April 30th, 2010
From my horizon, I see two distinct and yet complementary macro-trends driving the way we become better at developing software. One could be called “Methods & Tools” the other could be called “Professionalism & Craftsmanship”. These two trends are not new, they have been around as long as we have built software. Both are based on the fact that it is people who develop programs, rather than methods and tools. But they take different approaches to the problem by focusing on different aspects of software development.
Trend “Methods & Tools,” exemplified by Semat Initiative (www.semat.org), of which I myself am one of the founders, drives the thesis that the way we develop software is immature and in need of being revolutionized. Yes, these are strong words, but the initiative is supported by more than 30 renowned scientists, scholars and practitioners in software engineering field, including leaders from major industrial corporations (e.g., ABB, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Samsung, Microsoft, etc), academia (researchers, professors, institutional managers), and thousands of practitioners around the world.
Specific problems addressed are that often methods seems to be based on fashion and fads; that there are almost an infinitive number of methods that cannot be assessed and compared with each other. The number itself is not a problem. There should be many methods, however, these methods must be designed in a way in which they can be compared, assessed and improved. Finally, there exists a big barrier between academic research and industrial practices, which must be torn down.
The way forward is based on observation and understanding that:
- Every method is just a composition of practices, either human or technology related.
- Practices are reusable over many application areas and technologies.
- Underneath all practices is a small kernel of universals described by a small kernel language.
- Universals are things that we always have, do or produce when building software. We will discover them!
- Practices and universals will be described by the small Process Kernel Language.
Using this kernel and the language, we can describe all known methods, and, since practices are comparable, therefore, methods that are composed from these practices can be compared. I would like to tell you a lot more now, but it can wait for later. The impact of this SEMAT initiative is that, if successful, we will streamline the entire software world: from academia to industry, from practitioners to teachers and researchers. We will become better, faster, and happier in developing software.
After all, it is people who develop software, not methods and tools. So we must address the “human” side of software development.
Trend “Professionalism & Craftsmanship”, which is popular with the original founders of the agile movement, for instance by Bob Martin (Uncle Bob), who takes a different stand point of view. From this aspect, the big problem is not the lack of methods or tools, but is how we train, educate and mentor programmers to become professional craftsmen. Code can be written by anyone at any time, but what makes us professionals?
- We must be proud of what we do. We must be able to say “no” to either the boss or the customer if necessary. We have our practices and to comply with them cannot be compromised.
- The boss and the client must accept the fact that our work is technical in nature; so let them think we are geeks, but respectable geeks.
- Eliminate hourly rate - doctors or lawyers are not paid by the hour (even if they under pressure may say so). There must be better ways to charge.
- Anything what is worth doing should be done well and with quality. When we ship code, we must know that it works. Acceptance testers should not find any errors.
- Become competent through an apprenticeship program. Choose a master and learn from him/her. After some years you may select a new master and also learn from him/her.
Both trends are of course important.
Proponents of methods & tool suggest that it is clear that we must constantly improve professionalism. However, it would be much easier to be professional if we can elevate the level of our understanding of methods & tools.
Proponents of professionalism & craftsmanship are concerned that such an elevating means forcing restrictions, and many are therefore hesitant or reluctant to work with or support initiatives related to methods & tools.
It is clear to me that we must do both. Since Bob Martin is a signatory of Semat, it is clear to him as well.
It is smart!