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"The executive also led feature-implementation across the operating system, and he managed both bug-fixing processes and feature distribution to consumers." Th

"The executive also led feature-implementation across the operating system, and he managed both bug-fixing processes and feature distribution to consumers." This statement is interesting to me. My understanding of Apple's organizational structure is that individual leaders are given broad responsibility for specific things. As I read this, my impression is that Mr. Lamiraux was the buck-stops-here guy for any and all bugs that come through iOS. (Among other responsibilities.) Inside Apple, is it that literal? I contrast that with other software companies, where those responsibilities are largely delegated out to many different people, but there is rarely a single person who is accountable. For example, I could never imagine a single, go-to individual at Microsoft who would be responsible for the bug-fixing process in Windows 8.

drewcrawford 13y ago
I file an unusually large number of bugs with Apple so I am familiar with their process, or as familiar as someone on the outside can be. There are definitely a lot more than one engineer involved in fixing bugs on ios. That said, Apple is a fraction of the size of MS, so it would not at all surprise me if I learned that he has seen my name on bug reports. I interpret this "managed bug-fixing processes" statement to mean "used Radar (Apple bug tracker) often enough to identify specific process improvements for radar which he then designed and led implementation".
- jroseattle 13y ago
  Heh, I didn't mean to imply he's the only individual involved in bug resolution. Rather, it's his job to ensure bugs are resolved, whether he or some entire division of engineers are working on the problem.
wooster 13y ago
Apple is big on having DRIs, or Directly Responsible Individuals. It really helps limit buck-passing.
- jroseattle 13y ago
  That's an important consideration, and it's one I wish Apple would contribute in terms of thought leadership to the industry. We need more of this, not less of it. I'm sure it's a huge competitive advantage for Apple, but if more companies took that approach -- individual ownership vs. management-by-committee, it seems less likely things would fall through the cracks.

drewcrawford 13y ago

I file an unusually large number of bugs with Apple so I am familiar with their process, or as familiar as someone on the outside can be. There are definitely a lot more than one engineer involved in fixing bugs on ios. That said, Apple is a fraction of the size of MS, so it would not at all surprise me if I learned that he has seen my name on bug reports. I interpret this "managed bug-fixing processes" statement to mean "used Radar (Apple bug tracker) often enough to identify specific process improvements for radar which he then designed and led implementation".

jroseattle 13y ago
Heh, I didn't mean to imply he's the only individual involved in bug resolution. Rather, it's his job to ensure bugs are resolved, whether he or some entire division of engineers are working on the problem.

wooster 13y ago

Apple is big on having DRIs, or Directly Responsible Individuals. It really helps limit buck-passing.

jroseattle 13y ago
That's an important consideration, and it's one I wish Apple would contribute in terms of thought leadership to the industry. We need more of this, not less of it. I'm sure it's a huge competitive advantage for Apple, but if more companies took that approach -- individual ownership vs. management-by-committee, it seems less likely things would fall through the cracks.