[onion2k]

Updating a dependency, refactoring some code, or just making a 'simple' change sets off a chain of events that affect other people. The other devs need to review the code, the QA team need to test it, and then regression test the rest of the app, the devops team need to deploy it, the legal team need to update the legal documentation that lists the licenses for the dependencies the code has, the technical writers need to change the docs if the update has a visible impact for users, and so on, all across your org.

What looks like a small change to a developer is never actually a small change.

I really hope there aren't that many people impacted when you go for a piss.

[plutonorm]

Once you have technical decisions being taken by non technical managers you are sunk. It's hugely insulting to experienced engineers and it's a major reason that people leave. People crave respect and if they perceive that they aren't getting it, they will do what they can to get out. You cannot micromanage engineers in this fashion and expect to have good retention.

[ornornor]

Well said.

[Chris2048]

> making a 'simple' change sets off a chain of events that affect other people

Not every change affect other people, but isn't that my call to decide? Also "simple" in quotes implies it isn't i.e. you aren't trusting what you are told.

> What looks like a small change to a developer is never actually a small change.

Not true, this is hyperbole. If the lawyers need to be consulted to change dependencies this is something a developer should know and account for. Why keep devs out of the loop?

I consult with other devs, QAs (if needed) & external teams, perhaps with a ticket if deemed necessary, other times just a PR. I run the (CI) regression, I schedule/announce and perform deployment (we have platform team, not "devops" which is generally done by the app devs), I write the app docs, we have no legal documentation that lists the licenses for the dependencies.

I do this as a dev - why should I not be able to recognise if a change is small or not? let alone never being able to.

[jnash]

You are right if you work in an organization that is overly bureaucratic and incompetent. For the rest of us not so much.