Software Development is a Social Activity

Poster

 

Software development is a
social activity

Justifications

  • because we need to write big programs
  • people have a deep need to be social
  • people build software

Implications

It's communication in the team that leads to shared responsibility and pride in the work, so...
  • put it on the fridge, not in the fridge

Commentary

Please feel free to mail me if you'd like to add to these observations.

(DH 2 April 2000)
This is a key principle of the new thinking in development.

Some points could be better expressed or at least refined. For example, we're being asked to build systems to solve more complex business needs, this often translates into bigger programs, but we're really being asked to tackle increased complexity, not size. The need to be social I see as reflecting the need to collaborate in a common purpose. And a healthy team will depend on more than communication, or at least communication at a superficial level through the products and deliverables of a project. Shared responsibility, social cohesion and a common sense of purpose depend on factors all the way from project charters and the visibility of sponsors to dress and body language in the team itself.

I like the soundbite - put it on the fridge, not in the fridge. Keep the shared products of the group visible, inside and outside the group!