Software Geek

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Whenever I lead a project, I always try to plan in such a way that sets me and my team up for success.   I do this in many ways, starting with a good methodology, doing thorough analysis, and providing a level of risk/certainty along with any estimates I provide. 

Part of this strategy involves ensuring that client expectations match developer and project expectations.  I tend to use the tried and true approach; “Plan for the worst, hope for the best”.

Some people see me as a pessimist, but I beg to differ - I consider myself a cynical, yet optimistic, realist.  By that, I mean that although I do plan everything based upon the worst case scenario, in my heart I truly believe we are going to achieve the best case scenario every time.  It often surprises me when people take my approach to be negative while at the same time, I often see their approach naive & overly optimistic.

The truth is that there seems to be a gradient scale of attitudes and philosophies employed from project to project depending upon the people leading and participating in the project.

Over the years, I started a private game in my head of creating nicknames for the different patterns of behavior.  Here are a few names of I have toyed with in the past:

“Expect the worst, then add 20%” - The Pessimist

“Expect the worst, hope for the best” - Reformed Pessimist

“Expect the best” - Mr. Optimist

“Expect the best, but prepare for the worst” - Fallen Optimist

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“Plan for the worst, hope for the best, but expect something in between” - Uncle Realist

“Just do it!” - El Toro

“It is what it is.” - Aunt Apathy

“I don’t want to hear about risks, just tell me when it’s done.” - The Ostrich

“Oh, you arent done yet?” - Captain Oblivious

“How much longer?” - The Waiter

Which one are you?  Is there one philosophy or attitude you believe works better than others?