Re: Do I Really Need A Supervisor?

[John Apa <japa@delphi.dasd.honeywell.com>]

antialias@earthlink.net wrote:
> 
> Oh, heck, maybe it didn't belong on comp.lang.ada, but this
> IS the kind of software engineering environment that Ada
> software is developed in...this article was also posted to
> comp.arch.embedded and comp.software-eng...the comments are
> pretty much the same on those groups, many agree that I (we)
> don't need supervisors, but many try to defend the role of the
> supervisor...hmmm, I wonder if these defenders are themselves
> supervisors...
> 
> ...but then there is this rather curious response which was
> emailed to me but not posted:
> 
> > Yes.  You absolutely need a supervisor.

snip

> > I hope that I never have the mis-fortune of working with you, or the
> > horror of having you work for me.  I know I will never have to worry
> > about working for you.
> >
> 
> Very strange, very,very strange...

Not so strange. Realistic. Our industry will never gain the respect it
deserves as long as we are seen as code hacks. If we are to be
considered _engineers_ then we'd better start adopting some of the tried
and true methods of design. SEI may not be a magic bullet, but I'd
rather work at a company that is trying to improve than someplace that
just doesn't care. I enjoy solving problems, but I hate having to play
the politics game. I have supervisors to take care of that. Systems are
getting to complex to hack together over a weekend, at least the ones I
work on, and that means that more people are involved. The more people,
the more communication and coordination is required.

Four years ago, I was firmly against the "process" improvement and TQM
plans. But somewhere along the ines I realized that the reason I had
problems, was because it was being implemented poorly. Now I'm at a
company that is trying to do things right, and it's great. I'm free to
design and develop my software, without having to deal with all the BS
politics that goes on. Beyond that, the code we develop is more reliable
and maintainable. Part of having a process that works, is having good
people who maintain their technical edge. That means more training in
modern methods and tools. That is a good thing. 


-- 



***********************************
Standard Disclaimer Applies...
John Thomas Apa
Honeywell Defense Avionics Systems
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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