[rock] The "get me the rock" story describes a manager-subordinate
relationship where
the manager doesn't have all the answers. The manager asks for a rock and the
subordinate gets one, but without a complete specification, the subordinate
gets the wrong rock. The story iterates over various types of rocks with the
manager getting more and more upset, because the subordinate cannot read her
mind.
The story actually is about a customer relationship. The manager is
acting as the customer. She doesn't know what she wants until the
subordinate starts building something. Classical software methodologies
say that the manager must provide a complete specification up front
or her subordinates will be unable to complete the task.
Analysts bridge the gap between programmers (coders) and the customer.
The difference between requirements and specifications is semantics.
Usually, a requirements doc can be read by the customer and the
spec is much more detailed and technical. Essentially, the
analyst acts as a translator between customer-speak and programer-speak.
Coders are not supposed to deviate from the spec. A spec is
a solid plan of going forward. If you code outside the spec,
random things will happen during testing. Your modules won't
be compatible with other people's modules.
Reviews and audits are performed by different subgroups to ensure
their parts conform to spec, including coding guidelines
interface specifications. A review is performed after the coder
or analyst is done. Inertia has set in.
Testing is best left to a third party. Coders can't test their
own code, because they have a conflict of interest. If they
find bugs, they've failed. Cognitive dissonance theory says
that a programmer will have natural inclination towards optimism.
"My code works. I just need to do a few tests"..
The system is put into production. You change as little as possible. The
specification is set in concrete and serves as a bible. System maintenance
documentation is complete. User manuals have been written.
Any changes require updates to all of this. Change is very
expensive.
