Monday, November 08, 2004, 3:05:33 PM, Kent Beck wrote:
> Thank you for the clear statement of your position. I agree that no
> individual metrics accurately reflect individual contribution to team
> performance.
> The dilemma is that our sponsors want and deserve accountability.
> Metrics are a form of accountability. But the metrics are inadequate.
> One part of responding to the request for individual metrics is to
> respect the person making the request. They have a legitimate need and
> they have paid me the compliment of asking my help in getting that need
> met. A simple way to respond is to do what they ask us. If they want
> function points or lines of code, I'll find a way to give them function
> points or lines of code.
> That may bring up unmet needs on my part (that's what I hear in the
> violent reactions to Alfonso). I can try to hold those needs in, dump my
> fears on this mailing list (or the cat, or wherever). Alternatively, I
> can expose my needs to the person making the request: the way I work,
> I'm afraid that I will look bad compared to my colleagues. On my best
> days I manage to add functionality to the project while removing lines
> of code. I need some reassurance that I won't be punished for this. Then
> I listen to the answer.
> The solution to the metrics question isn't a belligerent "we don't need
> no stinking metrics". The solution lies in using the request as a way of
> exploring the unspoken needs revealed by our emotional reaction to the
> request, and using our response to the request as a way of deepening our
> work relationships.
Kent, you're absolutely right.
If I remember correctly... Two of the first three original
responders in this thread asked what the customer's goal was
in desiring metrics, and what kind of metrics were desired. I
don't believe we've ever heard a response to those questions.
The rest of the discussion here has primarily been based on
fear. It's important to voice our fears, but they are best
addressed with facts. We don't have any of the facts around
the original request. Somehow we seem to have forgotten that
the one sentence version of the the customer's request is
simply an invitation to a conversation.
I'm truly interested in discussions of what metrics the
customer might be interested in, and how she intends to use
them. I await more information.
--
Doug Swartz
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