Smalltalk Tidbits, Industry Rants: XP debate

http://www.cincomsmalltalk.com/blog/blog...

Traversing the spec without a spec?

[Matthew De George] August 22, 2005 10:31:00 EDT

I'd agree that XP is a response to an organisational problem; but that is not all it is. I think just because it only solves the software organisation's problem doesn't mean it isn't part of the solution for larger organisational problems.

I'm trying to solve the larger organisational problem (at http://www.managewithoutthem.com) by starting with market-based management within firms. I think Scrum can be an example of this because it provides the sort of 'market indicators' required through things like burndown charts.

My theory is that when you are looking at an architecture (read 'delineated shared understanding') of the *solution* you shouldn't suppose that the best way to build that solution is to follow the same structural elements with which the solution is broken up. That is, the structure of the final solution and the structure of the process to get to that solution (the 'delivery architecture') are not isomorphic.

Actually, I'd go one step further than that. I'd suggest that the delivery architecture is exactly the opposite of the solution architecture. This is partially just saying that process is more important than product. Or that process is more important than planning (which is certainly a market-focused approach). But I think there is more to it than that.

More importantly, if this is true - if you are trying to find a delivery architecture which is equally opposite to any possible solution architect – then why try to describe/specify the solution at all?

We have to change the way IT and clients interact certainly. IT systems are not just software programs. IT isn't just a shared service. IT is *structural*. An IT system is a part of your organisation just like a human resource or a partner or an org chart. There really needs to be a better understanding of this. I'm always confused when an ERP implementations biggest advantage appears to be that the finance department doesn't have to answer accounting questions anymore because the IT department is supporting the finance processes...