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There's a claim in one of the reply threads that they contracted HP to build a replacement years ago, but the project didn't succeed: https://twitter.com/tradel

There's a claim in one of the reply threads that they contracted HP to build a replacement years ago, but the project didn't succeed: https://twitter.com/tradel/status/1246526465207869440 https://twitter.com/tradel/status/1246526465207869440

dehrmann 7y ago
This feels like government thinking around infrastructure or military hardware where you open up bids and accept the lowest offer. While there are problems with lowest-bidder-win, the real issue here is that systems like this are more living and breathing than one-off; you need a teams that tend to them, not bringing in a contractor.
- Lammy 7y ago
  The linked Twitter thread includes replies from someone who worked on the intended-replacement system indicating that “in the field” data entry accuracy was one of the biggest problems and not something that could be easily solved in code.
- LeoTinnitus 7y ago
  This is what happens when you have typical business moron-types get elected roles that treat complicated systems as though it's construction work. It is, but you can't have any joe schmoe off the street coming in and learn how to pour concrete in a day. This is something that requires practice and problem solving skills. And years of it.
  - _delirium 7y ago
    Judging by how a lot of construction projects have gone, this might also be usefully applied to pouring concrete [1]! [1] https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/major-concrete-issues-found-in-silver-line-metro-extension/53398/ https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/major-concrete-issu...
    - deleted 7y ago
      [deleted]
  - scarface74 7y ago
    And these are the same people that people on HN think should “regulate tech”.
coryrc 7y ago
Needs a design-build contract, like the Highway 99 tunnel in Seattle. You get one set of money and only if it works in the end. No change orders or cost plus.
- zerocrates 7y ago
  It's funny to see the viaduct replacement brought up as a success, but I guess if the state wasn't on the hook for the cost overruns it was probably a pretty good outcome, all things considered.
  - coryrc 7y ago
    I'm still astonished we haven't yet been made to pay for that disaster. (Other than a billion more than fixing it would cost and with increased congestion...)

dehrmann 7y ago

This feels like government thinking around infrastructure or military hardware where you open up bids and accept the lowest offer. While there are problems with lowest-bidder-win, the real issue here is that systems like this are more living and breathing than one-off; you need a teams that tend to them, not bringing in a contractor.

Lammy 7y ago
The linked Twitter thread includes replies from someone who worked on the intended-replacement system indicating that “in the field” data entry accuracy was one of the biggest problems and not something that could be easily solved in code.
LeoTinnitus 7y ago
This is what happens when you have typical business moron-types get elected roles that treat complicated systems as though it's construction work. It is, but you can't have any joe schmoe off the street coming in and learn how to pour concrete in a day. This is something that requires practice and problem solving skills. And years of it.
- _delirium 7y ago
  Judging by how a lot of construction projects have gone, this might also be usefully applied to pouring concrete [1]! [1] https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/major-concrete-issues-found-in-silver-line-metro-extension/53398/ https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/major-concrete-issu...
  - deleted 7y ago
    [deleted]
- scarface74 7y ago
  And these are the same people that people on HN think should “regulate tech”.

coryrc 7y ago

Needs a design-build contract, like the Highway 99 tunnel in Seattle. You get one set of money and only if it works in the end. No change orders or cost plus.

zerocrates 7y ago
It's funny to see the viaduct replacement brought up as a success, but I guess if the state wasn't on the hook for the cost overruns it was probably a pretty good outcome, all things considered.
- coryrc 7y ago
  I'm still astonished we haven't yet been made to pay for that disaster. (Other than a billion more than fixing it would cost and with increased congestion...)