Who dunnit?
Ever since 8-bit microprocessors were the latest big news, I've been fascinated by what they and their grown-up cousins can and cannot do. In a few decades, from being a matter of niche interest, they have developed into a globally pervasive presence, enabling all the benefits and perils of our technological lives. From domestic gadgets that nag us about our eating habits to car-sized galactic exploration devices that whisper to us from far outside our solar system.
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Even more fascinating to me than what they can do is the issue of how they are persuaded to do it. It is easy to forget that behind each one of those advances there have been the conscientious and inspired efforts of countless human beings.
Software is everywhere!
Like microbial life, its importance is often overlooked, and its pedigree and side-effects are too often ignored. However, unlike the microbiome, the population and health of our cyber-sphere is directly under our control.
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There have been many initiatives which seek to guarantee the safety, consistency and ease with which software can be developed. Many of these methodologies may be effective within their sphere, but none are universally applicable, and most tend to assume a legislative role rather than focusing on fostering a healthy development culture.
Pre-nuptial agreements are only needed in cases where something has already gone wrong. Deterrent sentencing is only partly effective at preventing offences.
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Health not medicine!
A good software development culture may make use of any of the many "methods" available, but whatever styles of process are adopted, the most important things about them are that everyone involved knows why the steps are there and what they're intended to accomplish, and that the process fits in well with your overall aims.
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For smaller businesses, the overhead of running a full-blown formal development methodology can seem intimidating, but it is always possible to take the best elements of them and find a sustainable balance. This takes experience and care, of course, which may not available to every company. It is our mission to make it possible for you!
So, the answer to "Who dunnit?" is:
"We all dunnit, and now we get to fix it!"