|
|
|
|
|
|
by polygotdomain
2626 days ago
|
|
|
>The actual length of a coastline is infinite when measured with an infinitesimally small measuring stick. >In actuality, the concept of an infinite fractal is not applicable to a coastline; as progressively more accurate measurement devices are used The notion of the length of the coastline, and why I think the question is apt as well, is that regardless of the fractal paradox, the practical answer is that there is an answer that is accurate enough to satisfy the business's or the customer's needs. The analog for software projects, from my point of view, is scope, and it's generally one of the biggest problems with projects that take too long. Product and various stakeholders take outline broad, high-level scope requirements that may or may not actually be informed by the realities of building or delivering that piece of software. They generally kick the can down the road and take a "I'll know it when I see it" type approach that winds up drastically changing things at some arbitrary point later on on the project. A rough measuring stick for scope always means that the answer will be longer, however, small measuring sticks for scope are absolutely impractical. What's needed is the understanding from the business that refining scope increases development time, and the high-level broad scope that is sufficient at the beginning of the project is not sufficient at the end. Many businesses want to run with the assumption that their broad scope and the estimates that go with them are accurate enough to bring a product to market. |
|
|