If a process produces a report that nobody reads...
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RJOberg wrote:
... opinions on how it should work and no one can agree or compromise.
You know, maybe I have been associating with a better class of people lately? Ten years ago, I'd have totally agreed. Either I've mellowed enough that I don't put other people's hackles up or they've gotten more mellow when they disagree so it doesn't feel like they are totally ignoring what I say. I opened an E-mail saying there are three kinds of lies, 1. lies, 2. D@mn lies, and 3. statistics. I agreed the report did accurately report an average, but then I showed 3 other ways to accurately get 3 different numbers where all were an "accurate" average with a vote of one of my three as the best way. The product manager agreed with me, that it was the best way to calculate it. Ten years ago, I'd tell them, this is the way to calculate the average and there was a 50-50 chance that the team would agree with me. When they go another way, I'd privately disagree, but support their decision. (Sometimes gnashing my teeth.)
KP Lee wrote:
You know, maybe I have been associating with a better class of people lately?
The various opinions comment was a bit of a hyperbole. For the most part our users are fairly good and many of them give constructive feedback about what they would like changed. Many of them feel that if certain changes were made, it would make how they use the product easier. The problem is that these changes can be at odds with what other users would make their experience better since each one uses different parts of the system more heavily or in different ways than others. Then we have the vocal minority who have no problem calling upper management directly to voice their opinions about why everyone else is wrong. For the most part our developers, design staff, and product staff work very well together and hash out ideas that work for the majority of the users given the limitations we work within. We disagree from time to time but can compromise on what would work best. This job would be fantastic if it weren't for the users. ;)