Dynamics of Software Development, Second Edition

#27: Be like the doctors

Doctors mostly manage to retain a modicum of respect and social approbation without pandering to the fears and insecurities of their patients, all of whom are destined to die. Theirs is a good model for setting expectations. Software development, like medicine, is not an exact science. It’s unfortunate that software development isn’t yet generally recognized as an art form that happens to have technical aspects.

“Of course, there’s always some risk in even simple procedures...”

For now, we really have to learn to be like the doctors. They are able to say, quite comfortably and confidently and with conviction, “These things are never certain.” Doctors seldom if ever state with certainty what the outcome of any procedure ...