Aardvark and Bandicoot, Chapter 5
Thu 5 May 2016 by mskala Tags used: programming, math, philosophy, aardvark, bandicootIn which there is No More Progress, and a Management Decision is Made
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Aardvark: Are you almost finished with that module for evaluating expressions?
Bandicoot: Yes! I have your module for parsing strings 80% complete!
A: Friend Bandicoot...
B: Yes, Friend Aardvark?
A: You told me 80% last week. If these percentages you're reporting are correct, then you haven't actually made any progress since then, and only 5% in the last month. We're already way behind schedule and at this rate, it won't be finished at all.
B: Well, time estimates are always somewhat approximate.
A: One is forced to ask, why? Why haven't you made any progress in the last week?
B: It's these optional features. Some of them are really giving me trouble.
A: It's been so long since we started this project, I don't even remember there being any optional features in that spec, and I don't have my copy handy to read about them.
B: Where is your copy of the spec?
A: I left it in the pocket of my other sweater. But, look, there's something I've learned about optional features...
B: Is this something you learned in management school?
A: Yes. You know what's special about optional features? They are...
B: Optional!
A: Right. So just implement the firm requirements, make sure it passes the test suite, and we'll call that good enough for the current iteration, okay?
B: Good, that's what I was hoping you'd say.
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