in reply to Re^3: Enterprise development: Its ok to say No!
in thread Enterprise development: Its ok to say No!

Well i guess it depends. If you can figure out what the underlying problem is and identify a better solution then you have a number of options. You can provide several quotes for how much work will be involved, naturally the dumb solution will take longer. :-) Alternatively you can simply implement your own solution as a "proof of concept" and then point out they can have it Right Now, or wait some time for the dumb solution.

Another approach that works is use deductive reasoning to identify potential issues in the design, then write a very carefully worded mail saying that you wont procede until the issues are resolved to your satisfaction, or until a manager provides you with written instructions stating that they understand the issues that you have raised and want to go ahead anyway. This is useful because very few people like this want to be put in the hot seat. By forcing them to provide documentation you are making clear that in no way in the future will you be held responsible for the poor design, and that instead they will.

I suspect the truth is tho that the only really good solution is to find a different place to work.

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$world=~s/war/peace/g

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Re^5: Enterprise development: Its ok to say No!
by shmem (Chancellor) on Dec 23, 2006 at 16:50 UTC
    I suspect the truth is tho that the only really good solution is to find a different place to work.

    Glad you wrote different, and not better or the like. To quote one of my favourite german authors (Morgenstern? Hesse? the former, I guess) -

    Es gibt keinen Ausweg außer zum noch Schwierigeren.

    There is no escape except towards the more difficult.

    ;-)

    --shmem 

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Re^5: Enterprise development: Its ok to say No!
by poqui (Deacon) on Dec 27, 2006 at 19:10 UTC
    Well, I understand your answer; but it hasn't worked that way.

    The better solution usually takes longer than the "Just Get It Done" date that has been given; the time spent on developing the Proof of Concept reduces the time one has to JGID.

    And the other approach of identifying potential issues is shouted down with cries of "purist!" and "fantasy!".

    How do you shift the responsibility to the one who is holding you responsible?

    I haven't been able to. So I JGID, and try yet again to convice someone that there is a better way.
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