Software Management: Reification, Institutionalization and 'Too Big to Succeed'

摘要

The subject for today's column is software management, software process, metrics and some of their failings. In particular the warning signs raised (or not, as in Sherlock Holmes noticing the dog not barking in the night) by metrics that leave management between the proverbial rock and a hard place. In "designing" the work-breakdown structure of a project there will be accounting choices for taking credit for work accomplished. For example, 50% credit for an activity may be taken when an activity is started, or 50% credit may be taken at the mid-point. But only when an activity has been fully completed may 100% credit be taken. This is how things have been done in project management for the past 50 years.