Re:Imaginary Problems Are the Root of Bad Software
by sirsinsalot on Monday June 19, 2023 @05:26AM
(#36389024)
I would argue the billing model, client relationship and everything else commercial isn't running effectively at that firm.
If I were a client, I wouldn't want these perverse incentives to exist. I would want a razor sharp focus on _my_ needs, and assurance that _my_ needs are modelled in the billing.
And for that, I would pay more.
Re:Imaginary Problems Are the Root of Bad Software
by MSFT_Edging on Monday June 19, 2023 @12:02PM
(#36392621)
Why is the bug fix not billable, but the test writing is?
Our salary is loosely linked to what percentage of our work is billable (with leniency for inexperienced staff, who aren't expected to be profitable while they're learning their craft).
If you spend three hours figuring out why things fall apart on the 31st of the month... that generally can't be billed to the client, and therefore it's bad for your salary.
On the other hand, if you spend three hundred hours writing tests and implementing an awesome multi-stage deployment process that avoids one production bug a month? Your manager can totally bill that work (with the right client).