sharp but I do). Edit: and yes I sometimes have to stay late because I got distracted by HN or Slashdot or whatever... I guess I should use the noprocrastinate option :P

donaq 17y ago

... it is easier for a manager to change jobs than it is for a developer. Has anyone found this to be true? My personal experience contradicts this so far.

Calamitous 17y ago

This is exactly why I went to work for a startup. We're becoming successful enough to start seeing some of this nonsense; when it gets too ridiculous, I think I'll be moving to another startup...