4 ms·
Metaphors get abused in this article in a confusing way, and I don't think it explains why the quality curve goes downward at first -- the initial drop in quali
by dkarl 2y ago
Metaphors get abused in this article in a confusing way, and I don't think it explains why the quality curve goes downward at first -- the initial drop in quality is compared to an initial capital investment? what? -- but I agree with the truth of it.
I think the article could be a lot shorter and easier to understand if it simply said that the current design is in a local maximum, and you have to work your way incrementally out of the local maximum to reach a different local maximum. I think programmers would get that metaphor a lot more easily than the "buying widgets for a new factory" metaphor.
I do like how the article puts the spotlight on designing the process of change: picking the route, picking the size of the steps, and picking the right spot to announce as the goal. That gives me a lot of food for thought about the changes my team is contemplating right now.
- Chrisoaks 2y agoAppealing to a local maximum more or less repeats the claim. Why would the current design be at a local maximum in the first place?
- immibis 2y agobecause otherwise you'd improve it incrementally?
- sdwr 2y agoYeah, it has a good point to make (change means abandoning local maxima), but overplays its hand. The curve picture feels like a false idol, as soon as he starts doing TA on it, the carriage is well in front of the horse
- lpcrealmadrid 2y agoWhat a wonderfully constructive comment. This is a great model for me to remember when I encounter things I like the substance of but dislike some of the specifics. Thank you!
- hu3 2y agoWonderful summary. Perhaps to rephrase it even simpler: To reach higher mountains we need to climb down our current peak, walk through valleys, until we find higher mountains to climb.