Is it me, or is it the industry?
I am coming across incompetence more and more now. Couple that with being unprofessional and irresponsible beahvior, and you are looking at a wall made of RCC. A case in point is a 100-people software development company in Noida. There are hundreds like them, dotting Noida and Gurgaon these days. But how did we manage to pick this company that blames everything on the client (the end customer, not me--I don't even count)? A project meant to be done in 12 days, takes five months to complete (and as I write, it still isn't!). In effect, I and another team person have had a harrowing time, these past few months.
The boss of the place takes no interest in what his people do. He is only bothered about how many new changes have been asked for and how much more can he quote. Never mind that the changes are errors and idiotic things created by his own team. He never takes calls. So there's nowhere to go if you want to escalate issues. When you write, he will tell his goons to reply. He has no time to spare and work on customer service. Not a second. If he did, we would close this project in half the time (yes, my client is not all haloed either, and keeps making changes as if all her changes are legitimate and should not cost a penny!)
The guy I coordinate with is amazing at writing mails that go round and round over multiple scrolls, so that he never gets blamed. This we figured was nothing but 'special effects' targeted at his boss! Who falls for it, btw. So effective special effects, I must say.
If he goes on leave, there is no one in this 100-people company to fill in...so project stalls. And if you throw a tantrum the next time he says he is going on leave and force the bosses to have someone else take charge, you get full guarantees on a replacement. But no such thing happens, of course.
"I will do as you say, I can't figure anything else out, can I!" The number of times one hears this in a regular day of work with him is mind boggling. I can hear myself yell inside: "No, how can you? You are but a software developer...that little pillar on which the entire bloody IT industry stands! How can I expect you to use your brains?" I can amost hear him retort: "Brain, what's that? Oh, that thing I left at home today?!"
Yes, exasperating. It's a wonder I have not developed hypertension. Or have I!
Can this be the state of our software development industry? Would there be many many more companies as this one? The IT industry proudly talks of innovation, quick turnaround times, and succcesful projects. Innovation? Can I see the end of this project, with the software in some basic working condition...I am reduced to this, innovation be damned! TAT...the less said the better! And successful...if at all there is some success, I think it's because of the two of us. We managed to climb uphill everyday, despite being pushed back every minute. That we are still sane, to me, is a huge success.
I am coming across incompetence more and more now. Couple that with being unprofessional and irresponsible beahvior, and you are looking at a wall made of RCC. A case in point is a 100-people software development company in Noida. There are hundreds like them, dotting Noida and Gurgaon these days. But how did we manage to pick this company that blames everything on the client (the end customer, not me--I don't even count)? A project meant to be done in 12 days, takes five months to complete (and as I write, it still isn't!). In effect, I and another team person have had a harrowing time, these past few months.
The boss of the place takes no interest in what his people do. He is only bothered about how many new changes have been asked for and how much more can he quote. Never mind that the changes are errors and idiotic things created by his own team. He never takes calls. So there's nowhere to go if you want to escalate issues. When you write, he will tell his goons to reply. He has no time to spare and work on customer service. Not a second. If he did, we would close this project in half the time (yes, my client is not all haloed either, and keeps making changes as if all her changes are legitimate and should not cost a penny!)
The guy I coordinate with is amazing at writing mails that go round and round over multiple scrolls, so that he never gets blamed. This we figured was nothing but 'special effects' targeted at his boss! Who falls for it, btw. So effective special effects, I must say.
If he goes on leave, there is no one in this 100-people company to fill in...so project stalls. And if you throw a tantrum the next time he says he is going on leave and force the bosses to have someone else take charge, you get full guarantees on a replacement. But no such thing happens, of course.
"I will do as you say, I can't figure anything else out, can I!" The number of times one hears this in a regular day of work with him is mind boggling. I can hear myself yell inside: "No, how can you? You are but a software developer...that little pillar on which the entire bloody IT industry stands! How can I expect you to use your brains?" I can amost hear him retort: "Brain, what's that? Oh, that thing I left at home today?!"
Yes, exasperating. It's a wonder I have not developed hypertension. Or have I!
Can this be the state of our software development industry? Would there be many many more companies as this one? The IT industry proudly talks of innovation, quick turnaround times, and succcesful projects. Innovation? Can I see the end of this project, with the software in some basic working condition...I am reduced to this, innovation be damned! TAT...the less said the better! And successful...if at all there is some success, I think it's because of the two of us. We managed to climb uphill everyday, despite being pushed back every minute. That we are still sane, to me, is a huge success.
posted by Suma at 12:12 AM
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