Engineering Without a Measuring Tape
Engineering Without a Measuring Tape “When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” Engineering (noun): the branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures. Solutioneering (noun): Attempting to solve a problem with an incomplete understanding of the situation. One of the defining traits of a software engineer is to always have a solution; an escape from the claustrophobic confines of a problem. The more expedient the better. This behavior leads to engineering teams engaging in the questionable practice of solutioneering in echo chambers. As an engineer, solutioneering can be a hard pattern to recognize because we’re solvers at heart. We get praised and paid for solving problems quickly so taking a step back can be challenging, but sometimes it’s the best way to make progress. In developing a robust solution, taking the time to ask information gathering questions can pay big dividends by saving engi...