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  • #2155277

    Beware “The Arrogance within IT”

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    by richard.cheary ·

    Over the years I have seen talented, driven, proud software dev-squads self destruct
    due to IT-Arrogance. When individuals position themselves as greater than the sum of the dev-squad, negative results such as demotivation, apprehension and non compliance creeps in putting the overall project delivery at risk. Recommended management of this risk is to cultivate a culture of “sharing and growth” within the team and set the following practice technique expectations on the dev-squad as a whole.

    Senior Member Responsibility

    Without getting all airy-fairy/touchy-feely, IT is
    up to the senior members to demonstrate humility, coaching desire and effective
    communication skills for a dev-squad to operate efficiently.

    Defined Contribution Areas

    Within a software dev-project there are set number of roles and responsibilities
    to be fulfilled. By defining these “contribution areas” and allocating them
    to team members, over and above the dev-project requirements, with SMART
    goals set to be achieved. This will ensure a dev-squad is geared and steered
    in a direction that covers the bases and measures achievement.

    Distributed QA Accountability

    Whether it be code, design, architecture or as critical a project plan/schedule
    that is ready for distribution it is imperative to practice “Distributed
    QA Accountability”, which can be achieved with a mandatory request process
    for a peer QA review. The process ensures a level of trust and respect is being
    exercised within the dev-squad. A dev-squad that practices this process will
    work well together, due to the high expectations and criticality of each others
    work ensures thoroughness and pride.

    Delivery Proud

    Most IT specialists are passionate about what they do. Passion on IT’s own
    does not ensure delivery success, as it is most often selfish passion. The specialist
    who instills “pride” in their work will deliver quality consistently.

    The acknowledgment of “Arrogance within IT” and the application of the above into a dev-squad will improve quality and secure client acceptance.
    Of course every project varies, a well
    structured team that has shared past project experiences, have respect for
    each other will kick “The Arrogance outof IT” from within.

All Comments

  • Author
    Replies
    • #2978434

      Huh?

      by cmiller5400 ·

      In reply to Beware “The Arrogance within IT”

      Where did this come from? Left field?

      • #2971472

        On my mind

        by richard.cheary ·

        In reply to Huh?

        Howsit.

        Left field || Leftside of the brain?

        Wanted to jot down some thoughts and viewpoints on managing the developer ego and ensuring alignment to greater goal to be achieved by the dev-squad they are a member of.

    • #2971469

      Not just IT

      by bizzo ·

      In reply to Beware “The Arrogance within IT”

      Nice post. The kind of arrogance you describe is not necessarily just in IT.

      When any member of any team puts themselves on a pedestal above other members, this kind of team destruction can occur. And the remedies you suggest are (as always) mostly common sense, but do often need to be reiterated.

      One part did make me chuckle though, sorry, in the “Senior Member Responsibility” section, I think the phrase you’re after is “airy-fairy”. After all, who wants to get touchy-feely with a HAIRY-fairy? 😀

    • #2971438

      Incompetence in IT

      by jdclyde ·

      In reply to Beware “The Arrogance within IT”

      I have seen incompetence in a dev group pull down productivity as well as motivation.

      When you get the one braindead person in the group that got their job based on being so nerdy looking, the boss figured he/she HAS to be a genius, so gives him/her a job.

      This person gets credit for what the real techs do.

      And then, there are people like me, that are just to damn good looking to be considered a techie nerd. Don’t hate me for my outer beauty…. 😀

      • #2971392

        Deit Coke

        by wizard-09 ·

        In reply to Incompetence in IT

        Every see the Deit coke ad with the fit guy, well that’s not me lol, but i dont look like a nerd and in’t to bad looking myself lol

        • #2971376

          Back to ‘Skool’ with you

          by the ‘g-man.’ ·

          In reply to Deit Coke

          Oh wait, you are at School – your IP address tells me so.

        • #2971368

          in’t? wtf is in’t?

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to Deit Coke

          NITS! Need a translation over here! B-)

        • #2971359

          Translation

          by wizard-09 ·

          In reply to in’t? wtf is in’t?

          In’t it’s belfast (Ireland) talk for isn’t look i am not at school i short hand is that ok G-man you’re hounding me boy leave me be lol :p

          Note you’re and not your (that better for you) lol

        • #2971351

          Word for the day

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to Translation

          punctuation.

          Try it. :p

          As for In’t. I have heard southerners say in’it but never without the “i” in the it.

        • #2971344

          But

          by wizard-09 ·

          In reply to Word for the day

          I’m not from the south, i am from the north of ireland come on please give me a break lol. :p

        • #2971342

          One break, coming up!

          by jdclyde ·

          In reply to But

          I wasn’t complaining, just saying the closest I had ever heard was FROM our south.

          Better watch it, the kids are coming to get your lucky charms…. ;\

        • #2971240

          You decide

          by nicknielsen ·

          In reply to Translation

          where you’re making your mistake…

          your ? /yʊər, yɔr, yoʊr; ?pronoun
          1. (a form of the possessive case of you used as an attributive adjective): Your jacket is in that closet. I like your idea. Compare yours.
          2. one’s (used to indicate that one belonging to oneself or to any person): The consulate is your best source of information. As you go down the hill, the library is on your left.
          3. (used informally to indicate all members of a group, occupation, etc., or things of a particular type): Take your factory worker, for instance. Your power brakes don’t need that much servicing.

          you’re – /yʊər
          contraction of you are: You’re certain that’s right?

        • #2987623

          De-Side lol

          by wizard-09 ·

          In reply to You decide

          I can de-side (decide) to spell in the way in which I feel I want 2, I am not being judged on this form for my abilities to spell but for my technical or non technical answers. Now if you don?t like that or feel that it?s inappropriate then that?s your problem I don?t really care what anyone thinks. I am what I am and what I am will never change for anyone. :p

        • #2987604

          Spelling

          by the ‘g-man.’ ·

          In reply to De-Side lol

          forms part of any answer. Type is irrelevant.

          Make up your mind. All that is required would be some semi-decent English.

    • #2971343

      Well…

      by fregeus ·

      In reply to Beware “The Arrogance within IT”

      Although i command the risk you’ve taken in tackling an important and delicate issue, I must admit I’m not sure exactly from where you stand:

      You wrote:

      “Over the years I have seen talented, driven, proud software dev-squads self destruct due to IT-Arrogance. When individuals position themselves as greater than the sum of the dev-squad, negative results such as demotivation, apprehension and non compliance creeps in putting the overall project delivery at risk.”

      In this I see two situations. One where a development team seems to be out of touch with their customers needs, and two where difficult individuals are making the team miserable because they think they are god’s gift to IT. These are two distinct issues that cannot be solved the same way.

      The first seems in line with your suggestions while the second is not. Yet your Title seem to be more in line with the second version.

      What exactly where you trying to say?

      TCB

      • #2987581

        Where arrogance leads …

        by richard.cheary ·

        In reply to Well…

        Howsit

        Thanks for pointing your confusion out 😉

        Attempted to point out the downfalls of “Arrogance within IT” can lead to an unmotivated team as well as risking project failure in the client’s eyes.

        This attempt led me to outline the possible practices to be applied to ensure neither of the negative results are realized.

        thanks for taking the time to comment

    • #2971337

      One Break, Coming Up

      by wizard-09 ·

      In reply to Beware “The Arrogance within IT”

      Thank You lol, I was just trying to have some fun. I never thought that I would be hounded for my spelling ha ha gone are the good old days (School). :p

      • #2971299

        Just like the day….

        by the ‘g-man.’ ·

        In reply to One Break, Coming Up

        you all setup Twitter accounts in computing class.

        • #2971281

          MMMM

          by wizard-09 ·

          In reply to Just like the day….

          I have you no I’m a MCSE, with 6 years in I.T & currently undertaking my CEH.

          I run 4 different domains, as well as that I run a wireless network at these locations also. I could go on all day and talk about it G-man but I am sure its near you bed time :p

        • #2971279

          An MCSE you say

          by the ‘g-man.’ ·

          In reply to MMMM

          What version did you study?

        • #2971268

          MCSE

          by wizard-09 ·

          In reply to An MCSE you say

          MCSEE / 2000 + NVQ’s in I.T & GCSE’S , currently undertaking my CEH if they let me take the test when i aply in the next 6 weeks.

          Woked IBM AS400 Mainframes, as i said i could go on all day, because i don’t feel like spelling as if i am in school don’t think i am thick and undermind me please :p

        • #2971237

          The question you must ask yourself

          by nicknielsen ·

          In reply to MCSE

          [i]…because i don’t feel like spelling as if i am in school don’t think i am thick and undermind me please[/i]

          Do I want sloppy spelling in my public writing (e.g. on-line posts) to give the impression that I am sloppy on the job?

          I chose to answer that question in the negative; you appear to have chosen differently.

          edit: corrected spelling

        • #2987637

          MCSE for 2000 is out of date

          by the ‘g-man.’ ·

          In reply to MCSE

          You have no valid MCSE.

        • #2987626

          MMMM

          by wizard-09 ·

          In reply to MCSE for 2000 is out of date

          I still passed the test, i don’t see why i should get the MCSE +1, i am taking a different course at the min.

        • #2987606

          Point was…

          by the ‘g-man.’ ·

          In reply to MCSE for 2000 is out of date

          You say you have a MCSE but you do not – as it is no longer valid.

          MCSE has a shelf life unless you update it.

          That is all.

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