The problem with this kind of analogy is that a builder starts with a set of well-defined plans drawn up by some architect or engineer and then executes the hou

The problem with this kind of analogy is that a builder starts with a set of well-defined plans drawn up by some architect or engineer and then executes the house to those specs. I've worked in construction, and a handful of my good friends work in construction of various types. We often laugh at the comparisons between software development and construction. I've certainly never seen a job where the plan worked without modification from beginning to end, and many projects begin with a pile of change orders.