5 Ways You Might Be Failing at Software Doneness
One of the most anticipated acts at a circus is the juggler?a performer who can move five or six or more balls in the air at the same time. The really complicated juggling acts, however, add something extra to wow the crowd. The juggler?first climbs some stairs, high up but still close enough for everyone to see. He’s on a platform. The overhead lights are dim while one bright spotlight is on the juggler as he starts to juggle?one, two, three, four, five, and six balls moving effortlessly through the air, all in balance. He’s good!
But now, a new spotlight illuminates everything to his right … and everyone is amazed. It’s a tightrope that runs across the entire stage to another platform. The juggler then turns and faces the tightrope while juggling the six balls, and he starts walking slowly across. Step by step, balancing and juggling, he gets to the other side. He then turns to face the crowd, catches each ball, and bows. The crowd roars in delight! He’s done!
In many ways, a software developer is a juggler who is keeping many balls in the air while simultaneously walking on a tightrope. If you drop any balls or you walk in the wrong direction, you will fail. If, on the other hand, you get to the right destination with all the balls in the air, you get to stop, take a bow, maybe get some applause, and be done with your software.