Re:Learnings from 5 years of tech startup code audits
by marginalia_nu on Thursday May 26, 2022 @09:20PM
(#31525149)
I think the harder you scrutinize the distinction between a tech problem and a business problem, the harder it becomes to find it.
When there appears to be such a distinction, that's usually a manifestation of something like Conway's law, a symptom that there exists an unhealthy organizational divide between business and technology.
Not my experience..
What does a “tech failure” look like? Do the servers catch fire? Is the web site down? Maybe people are unable to login to their stations?
Hi-tech business is “Tech”, so the failure of the business is in fact the tech failing. More specifically, the business was unable to direct the tech to solve real problems and solve them well enough.. New hires took too long to onboard.. Engineers were only superficially productive.. Communication between the stake holders and engineers was lacking.. etc.. etc..
Take note that in all scenarios above “work” is being done, “progress” is being made.. ceremonies are everywhere and success is seemingly around the corner.. Or is it?
It’s just very hard to see these issues, they are hidden under layers of meetings, firings, hiring, pivots, milestones with little progress in actual business value.