tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24054768120312112382024-03-13T22:26:01.568-04:00Rhythm of TestingPete Walen's observations, comments and thoughts on Quality, Software Testing, Agile and Scrum.Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.comBlogger287125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-27530449481809747522020-12-23T19:04:00.001-05:002020-12-23T19:04:44.282-05:00The Beginning<p>This has been my testing blog's home for many years. As things have grown, they have also changed. </p><p>One change is my new website, which is the new home for my blog going forward.</p><p>You can find it <a href="https://www.petergwalen.com/blog" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-36133385470341382782020-10-14T21:32:00.000-04:002020-10-14T21:32:58.966-04:00Contractor Life - Pt 4: Making Success<p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is the fourth piece looking at life as a contractor, when that isn't your<br />first choice of gig. The first part is <a href="https://rhythmoftesting.blogspot.com/2020/09/contractor-life-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>. The second can be found <a href="https://bit.ly/3kPGwMt" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />The third is here. Please continue with me on this journey,</span></i></span><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: center;">Responsibility <br /></h3><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The question of "professional responsibility" or "responsibility" in general, is one that is hard to describe in sweeping terms. Instead, I look at it in very small, granular ideas. These grains of ideas might add up to something bigger for you. . </span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-26638c73-7fff-f796-67fd-fb388df0f972" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">First, when working, work. You can't stay 100% focused all the time. That is obvious to anyone who has ever worked in software. There are ways to do redirection which can help you maintain focus. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A brisk walk to get some tea or coffee or up and down the hallway a moment. </span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Working from home? A short walk away from your work area and back might do the trick. Come back ready to go.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">If the client wants 10 things all at once, don't promise what cannot be done. Have the conversation around what can be done, by what point, when combined with other accountabilities for the organization and the team. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Work to define what is really the most important of these. Then the next most important, and so on. Of course, the priorities are likely to change. The availability of resources can impact what can be worked on. Other needs might arise which need to be addressed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Address them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Also note the time and effort it took to handle the changes and how these impacted your ability to deliver on the 10 things the client originally said they wanted. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Communicate with them. Let them know that working on issue X will impact your ability to deliver Item 1 on time. Is that what they want or should you focus on Item 1 and work on issue X as a secondary task? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This does not mean stop and do nothing until you get direction. Work on understanding both of them. This understanding will help you structure your work so even if you are blocked on one thing, you will not be blocked on everything. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This is pretty normal. It is not significantly different from working as an employee, right? One big difference is being able to account for what you are doing. You need to be able to show what you are working on and maximizing what you can produce. Another big difference is a basic rule, no "extra work" is done unless you can bill for it. Do not work any hours you cannot report and bill for. You are not an employee. You are an hourly worker, paid to do specific tasks, by the hour.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">That is why you need to be able to show what you are doing and working on. You need to show that you can make progress on important tasks even when "blocked" on the top priority items. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Yes, there is a cost to switch back and forth between tasks. I don't recommend it unless there is a clear reason to do so. If you are waiting for a response to a question that needs an answer before you can proceed, that might be a reasonable thing to do then. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: center;">Value </h3><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">When it comes to "questions," odds are you'll be asking a lot of them when you start a new engagement (contractor-speak for 'gig'.) Be open to the responses. Also, look for how the answer is presented, not just what the answer "is."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Was there a sigh or a pause before the answer? Was there some hesitation as if selecting the "right " words? These might point to areas the other person is concerned about or has some other insecurity. It might be an opportunity to offer help.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Yes, I get the "don't impose help" basic rule. This is not really "imposing help." Sometimes a little empathy and a leading question can go a long way</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">"You seem a little unsure about answering that. It's OK. Maybe we can come back to it. Or, is there something you'd like to talk about now?" </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Coming in from the outside, contractors can bring a fresh set of eyes to situations and problems in the organization. It might be that your experience is different from the experience of others you are working with. If most of the teams have been there a long time this is likely. If many are in their first one or two jobs in software, it is a certainty.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">You can bring a perspective they do not have which can help them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">It may not be your "job." It is one way you can help them and demonstrate how you can contribute to the project being a success. It is a small amount of effort to hear their questions and give suggestions based on your experience and understanding of their situation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">By building a relationship based on trust, you help them do their jobs better. You help address the questions they have and present them in ways they could not present them. </span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Trust</span></span></i></h4><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Building trust is the most obvious and easiest way there is to bring value to your clients. When the people you work with come to you asking for suggestions or advice, it often means that they and the rest of the team have never encountered the situation before and need guidance. It is highly probable their leadership has likewise not encountered the situation. If they had, it seems unlikely the team would be coming to you if their leadership had already given them advice or direction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">There is one more really important factor to consider. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Always be honest. As tempting as it is to say what the client wants to hear, if that is not true or accurate, don't say it. Be forthright. If something they want to do seems a bad idea, say so. Tell them it is a bad idea, and why. Offer a suggestion or an alternative direction.<br /></span></p><p>If there are multiple "outside" agencies involved, be aware of their motives. Are they operating in a boiler-plate approach? Where one-size-fits-all? Are are they working to meet and fill the unique needs of THIS client? If there is a large team from one or more organizations, are they operating in a way that makes sense?</p><p>If their performance measures for their teams and individuals are not in alignment, tread carefully. Watch to observe behaviors of individual contributors and how they differ from the client's employees and those of the other agencies.</p><p>In this thing, one key point to keep in mind: going with the flow from the predominant agency may not be in the best interests of <b><i>your </i></b>client. </p><p>Always act with your client's best interests in mind. Be willing to explain your perspective and reasons for the differences. Let them decide, then act accordingly.<br /></p><p></p><h3 style="text-align: center;">Making Success <br /></h3><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The
great challenge for most people appears to be not having a tangible
idea of what success is, or looks like. For some, it is a large income
with a fancy title, the ability to afford a really nice car and home.
The ability to join the "better sorts" of society. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">That might work for some. I find the idea of success to be illusory. What others bestow on you, they can also take away. What you can do for yourself, your family and friends is more real. I find "success" to be paired with "happiness."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">There is a quote often attributed to Mary Kay Ash, the founder of the cosmetics company which bears her name, Mary Kay. It runs:</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>"Happiness is having something that you love to do, someone to <br />love, and something to look forward to."</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">For software professionals, I believe this translates to something like, "interesting work solving interesting problems, someone or something to care about other than yourself and something that can be achieved to reward yourself with."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I cannot </span>define what success looks like for you or anyone else. I cannot tell you what motivates you. I can tell you my thoughts on the idea of success no matter if it is as an employee, contractor or consultant. Maybe there will be something there to help you find your idea of success. Maybe that will help you find what motivates you to reach it.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-80894140106714463842020-09-29T21:48:00.000-04:002020-09-29T21:48:58.773-04:00Contractor Life - Pt 3: Toward Success<p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is the third piece looking at life as a contractor, when that isn't your<br />first choice of gig. The first part is <a href="https://rhythmoftesting.blogspot.com/2020/09/contractor-life-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>. The second can be found <a href="https://bit.ly/3kPGwMt" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />Please continue with me on this journey,</span></i></span><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: center;">Toward Success <br /></h3><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Trying to define "success" for anyone other than yourself is nearly as pointless as trying to find what "motivates" another person. Both, no matter what you may have learned in school or heard from famous and infamous pundits. Both are internal. Both could be absolutely true for one person and absolutely false for another.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">No single person can define what success looks like for another. No single person can define what might motivate another. The challenge is finding and defining what success looks like for us. We ourselves can figure out what motivates us.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">The myriad ideas around "success" shift and change over time. For many, in the end, the idea of success is to be happy, or at the least, content. If we have a "job" with a title and a large paycheck, oftentimes those are bestowed on us. This means they can be taken from us. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">I cannot tell you what success looks like, for you. I can tell you how I view success. Maybe that will help you in your thinking about success.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-8e7a390a-7fff-707d-5369-5bd229b47677" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I cannot tell you what success looks like, for you. I can tell you how I view success. Maybe that will help you in your thinking about success. It doesn’t matter if it is as a “contractor” or “consultant” or an “employee.” </span></span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><i>Balance</i></span></h4><p><b>Know why you are there. </b></p><p>If there are obvious problem areas it is tempting to jump in and say "Let's fix this!" I might gently suggest not doing that. Gerry Weinberg in <a href="http://geraldmweinberg.com/Site/Consulting_Secrets.html" target="_blank">The Secrets of Consulting</a> warned against "imposing help." It doesn't matter the situation. If they are not ready to ask for help to change, or fix, a problem, then let it be. </p><p>No matter how many areas where there are improvements that can be made, focus on the reason why you were brought in. Understand the rules in place and how people work. Understand the problems they face and recognize it is possible there are perfectly reasonable explanations for why they are doing something in a way you find suboptimal. Learn the energy and observe.</p><p>Oh, and do what your contract says to do. If that is "write code" then by all means write code. If that says "test code" then test the code. This becomes the biggest challenge and the largest responsibility area for you. </p><p>I've seen several people come in and suggest things that might help an organization. Yet those things were not part of why they were brought in. Don't fall into the trap of "this is more important" than the testing or development work. It may be more fun for you, but until <span style="font-family: inherit;">you are asked to propose changes to those other things, don't. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do what your contract says. Do it to the best of your ability. Demonstrate success and let them see what you can do. <span id="docs-internal-guid-18169c15-7fff-ca70-4a13-818a9d42e87e" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When the contract manager or their boss express frustration with a situation, ask if they would like help with that. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-18169c15-7fff-ca70-4a13-818a9d42e87e" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Until you are directed otherwise, your primary task and purpose is what your contract says. This should always be remembered.<br /></span></span></span></p><p><b>Know when you are there.</b></p><p>Doing what we do, most of us are salaried employees. There is an expectation we will "get the job done. " If there is any chance we cannot deliver the work because of problems we encounter, we need to communicate that clearly and let our team and management know we are having problems. </p><p>If the problem is "there isn't enough time to do this" the response is usually something like "It needs to get done on time." </p><p>In my youth, I had no issues working massive hours of overtime to "get the job done" and "deliver" what was needed when it was needed. I remember one position where for a three month stretch where I was working an average of 70 to 80 hours a week. I no longer recommend that. </p><p>When you are <b><i>salaried</i></b> and you hit "crunch mode" then most shops expect something like an "all out effort." While three months is a crazy long time, when you are working under contract, the rules are different.</p><p>If the "expectations" are not different, check the terms of the contract.</p><p><b>Contract Terms</b></p><p>In your contract there will be some very specific things. There will be rules for you to follow and adhere to. (Many of these likely resulted from stories that might best be related over beverages after hours.) There will be expectations listed:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>dress professionally; </li><li>show up on time; </li><li>show up;</li><li>don't bring illegal things to work;</li><li>don't bring some things that are legal to work;</li><li>don't be a jerk.</li></ul><p>There will be an outline of what work is to be done. This may be fairly exact, or it may be broadly phrased. Any discussions had before the offer being extended would likely have given a clue what the terms meant.</p><p>There also will be a rate to be paid in exchange for that work.</p><p>Much of the time, this will be presented as an hourly rate and how to report time and file an invoice for the time. Usually, there will be a fairly explicit instruction that the work is to be 40 hours (or some other number) per week.</p><p>There it is. The magic limit. This is usually the most you can report and invoice for in a single week.If you work more than 40 hours can you report and invoice for it? Maybe. It depends on the terms of the contract. I have usually seen a requirement that anything over 40 hours needs prior approval from the client.</p><p>And there's the rule. That right there. If you are not approved to work over that limit, don't. </p><p>Why not?</p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: red;">Money Stuff</span></i> <br /></h4><p>You are being paid a specific rate per hour for doing specific work. Working more than the contracted time per week (normally 40 hours in the US) that might be OK. If you can invoice for them. If you cannot get paid for doing the work, don't. Explain it to the people who want more time - gently. </p><p>Sometimes, often, any work done OVER 40 hours a week is at a higher rate. If hours 1 through 40 pays you at, say, $40 an hour. Hour 41 and over might well be something like $50 an hour. </p><p>The placement firm you are contracted through likely also sees a bump in rate. If you get paid $40 an hour, normally, they are likely billing the client $60 or $70 an hour (or more.) That is, after all, how they make money from getting you the gig. It also may cover "their portion"of the benefit costs if you selected any benefits.</p><p>For them, you working any overtime means they get more money, too. Your $50 an hour for work over 40 hours a week might result in them billing $80 or $100 an hour. If you work 5 hours of "overtime" and report it and invoice for it, that will cost the client perhaps $500 in this example. Likely more.</p><p>Most of the contracts I have worked, there was a clause that no overtime would be paid if not agreed to "in advance" by both parties. The "in advance" part is a little grey, if not murky. In short, you can't bill them for extra time worked if they don't agree to pay you before you work it.</p><p>Most clients are thrilled to have people work "extra." They just don't want to "pay extra" for it. Short version - if it takes more time to get the work done than is contracted for, make sure the client will pay the invoice. If they are not willing to pay the invoice, don't work it. When you hit 40 hours for the week, shutdown. </p><p>Doing "extra" for them might help them in the short term. It certainly does not help you. It also does not help the agency you are contracted through.</p><p>You owe it to yourself to make sure you get paid for every hour worked.</p><p>But, what about "professional responsibility?" Excellent question. That will be covered in the fourth part of this journey.<br /></p>Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-69111346687686271182020-09-24T16:35:00.000-04:002020-09-24T16:35:08.843-04:00Contractor Life - Pt 2: Contractor or Consultant? <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is the second piece looking at life as a contractor, when that<br />isn't your first choice of gig. The first part is <a href="https://rhythmoftesting.blogspot.com/2020/09/contractor-life-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /></span></i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Please continue with me on this journey,</span></i></span></p><h3 style="text-align: center;">Contractor or Consultant? <br /></h3><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Loads of people work as contractors and really like it. They like it a lot. Most of these chose to become a contractor at some point. Some have become full time employees of contracting firms. Of course, many of those firms prefer to be described as "consulting services." Whatever. There is a difference. I won't go on a rant about it here. Maybe later.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Having said that, part of the reason companies bring in contractors for software work is simple. They can be brought in for a specific purpose or task. They do the task. Then they go away - with money in their pocket.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">They (well, me included when working on a contract assignment, so "We") are software mercenaries. Most folks don't like that description. I prefer "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privateer" target="_blank">privateer</a>." We get hired to do a specific task. We do it. We leave and go to the next engagement. Sometimes they want us to stay and do another specific task. Then the contract might get renegotiated. Or not. </span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: red;">Contractor? Consultant? </span></i><br /></h4><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is one thing I have not said about contractors, software mercenaries or privateers. If my contract is for a specific task - that is the task I do. I am not acting as a consultant. My primary purpose there is not to help them improve and make their world better. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes, if the contract is to be a ScrumMaster or "Agile Facilitator," that means my purpose is to act as a ScrumMaster and teach the team, or teams, about things "Agile" - or at least, Scrum. These contracts might be of a short duration, or fairly lengthy. They might get renewed - or not. Still, the fact remains - when the task is done, in this case, the teams are up and running and able to be self-sufficient so they don't NEED a ScrumMaster, I leave.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I tell teams I'm a bit like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanny_McPhee" rel="nofollow">Nanny McPhee </a>- "When you need me, you don't want me. When you want me, you don't need me." That is still a contract, although it does trend a bit to "consultant." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The difference is often rather mechanical. </span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><i>Mechanical? </i></span><br /></h4><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">What does that mean? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">An organization brings in someone for a specific purpose. For example, a person is on medical leave for a few months and the company needs someone to do the basic day-to-day tasks of the job so the wheels keep turning. That is a pretty typical temporary "contract" position. Fixed period and very specific scope.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Another company is getting bogged down in a software project and needs help getting it written and tested so it can be delivered on time. Maybe the same company needs a new automation framework to be developed to be able to more efficiently conduct testing for the same project. These are both typical "contract" scenarios. You have a set purpose, mission and expected end date. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The example from earlier, working as a ScrumMaster to get a team up and running within a Scrum framework. The task is to get the team to be working as a self-organized team, executing and delivering in a period of time. If they are reasonably well functioning to begin with, this can be very successful. If they are well functioning, this task will likely be impossible in a 6 or even 12 month time period. (This is one of the challenges using a fixed-date contract for a role like this.)<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The contracts for these positions will usually define specific skills and abilities for the person filling the role, as well as expectations of what is needed. These will get circulated with various firms who will scramble to fill the roles - often presenting a slew of candidates in a short period of time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Will there be challenges? Sure. Of course there will. Automation frameworks need to be weighed and balanced between several factors. Then designing the framework, and so forth. Completing these tasks takes a fair amount of effort and can sometimes be a challenge. In the end, however, the framework is fully functional and people from the client company can use it without considering how the framework was built. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In each of these, the important thing to the client is not that they understand how the thing was done, but that it was done. Because it was done, they can carry on with what they need to do. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is likely you have encountered this before and have had contractors do work for you. Maybe not the huge, massive work like building custom designed house. More likely, bringing your car to an automotive garage for repairs or maintenance. Calling a plumber or electrician to fix a problem in your home is the same arrangement.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">They are doing work for you - a specific task. They contracted to repair your vehicle or your plumbing for a given rate, normally within a given time frame. It is very mechanical.</span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;"><i>But Consulting?</i></span></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know a fair number of people who do contract work and brand themselves as "Contracting Consultants." The challenge is, that is inaccurate for most of them. I know. People will point at specific things and say "See? I'm a consultant! Not a mere contractor!" Fine. Sure. One can use nearly any word imaginable to describe themselves. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">When a consultant is brought in, the problems which need to be addressed are more open-ended and less well defined. There is a change needed, but what that change might be is often a vague idea in the minds of the client. It also might be completely inappropriate for what they say they want to address or achieve. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">How is that different from contract work? I look at it like this.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">A contractor will fix your car for you. A consultant will teach you about modes of transportation, find some that are most appropriate for your needs and then guide your decision making. They may also teach you how to repair your car yourself so you don't need to bring them in for automotive problems again. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">They will help you become capable of determining what needs to be done then doing the work yourself. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">A good cons<span style="font-size: small;"><span>ultant will lay the groundwork for future work, by satisfying their client's needs in a way that the client will tu</span></span>rn to them for guidance and help in areas other than what they are brought in to address.</span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-30c3147a-7fff-69b4-e694-69a3f63a89cc" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A contractor will help you "transition" your team to some form of "Agile" as you believe it is needed. A consultant will have the hard conversations looking at why you want to “do Agile.” They will help you determine if there is a reason to "do Agile" other than that is what everyone else is doing.</span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A charlatan is someone who comes in with a prepackaged solution branded with their company logo to fix your problems without knowing what those problems are. They excel at selling clients a bill of goods. All the while, they will tell you that this “solution” is right for you and they can help you implement it and get all the awesome goodness of “Agile.”</span></span></span></span></p>Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-79940688607863053032020-09-18T20:47:00.000-04:002020-09-18T20:47:12.531-04:00Contractor Life - Part 1<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span id="docs-internal-guid-9f84f99e-7fff-96a1-1cf2-b73ed3031425" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The world of working in software changed </span><span id="docs-internal-guid-9f84f99e-7fff-96a1-1cf2-b73ed3031425" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic. Loads of people were "made redundant" or "laid-off" or simply fired. Many are having a hard time getting in with their "ideal" gig. Some, some of them being people I know, have simply given up and are doing other things "for now." This post marks the first of a series of posts on my experience working as a contractor - not a consultant. There are similarities but they are decided not the same thing. I will address the differences an up-coming post.</span></i></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9f84f99e-7fff-96a1-1cf2-b73ed3031425" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Full Time Employee to Contract: The Beginning</span> <br /></h2><p>The last six weeks or so, I've had conversations with several former colleagues. These were people I worked with some time ago. A couple were recent, more were several engagements and a few jobs ago. All had been "let go" recently, either the result of the COVID-19 economic downturn, or some organizational restructuring or some other reason. I asked each of them the same basic question...</p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><i>What kind of gig are you looking for?</i></span></h4><p>They gave answers that could be summed up as "Just like the last one I had." This seemed reasonable, given they had been in their respective roles for some time. It was where they felt comfortable. Each of them added one more thing - the same thing: "I'm not interested in contract work. I want to be a full time employee."</p><p>I asked why that was such a hard requirement. The answers could be summed up in a few points.</p><p><b>1. Stability</b><br />Each wanted to have some sense of stability in their position. Some had left their last role after a couple of years. A couple had been with their company for 5 to 7 years. One had been there 14 years. "Stability" has a level of attraction which makes sense.</p><p><b>2. Medical Insurance/Benefits</b><br />For folks in the US, this is huge. The certainty of quality health care is a massive attraction in a society where most people's health care insurance is provided, or significantly underwritten, by their employer. This might not make much sense to people outside the US, but the simple fact is, for many Americans, if they lose their job they also lose their medical and health coverage. It might not be immediate. It might be a couple of weeks or a month. But sometime soon, those will end. </p><p><b>3. Sense of Belonging</b><br />This is the easiest one for everyone to understand. Most people, in my experience, want to believe, or feel, they are part of something bigger than them and bigger than a paycheck. The feeling of being an "outsider" can be hard, particularly in a society where mobility has transported family connections across the continent or the globe. When your identity gets defined by what you do and where you do it, when that ends, what now is your sense of identity?</p><p>These are all reasonable expectations. At least, they would have been reasonable 20 years ago. The might have been reasonable 10 years ago. For the situation we are in now? I'm not sure how reasonable it is.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><i>Why Do I Think That?</i></span></h4><p>Over the last 15 or 20 years, I've seen a shift in practices for a fair number of companies. Typically, they had "just enough" software folks to do what they needed to do. They would be able to make tweaks to the existing systems and modifications to what was going on. There was a time when building a website or mobile app would generate a fair amount of excitement among the software folks working there.</p><p>Before then moving away from a mainframe and shifting to a client/server environment generated a fair amount of excitement. I remember one place I worked where folks were excited about the shift to the "new language" of COBOL. They were shifting from PL/1. </p><p>Excitement isn't enough to make things happen, unfortunately. Whatever illusions I had about working in software at a single company for my entire career ended long ago. (To be precise, 1985.) I knew I would never work for a company where I'd be presented a gold watch as my grandfather was when he retired. </p><p>For some people, working at a single company for most, if not their entire career, is normal and wonderful. It is very comfortable. And then it becomes not comfortable.</p><p><b>Stability is a Myth</b><br /></p><p>If you are in the States, and live and work in an "at will" State, I suspect you have less safety and security than you think you do. You can be let go at any time, with or without a reason. Sure, you can collect unemployment for a while, but that is often far, far less than you might think, if you have never been on unemployment before. </p><p>If you, like some of my colleagues, were "let go" because of the downturn from the pandemic, you likely have come to the same realization. Companies will do what they need to do for themselves or their stockholders. A shock to the financial statements might be one thing. There might be warning signs. There might not. </p><p><b>Medical Insurance</b></p><p>In the US, if you are the primary source of insurance coverage for you and your family, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) can help, maybe. You'll need to find some form of insurance to at least cover you for a while, until you "get back on your feet." </p><p>The first time I took on a contract role, I went in well aware of the challenges. I was working as a straight C2C/1099/Self-employed contract person. I was responsible for buying my own health insurance, paying estimated taxes quarterly and paying "full book" for taxes where normally the employer pays half and the employee pays half. It was complex and a challenge in a lot of ways.</p><p>Unlike many today, I went into that well aware of what I was getting into and it was my choice. <br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><i>Things Have Changed </i></span></h4><p>Loads of companies, by no means all, are no longer willing to bring on "independents." They want someone "affiliated" with a company they trust, have worked with before, or at the very least, have heard of.</p><p>The result is many ads are being posted for positions by those firms (placement, contract, whatever) to meet their client needs and expectations. These come in several shapes, sizes and flavors. I'll talk about them in a bit.</p><p>The biggest change, and most consistent, is how you are working. Instead of being an employee of the client, you may likely be a temporary employee of the firm that placed the notice. The "temporary" part means you are an employee for the duration of the contract. The employee part is they will handle payroll tax withholding. They may also offer some form of benefit package you can choose to participate in.</p><p>If you <i><b>DO</b></i> choose to participate in the benefits, it may (and almost certainly will) limit what your billable rate will be. Ask. Ask what the costs are to participate in their "benefit program." Then compare that program with what you can find on the market. Your best bet might be to take their program, or it might be something on the open market.</p><p>What about stability and job security? Excellent question. There are a couple of ideas in my head around that idea. First, contracts have a fixed duration. They might be 3, 6, maybe months or longer. Usually they can be extended or renewed. </p><p>Much of the time, there are clauses that allows them to cancel the contract. Most of the time, they can cancel at any time for any reason.</p><p>If you work in an "at will" state as an employee, this is exactly the same thing that can happen to you. You can be "let go" at any time for any reason. The difference in these two, is an employee may be able to file a claim for unemployment support, depending on things like what state the employee lives in and what reason, if any, the employer gives for you being let go.</p><p><b>Belonging and Community</b></p><p>This is a huge challenge. It will continue to be a challenge no matter if you are an "employee" at a company or a contract worker doing work FOR a company. Many, perhaps most, companies that make software have people working "remote" because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend will continue for some time, I suspect. (Last I heard, Uber software folks are not expecting to return to their offices until June of 2021 - at the earliest.)</p><p>When you are physically distant, as well as not really being part of the club, there are challenges in keeping and maintaining that sense of purpose and team.</p><p>Virtual meetings and "happy hours" don't relieve the strain and in some ways make it harder. These are part of what I see as a response to the pandemic-forced remote work - and not unique to contract employees.</p><p></p><p>In short, no one has a strong sense of belonging unless they make it for themselves.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;"><i>Moving to Contracting</i></span></h4><p>There is one consideration I have not mentioned. For a lot of people, even if there was some form of severance package, that money won't last for ever. Unemployment benefits vary by State. It almost never comes close to what your pay was before "the change in circumstance."</p><p>The adage about how it is better to be employed and looking than to not be employed and looking still holds true. I'd like to think folks are compassionate these days, considering the number of extremely talented people who find themselves "available" when they did not plan on it - like some of you reading this. </p><p>Taking on a contract of 3 or 6 months might not be what you WANT to do. Still, it will bring money in - and give you a sense of purpose. You also have the sense of being able to provide for you and possibly your family. Loads of people have been talking about their "extra time" since March. I'm not one of those folks. I was busy before COVID - and have been even more busy since mid-March. </p><p>There are some good and bad points to working by contract. There are also some things to remember as you look for the next opportunity. These can help you be successful and thrive while doing contract work - because it is DIFFERENT than when you are an employee. </p><p>These differences are not all one way. Some are good. Some are less-good. I'll look at some of these in the next installment. </p><p><br /></p>Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-58542492515245957852020-08-15T17:59:00.000-04:002020-08-15T17:59:30.177-04:00Raising the Shire<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-4d2f18d8-7fff-9519-b54d-032cb0b6abce" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the final part of this story.</span><br />The First Part - </span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hobbit Software Testing- is</span><a href="http://bit.ly/2vFDiqJ" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. <br />The Second Part - </span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Shadow of the Past- is</span><a href="http://bit.ly/2VUxeWk" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Third Part -</span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Uruk-Hai - is</span><a href="http://bit.ly/33uaZbl" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. <br />The Fourth Part - </span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Bree -is</span><a href="https://bit.ly/3aqtBM4" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. <br />The Fifth Part - </span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Road to Rivendell - is</span><a href="https://bit.ly/2VKxPrS" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here.</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <br />The Sixth Part -</span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the Council of Elrond, Pt 1 - is </span><a href="https://bit.ly/2zhnMTn" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Seventh Part - </span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Fellowship is Formed - is <a href="https://bit.ly/2KB9Ciz">here</a>. <br />The Eighth Part,- </span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many Plans Made - is <a href="https://bit.ly/3ivPz4D" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />The Ninth Part - </span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Journey to the Shire -is <a href="https://bit.ly/3iO4S8l" target="_blank">here</a> .<br />This saga continues below.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <br /></span></span></div><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-3a94d28f-7fff-ae43-d6ad-e6b1f09c6d33" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the Golden Perch</span></span></span></b></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning, Elanor told the others she intended to stay another night as she expected the conversation and explanations to go most of the day. Besides, the Golden Perch still had the best beer in all the Eastfarthing. All of them agreed to this excellent idea as it was clear they would talk through the day and well into the night about what they had learned and discovered.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They had a good solid breakfast with eggs and potatoes and rashers of bacon and fresh made brown bread slathered in butter. They washed everything down with large mugs of piping hot tea and felt like they were really home in the Shire.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then other people began arriving. They sat down near the Travellers, but not too near. The innkeeper arranged a large board covered with paper and writing implements for Elanor and the Travellers to use. When the room was full and every seat taken, people still came in.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Travellers all looked at each other, a little intimidated. There were more people gathered in this room to talk with them and hear their experiences than they had ever seen before. Amy and Bell looked at each other drinking another mug of tea. Esmerelda nodded and smiled and looked at Elanor and said “Is it time to start this? Do you want to go first or one of us?”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elanor looked a little uncomfortable. “I’d better start. I think I know what I want to say. Can each of you be ready to jump in?” </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amy looked at her and laughed. “Of course we’ll jump in. Bell might trip and fall in, but we’ll jump in!” All four laughed. Amy never told jokes. This was unusual for her but set the tone for all of them.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elanor stood and looked at the room full of people. She took another mouthful of tea and began speaking.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You might remember a few months ago the four of us were looking for information and ideas around making and testing software. We’ve journeyed long and far and have some ideas now we think might help us. I think they might help us all.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We started looking for this because we were frustrated. We tried to do things the way we were told to do them. We listened to the experts and the consultants who came in to show us and our managers what we were supposed to do to make good software and do good testing. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We followed ‘the rules’ we were told to follow. There were still problems in production. Customers kept coming back reporting things not working right. When we went back to the experts to ask what we had done wrong, we were told we must have misunderstood something. Except we had the same understanding that the developers and designers did. Did all of us misunderstand the same things? </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We asked what we could do differently and we were told things like ‘work smarter, not harder’ which did not answer any of our questions or help with the problems we were finding. Our managers all said things like ‘There’s your answer! Work smarter!’ </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Except none of them ever could say HOW to work smarter!” </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elanor was now warming up. Indeed. She had gotten “hot” as her father Sam would say. She began pacing, and walking around the room. She looked at each person in the room as she spoke and drew each into her story.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The four of us do not work together. We don’t work for the same companies. We are friends whose parents were friends and we like each other and each other’s company. We began talking. Each of the companies we worked for, each of us got the same answers. All of us were having the same basic problems. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Our management all said the same things, except they could not really help us. They could not offer suggestions or solutions. They all went back to the ‘experts’ they brought in to make things better. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“They were all different experts! </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They said different things and used different methodologies and approaches! </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They all said the others would not work!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She paused and looked around the room. She realized she was shouting. Still, she had everyone’s rapt attention. Looks of recognition were spreading around the room. This sounded familiar to every person gathered there.” </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We began talking with others in software. Some of you here, were some of the folk we spoke with. Some said something like ‘Well, the experts told us we needed to try harder and make sure we did not misunderstand anything. They also said we must have misunderstood something because there were bugs in production.’” </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She stopped as she saw nods around the room. Then she smiled. She knew she was on to something.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’re all Hobbits here. We like knowing what things are supposed to be and how everyone will act. We like things to be predictable and comfortable. We all like the idea of a party with friends and we all like the singing of the kettle on the hearth for tea. We like the idea of seed cakes at tea and a fresh loaf of bread with mountains of butter. We like things to be predictable and easy to understand.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Except we could not understand why these things were happening. We could not understand why the ‘experts’ all had different methodologies to problems that looked much the same to each of us. We could not understand why the ‘experts’ all told us different things.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She stopped again. She looked at her friends, then looked around the room. Elanor walked back to her chair and said “That is where we began. Things were not right, but we did not know what and we did not know why.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With that, she sat down. The room was silent. Even the innkeeper and the wait-staff were silently waiting for what would happen next. As unusual as it seemed, this sounded to them like the beginning of a wonderful tale. To the other software folks in the room, this sounded very familiar.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bell stood up. She smiled at Elanor and Esmerelda, then to her sister, Amy she said “I’ll try and not trip.” As they others laughed, Bell looked around the room.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Elanor told you why we were looking for something different. We were looking for ideas we could use that would fix, or at least help, with problems all of us were having. So, I’ll tell you about the journey we took.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We met in Bywater and talked a few times. We decided that since the problems seemed consistent all through the Shire, we’d look for other ideas. We went to Bree, first.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At that, there was some murmuring. Hobbits visiting Bree was becoming more common, but nothing like what was done in the time of their grandparents and before.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She then told the story of visiting Bree and not finding any answers there. She told the story of the journey to Rivendell. At that, the Hobbits all seemed shocked. To go visit Elves seemed impossible for some in the room, and too much like an “adventure” for most. Hobbits still dislike the idea of an “adventure.” </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She told them of meeting the Elves and Dwarves and Humans there, but did not speak of the Council with Elrond. She said they met Elrond, Galadriel and Gandalf. She spoke of meeting famous folk their fathers knew, Gimli, Legolas and Faramir. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then she told a shortened version of the history Elrond gave at the Council and how the struggle against darkness and evil was not ended, even with the downfall of Sauron and Saruman. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“These are the things Elrond told us all. These are the things most of us were aware of, perhaps a little dimly, but these sounded familiar to us. We then spoke of what needed to be done.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She sat down. There was silence in the room. Folk looked around, but no one really stirred. No feet shuffled. No one murmured. They waited.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amy stood. “I’m not really used to speaking in front of groups. I don’t like it much even at work. My sister, Bell, told you of the journey we took. She told you who we met and of the history of how we arrived to this point. She did not tell all of the story. I can tell a little more.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“One evening when we were speaking with Gandalf, we learned something. First, we noticed Gandalf looked older. He had aged. This might not seem like much, but going back through all the stories of our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, Gandalf was always there. He always looked much the same. Sometimes he’d appear more careworn than others, but he never really changed.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That is not the case now. Gandalf has aged. He is getting older. We talked about that a little with him.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He told us that when the One Ring, the Master Ring of Sauron was destroyed, the other Rings lost most of their power. Much of the strength of magic was diminished. Now, the Rings that remain, the three Elven Rings, are more limited and have less power than they ever did. The strength of the wizards is also dwindling. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“All the wizards are aging, not only Gandalf. The White Council has served its purpose. Radagast and most of the other wizards have headed to the West, to the undying lands where the Elves travel to. Indeed, Gandalf went there with Elrond once. They returned to help set the change in motion that we are here to talk about.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Gandalf is now preparing to go West over the sea with the last of the wizards. I believe Elrond, Galadriel and all the rest of the famous Elves will travel with them this time and will not come back. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Their time has finally come to an end. They saw us through the struggles of the Third Age of Middle Earth and set this Fourth Age on as good a path as they could. They travelled to help us with what we went to seek.</span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“They helped us by giving information we needed and confirming what rumor had already reported. Now they are leaving again. They will not return.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She paused a moment and saw how every eye in the room was watching her. She looked at Elanor, who stood and began drawing on the paper behind her. One large circle in the center. Then off to one side, nine interlocked circles. Above the large circle, she drew three interlocked circles. Then she drew seven more circles, also interlocked. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amy went on. “By now you have all heard the rhyme about the Rings, yes?</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 42.24pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Three Rings for the Elven Kings under the sky,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Seven for the Dwarf-Lords in their halls of stone,</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 42.24pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nine for Mortal Men, doomed to die,</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 42.24pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One ring for the Dark Lord on his dark throne,</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 42.24pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the Land of Mordor, where the Shadows lie.</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 42.24pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One Ring to rule the all, One Ring to find them,</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 42.24pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them,</span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 42.24pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the Land of Mordor, where the Shadows lie.*</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are two things important about that. The first, is the One Ring had dominion over all the others. When that was destroyed, everything made, built or controlled by the others began their decay and decline. The Nazgul, the Ringwraiths who once were Human Men-kings and lords, were alive only through the power of the One. When that was destroyed, their Rings died and them with them. The Dwarven Rings were already destroyed or held by Sauron. Those were also destroyed then. The Elven Rings remain, but with only a shadow of their powers.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The elven Rings were not made by Sauron or ever touched by him. With his destruction, they also began to decline. But the strength in them was preserved somewhat by the powers of the Elven smiths who made them. We might call them “magic” except they would not describe it so.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There is another thing which is important. Vitally important to those of us who make or test software.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amy looked at Elanor, smiled and sat down. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elanor pointed at what she had drawn. In a clear, ringing voice, she said “These are all the ‘Rings of Power’ which were ever made. These are what we would call ‘Magic Rings.’ There are no other true, real, Rings of Power. None.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Those who claim to be the sole, final authority on software and testing, are not. They are either deceived into believing themselves, or they are themselves deceivers. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There are </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NO TESTING RINGS.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> There is no magical power that grants all knowledge. There is no source that gives all knowledge of all possibilities. There is no source that tells us everything there is to know about software and testing it. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Not even experience combined with study and scholarship can give any person such knowledge and ultimate mastery. Those who tell you there is? Or they know this is always true and that is not? Those who claim that authority? They are nothing more than Saruman was at the end! They talk smooth as silk and sweet as honey and draw you in by fair words until you are trapped. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There is no person who knows what is right and perfect for all teams, projects and organizations! There are none who have that </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">power</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Those who claim to know what is best are trying to sell you something. That is why no two of them agree!”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elanor was nearly glowing red. She looked around the room full of shocked and amazed Hobbits. She looked at her companions, all of whom were smiling at her and nodding. Then she sat down.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At that, every person in the room began speaking at once. In the pandemonium of the moment there was shouting and gesturing and much waving.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Esmerelda stood and walked to the center of the room. She was tall for a Hobbit. She looked around the room slowly. Silence seemed to radiate from her and all the voices dropped away.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She spoke quietly, forcing all to listen. “All of you recognize the truth in these words. All of you recognize a few simple facts. The ‘experts’ keep coming back and charging your companies more and more for ‘training’ in the ‘correct way’ to do things. And still, nothing really changes. The ‘experts’ tell us to use their terms because the others are confusing and misleading. No two sets of ‘experts’ agree with what terms are not confusing. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The next question is, what can we do about it? I think it is simple. If all that has been said makes sense and rings of truth to your ears, then believe it. We don’t need to change all of our terms to suit some outsider’s definition of what words mean. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If your company has a set of terms which everyone understands and agrees on, fine! Use them! If the practices which are being mandated work and no significant problems are found in production and customers do not complain, then GOOD! </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If the practices being mandated result in problems being found and customers complaining, how long will you wait before saying “This doesn’t work!” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The EXPERTS don’t have the rings to give them authority. There aren’t any. If they have one, they made it themselves - and their practices are as flawed as their ring-making! Turn them out! Send them packing as Saruman and his ruffians were sent packing! </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’re Hobbits! We don’t like change! We like being forced to do things that don’t help others even more! SO CHANGE!</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Our fathers returned from their journey with Frodo Baggins and turned out the ruffians then. We can do the same now! As before, we have been so comfortable, so not willing to change because it might upset things that we have failed to see that things are being upset a little at a time all around us. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And because we don’t like upsetting things, we have not said anything for far too long!”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now her voice rang out. The face of everyone who heard her shone with a light they had not experienced and could not explain. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I say ENOUGH! We are simple folk but not stupid! We know what works and does not work! We don’t need people to profit from our struggles and problems by illusions and falsehoods. ENOUGH!”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Someone in the back of the room shouted “YES! ENOUGH! You’re right!” They began cheering. Cheering wildly. The other three Travellers stood and joined her in the middle of the room. Then everyone was standing and cheering. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Esmerelda stood on a chair and held up her hands. The cheering and yelling died down. She said “I am Esmerelda Took, the daughter of Peregrin Took. These are Amy and Bell Brandybuck, daughters of Meriadoc Brandybuck. This is Elanor Gamgee. She is the daughter of Samwise Gamgee, companion to Frodo Baggins. She is also our leader and the one who inspires us to be better.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cheering and applause was thunderous, which is something for Hobbits who normally are quite restrained.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elanor stood on a chair and held up her hands. When they were quiet, she spoke.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“All of you know the problems found. All of you can study techniques in testing and test design. We can help you with what we have learned. Our lessons might not help you in every instance. But they can help you think about things and learn from them. They can help you learn from each other. They can help all of us be better at what we do.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With that, she got down from the chair she stood on. The people gathered all talked excitedly about the chance to learn things they could apply as needed, not as they were forced to do. They were excited to find solutions that fit their problems, not ones that solved someone’s problems 20 years ago.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They knew they could be free to find their own path forward.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">==</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Raise the Shire! Now! Wake all our People!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shire-folk have been comfortable so long they don’t know what to do.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They just want a match, though, and they’ll go up in fire</span>.**</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">==</span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-3dd47245-7fff-5599-d889-bb0d6d72c61c" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">JRR Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, ©JRR Tolkien, 1954, renewed 1982, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, Boston, 2014, p. 49</span> </span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">** </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-58154ca7-7fff-7eeb-47ca-ff968ee748d5" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">JRR Tolkien, The Return of the King, ©JRR Tolkien, 1954, renewed 1982, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, Boston, 2014, p 983</span> </span></span></span></p>Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-876780305800202642020-08-15T13:44:00.000-04:002020-08-15T13:44:59.476-04:00Journey to the Shire<p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-4d2f18d8-7fff-9519-b54d-032cb0b6abce" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the ninth part of the story which began</span><a href="http://bit.ly/2vFDiqJ" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The second is</span><a href="http://bit.ly/2VUxeWk" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The third is</span><a href="http://bit.ly/33uaZbl" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The fourth is</span><a href="https://bit.ly/3aqtBM4" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The fifth is</span><a href="https://bit.ly/2VKxPrS" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here.</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The sixth is </span><a href="https://bit.ly/2zhnMTn" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The seventh is <a href="https://bit.ly/2KB9Ciz">here</a>. The eighth is <a href="https://bit.ly/3ivPz4D" target="_blank">here</a>. This saga continues below.</span></span></span></div><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-d75711e6-7fff-dda6-b7e1-cbeedd4e63a9" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Journey to the Shire</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Travellers awoke before dawn to find Gandalf sitting quietly by the embers of the night’s fire. He was smoking his pipe, as he had been when they went to sleep.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Good morning!” He said. “It looks to be a beautiful day. Perfect for walking! I believe we should reach Bree today, probably in time for supper!” </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They had a light breakfast and started on the road as quickly as they could. Try as they might, they could not get Esmerelda to say anything more about what she said before going to bed. Instead, Gandalf told stories from long ago, from before he met Bilbo Baggins and the Old Took. Mostly they were about his journeys through this same area and how reaching Bree always seemed to be a treat. The Hobbits listened intently as he spoke. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His stories were always happy and cheerful. They made the Travellers laugh. The stories shortened the road so before they knew it, Bree was close at hand.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They arrived at the Prancing Pony uneventfully, although many Breelanders started to see Gandalf, let alone four young Hobbits coming from the East. They stayed in the same rooms Frodo and his companions stayed in so many years before. Barliman Butterbur was still the same as he had been for years, only a bit older it seemed. He greeted them warmly and encouraged them to enjoy the common room, where travelers and residents of Bree mingled.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many remembered their visit some time before, when they headed out in search of information and ideas on testing. They spoke with them on this. Elanor was polite, but evaded their questions, replying only that they had talked with many wise people and had many ideas to consider. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She said they needed to think about and discuss how they could apply them. The others all agreed and said they needed to think carefully. They were glad they had made the journey and had learned much. Now they needed to see what would work for Hobbits in the Shire.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These answers all resulted in the Bree-folk’s heads shaking and chins wagging. “No good can come of upsetting the right, proper order of things.” A few, however, looked thoughtful.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gandalf left the Hobbits to entertain questions. He had a mug of beer sitting in a dark-ish corner where he could see the room and listen to all the goings-on without being in their way or the center of attention. Mr Butterbur kept an eye on him, making sure he did not go without.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mr Gandalf,” he said at one point. “Have you seen Strider, I mean, the King?” Gandalf smiled, almost laughed. “I have not seen our mutual friend in some time. He has been very busy, you know. I did see some of our other friends who knew I was coming this way. They send greetings. I also asked them to remember both of us to Aragorn when they saw him again. I think you may see some elves come through as well before too long. Elves usually prefer wine but your beer is uncommonly good. They may want that instead.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Funny you should mention beer, Mr Gandalf,” Butterbur replied. “It has been uncommon good for some years now. I don’t understand but I’m not one to turn a gift like that away. I’ll make sure to keep plenty of beer and ale in the cellar. Thanks for the warning.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Barli. You should know I’m likely not to be by again. It is time for me to head West for the last time. You’ve been a good, honest fellow and I’m glad I could see you and enjoy your inn, one more time. Better times are coming. Not just because the King is making things better. Young folk like these four are working very hard to set the world to rights and make it better than it has been for ages.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It has been worse than it is, by a long distance,” said Butterbur. “It has been better of late, of course. If they can make things better still, I’d be happier still.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With that, he left to attend other customers. Gandalf finished his beer and quietly slipped out for his room. The four Travellers remained for some time. There was no rush and no need to worry. They were nearly home.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning dawned bright and clear. The Travellers met Gandalf for breakfast where they talked excitedly. Butterbur had agreed to lend them ponies who would be returned after they reached their homes, in memory of the ponies he received from Meriadoc Brandybuck, by way of Tom Bombadill, long before. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They left Bree and headed toward home. When they had gone a few miles, Gandalf said it was time for him to leave them. He wanted to see Tom Bombadill and they were close to his lands. After many words and cheerful encouragement, Gandalf left them, waving before they were out of sight.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They made good time as they rode, talking of all that had happened on this journey. Abby called it a quest. This made them laugh and make jokes that it was anything but a quest. They simply wanted to do good work and wanted to know how to be better than they were.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As they approached the Shire, Elanor said they had gone to learn about testing and how they could do the kind of testing they all knew could be done. “It is simple, you see. We have known all along what the problems are. Everyone knows, if they can admit it to themselves. Most won’t. They are afraid of what that might mean. But I think we have the answer.”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They crossed the Brandywine Bridge and passed through the Gate where they made straight for the Golden Perch in Stock. It was the nearest inn to the Brandywine as the Bridge Inn was still not yet rebuilt. They got rooms for the night and had a quiet supper of good, solid Hobbit fare.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As they sat in the common room talking amongst themselves, they realized the room was nearly full. This was no remarkable thing. Except it was mostly other folk who worked in software. They were watching the four Travellers intently. As they looked around them, the Travellers fell silent and realized nearly everyone there had been listening to their conversation. There were no secrets being told but they found it a little unsettling. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, someone said “You four came through asking about software and testing and how to do things better some time ago. Then you said you were going to Bree to see if folk there had any ideas. Can you tell us what you found out?”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a murmur of agreement from around the room. The Travellers looked at each other.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then Elanor spoke. “What would you know? We have met with many people and traveled beyond Bree to learn and find answers. What would you like to hear? The adventures of the road? The people we met with? What we have learned? The telling of any of these things will take a long time and we are weary from the road.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We want to know everything!” they cried. “We did not want to admit it before but things don’t always make sense! We are told to test for “acceptance criteria” except those keep changing. We are told to test for the requirements being met but no one seems to agree on what that means. Our companies bring in experts who tell us everything we do is wrong, and we can’t figure out what the right way is! None of them agree and all of them say the others are wrong! Can you help us?”</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elanor looked at them all. She heard the familiar pain she had wrestled with. She smiled as she recalled some of these same people telling her to not worry about things so much. She looked at her friends. They all nodded.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So she stood and said “We are weary from the road. We want to share what we have found. Meet us here tomorrow after breakfast and we will talk then.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Travellers then stood and followed her to their rooms, where they fell asleep quickly and spent the night undisturbed by anyone except their own thoughts.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><br />Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-72386090449772705182020-08-08T16:55:00.001-04:002020-08-08T16:55:18.281-04:00Good Testing When the Audience Calls for Jaja Ding Dong<p> Sat down for a night a silly entertainment a little while ago. Found myself watching the movie "Eurovision Song Contest: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest:_The_Story_of_Fire_Saga" target="_blank">The Story of FireSaga</a>." Yup, That is the name of the movie. OK, ignore the critics. It is silly. High-brow? This ain't it. (Will Ferrel produced and stars in it. That should tell you about the type of humor in it.) </p><p>To Start, for Americans who have never heard of it, Eurovision is a huge, big deal. In Europe. Each year there are these amazing groups who compete for the honor of representing their country as the national representative at this massive contest. There are fantastic bands playing each year. Sometimes the "bumper" entertainers get loads of attention (Riverdance became a "thing" as a result of one of these performances.)</p><p>Like musicians everywhere, I could relate to the dilemma facing Will Ferrel's character early on, and at the end of the film. Each band has stuff they are pretty much expected to play at bars, clubs, concerts, festivals. Whatever. Then there is the stuff they really LIKE to play. The stuff that allows them to shine and show what they are capable of as musicians and as performers.</p><p>We ALL want to play the stuff that we like. We want to play the stuff that shows off our talents and leave people in awe. The only problem is, the audience wants us to play the stuff that is, well, not very good. It is not good musically or in any other way. Except, it has a beat and a simple, catchy tag line.</p><p>For the fictional band Fire Saga, that song is "Jaja Ding Dong." It is as lame as a song can be. Except it has a simple, obvious tagline that people drinking in a bar can sing along with. Sometimes that is about all you can ask for.</p><p><span style="color: red;"><b>On Stage</b></span></p><p>I spent a lot of years playing in bands in bars and beer tents where people were there not for the amazing music we played, but to have fun. I absolutely promise that the stuff they found "fun" paid for the night. It also kept them coming back.</p><p>This allowed us to experiment and play the music we wanted to play. It allowed us to experiment and tweak it in front of humans who likely would not care. When we had their attention with what we WANTED to play, then we knew we had something that would work anywhere.</p><p>If we could not get something to "work" after several tweaks and modifications over a bunch of performances in bars and the like, then that piece was retired. We could use it somewhere, just not there. It stopped being fun for us because it became massive amounts of work. No matter how "good" it was, it wasn't good enough and likely would never be.</p><p>The goal was to get enough of what WE wanted to play to the point where audiences wanted to hear it. If you could get the 100 or so folks in a bar to listen, then get several hundred in a beer tent to listen. THEN you could get a couple thousand at a festival to listen. And when you play it at a concert venue, the response will be tumultuous. You have something they really want when not long ago they thought they wanted something very different.</p><p>Here's the trick. If you REFUSE to play the stuff they want to hear early on, you will never have the change to play the stuff you want to play. Ever. You won't book that venue again. You likely won't get booked anywhere else again because the owners and operators and reps know each other and will talk.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: red;"><b>Testing</b></span></p><p>What does this have to do with testing software?</p><p>When you come in as the "new" person to an organization, remember that they often have their own way of doing things. Walking in and telling them they are doing everything "wrong" and you simply refuse to do it that way and you are the only one there who "knows how to test" is likely not going to get you very much.</p><p>Even if you are being brought in for some version of a "leadership" position, walking in and telling them to "change everything" is likely going to do more harm than good. Try joining them. See precisely how people are working. Work with them, side by side, as a partner.</p><p>That way, you are demonstrating you can do the "testing" that is expected. You can then try other ideas that are similar, but not exactly the same. If these ideas show an improvement in results and still meet or exceed all the control metrics in place, you might be able to tweak them a little. By small changes, you might be able to show more improvements.</p><p>In time, you can do the kind of testing you want to do and provide the value the organization needs. If you are patient you might just find yourself helping others do testing that way. That "new" way. </p><p>Then the people demanding you do things their way, once upon a time, will want you to do it this "new" way. Except it likely won't be a new way then. It will be a better way. Then, they might just want everyone to try testing that way.</p><p>Then, when someone wants you to do testing like "Jaja Ding Dong" everyone else will laugh at them.<br /></p>Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-89490625565643892212020-07-03T15:04:00.001-04:002020-07-03T15:04:36.181-04:00Many Plans Made<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-e2febac4-7fff-6c3f-8efa-8a6e95a312e5" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-4d2f18d8-7fff-9519-b54d-032cb0b6abce" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the eighth part of the story which began</span><a href="http://bit.ly/2vFDiqJ" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The second is</span><a href="http://bit.ly/2VUxeWk" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The third is</span><a href="http://bit.ly/33uaZbl" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The fourth is</span><a href="https://bit.ly/3aqtBM4" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The fifth is</span><a href="https://bit.ly/2VKxPrS" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here.</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The sixth is </span><a href="https://bit.ly/2zhnMTn" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The seventh is <a href="https://bit.ly/2KB9Ciz">here</a>. This saga continues below.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Many Plans Made</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Four Travellers had a subdued dinner and an evening talking quietly in the gardens of Rivendell. They were daunted by the task before them. No one more than Eleanor, who had taken it up. </span></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ever after, she said she could not say why she needed to take this on and what motivated her to stand up and speak. She would simply say it seemed the right, and only thing to do.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her friends felt her pain and knew the struggle within her. They felt their own struggle as well.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How do you go about and change how everything is done? How do you make something happen that likely has never existed before, from something that likely never been imagined and possibly does not exist, except as an idea.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They wrestled with these ideas all the next day. The wise people they met in Rivendell, elves, humans and dwarves, all spoke with them. All spoke on how they thought they would take up the challenge as Eleanor had.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">None of the ideas these others came up with seemed to help them. “This is all well and good for Elves and Dwarves, but we’re hobbits! We’re sensible folk who do not like having things upset. These other folk go from one changing thing to another. We don’t! We like things to be the same today as they were last week. We like knowing that tomorrow will be much the same as yesterday. How will we do this?”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They spent what seemed to be days in this debate. One evening Gandalf joined their discussions. They were glad for his company. He was wise beyond measure. He had aided their fathers, mothers, and great grandfathers and back beyond their reckoning. Now, finally, he appeared to be aged.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He had been old before, but seemed ageless. Now, he seemed to be really old. They asked him why this might be. He laughed.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The Rings are gone. When the One Ring was destroyed by Frodo and Samwise, the other Rings all lost their power. With them also went a great deal of the power of Magic in the world. Most would not know that. All the Wizards do.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our time is over here. I came to help see you on your way. There is little I can tell you I have not already said. The same words I said to your father and his companions still apply.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You have grown. You are wise enough now to choose and make your own paths. I am glad I could see this before I return to the West, for the last time. You have proven the trust I had in Hobbits all those years ago. You do not need me or anyone to tell you your way now.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With that, he lit his pipe and smiled. “I shall need to remember to bring as much Southfarthing leaf as I can bring before I go. I shall miss this otherwise.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The four looked in wonder, amazed. Then Eleanor spoke.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t feel wise. I don’t feel at all like Frodo Baggins or my mother or father. They are wise. I don’t think I am at all.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They all said she was wise, very wise in fact. More wise than any of them or most people they knew. She argued that she was not wise, certainly not as wise as they thought she was. If she was really that wise, she would not be in such a state, a dilemma over what to do.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She sat and looked into the fire in the brazier next to where she was sitting. She quietly held her cup of wine while her eyes took on a far away look.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I think part of the problem is the experts who came in with changes and improvements talked to everyone as if they had all the answers to all the problems. They used words and terms people did not understand. They tended to talk down to people when they said they did not understand what those terms meant. They rather insulted people for not using the right words.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Those same people were the ones who would need to make the changes a reality. Their bosses and managers were the ones who were demanding consistent language and terms they understood. These were the terms the experts said were wrong, did not mean what they thought and insisted they be abandoned without a strong understanding of what their new terms meant and how to get management and managers to accept them.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The problem is, I think, our managers and these experts are invoking the power of the Lord of the Testing Rings as their source of authority. Both can’t be right. Both can’t represent the authority of the Lord of the Testing Rings, can they?”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She blinked. She looked at each in turn until her eyes met Gandalf’s. Then they opened wide in shock and understanding.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Gandalf! You said when the One Ring was destroyed, all the other Rings lost their power. If that is the case, then there is NO authority anyone can claim as being the single, right authority for testing. Is there?”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gandalf looked at her with a twinkle in his eye. He began laughing and the laughter carried all around them and brought them all into it.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“My dear Hobbit. That is precisely correct. They are invoking an authority that has no relevance now. I’m not certain it ever had any relevance except to those who would see the world ordered precisely as they would wish it. If it had any relevance it was in the effort to control everyone. How they work, how they think and what they do. That is nothing more than a small, weak mirror of Sauron’s desire.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then Eleanor said, “I think I understand now what must be done. I think we should get ready to head home to the Shire as soon as we can. If we spend tomorrow getting ready and making our farewells, we can leave the day after. The Road should not be too hard this time, afterall, we know where we are going.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She sent word to Elrond of the decision. She, and all of them, appreciated his hospitality and counsel. They had arrived at a decision on how to apply that counsel.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next day, the Travellers filled their packs. The Elves gave them generous supplies of food, including their waybread, which would help speed them until they arrived at Bree. If they carried plenty of food and water, they would not need to spend time hunting for food and could move more confidently. The packs would be heavy to start, but would lighten quickly as they travelled.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They also had notebooks and references, transcribed and saved so they could be packed easily with little weight to them. When all was made ready, they joined a farewell banquet given for them. It was then Gandalf said he would like to travel with them as far as Bree.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“As you no longer need my counsel, or protection on the Road now that the King has restored order and peace, I’d simply like to travel with you on this part of your journey. I’ve a mind to see old Barliman one more time at the Prancing Pony. I always liked that inn.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Travellers were extremely happy. They had heard tales of Gandalf travelling with Samwise, Frodo, Peregrin and Meriadoc. Now they would have him with them for a journey as well, even if only for a short time.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning dawned fair and bright. Not too warm, no chill in the air. It was a perfect day for walking and talking and singing songs to make the road short as it is said.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Several days into the journey, as they were approaching Bree, Gandalf told them stories about the days when he first met their parents, and “uncle” Frodo. He told them how silly Peregrin and Meriadoc seemed. Esmeralda Took, daughter of Peregrin and Bell and Amaranth Brandybuck, daughters of Meriadoc, the companions of Eleanor, laughed. They always seemed so wise to them.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Good heavens! They were among the most foolish Hobbits I’d ever met! And that is saying something. But they were all in their tweens at the time so had not really been expected to be serious. The journey with the original Fellowship forced them to grow. And grow quickly.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“But Gandalf! None of us have 'come of age' at 33 yet! We’re all in our tweens as well!” said Bell.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Of course you are Bell! Remember many people, men in particular, don’t think much of women, unless they excel. People fail to notice the accomplishments of most women I find, particularly younger women.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All of the Travellers cried out in protest. Esmeralda was furious. “Gandalf! That is ridiculous! Why is this? Why do we need to work harder and show more success than other hobbits our age with the same experience? Why is this?”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gandalf looked very sad for a moment. “The reasons for that are many. Most are hidden from the Wise. I think, and this is only a guess on my part, the cause lies deep in the nature of most living things. Hobbits tend to be more willing to be open to other Hobbits. Dwarves the same with Dwarves. Humans tend to trust no one but other humans who look, generally, like them.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“If I needed to give you a single reason, I think that might be the closest I could give. In this we see another reflection of the power of Sauron. He is gone but his influence remains. Many Hobbits have gotten so comfortable in their lives over the many, many years, that things which upset the “natural order of things” are looked at with great scrutiny. I believe this is part of that. People in software have gotten used to not seeing many women in strong technical roles. Many have convinced themselves it is because women are not capable of doing that work. Nonsense of course. Still, it reflects what the world has become.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bell huffed, much as her father used to. “Gandalf, this is a ridiculous reason. The four of us are smart and hard working and understand problems better than most others we know, including those older with more experience! Why should we need to prove ourselves over and over?”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amaranth, called Amy by her friends, very quietly said, “This needs to change. It needs to change NOW. It has gone on far too long. So many have gotten used to it that it became normal. It is not normal. It is wrong. But who can change this?”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gandalf made no reply.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After going some way, they stopped for the night and made their camp. A fire was built and they prepared a meal from the food the Elves had given them. The Hobbits talked amongst themselves. They returned to the talk from the road. They repeated the points and concerns. Gandalf lit his pipe and sat silently.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When all fell silent and everyone was looking at the fire, Eleanor quietly spoke.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We went looking for answers about testing and making software. We found ourselves in Rivendell talking with many important and great people. We found answers and are searching for how to apply them. And now we have more questions and problems to solve.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Gandalf said both sets of problems were part of the influence of Sauron. He is gone, but his evil lingers on in some small ways. Except for us, they are not small. They are big.”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gandalf looked at her with a strong intensity. She saw something in his eyes. She was not sure if he was sad or happy. Perhaps a mixture, a little of both.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Esmeralda looked at Gandalf for a moment then at each of the Travellers. “I know who will change this behavior and attitude. I know who will change all the problems we have been talking about. I know who will upset the apple cart of the people who want to be experts and in charge and control things. I think I know why they tolerate the behavior and attitudes toward people like us in software. I know who will change all of this.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We will.” She said. “But not tonight. We must sleep now if we are to reach Bree tomorrow and the Shire the day after.” With that, she opened her bedroll and went to sleep.</span></span></span></div>
Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-2504053372428632122020-05-27T09:01:00.001-04:002020-05-27T09:01:31.474-04:00Agile: Walls Dysfunction & PeopleA comment made at the recent GRTesters meetup meeting left me with a hard choice. I could jump on that and lead us further down a rabbit hole we were already in, and well off the topic of the evening, or I could make a note to myself and revisit my thoughts later.<br />
<br />
This is "later."<br />
<br />
We were discussing team dynamics in a macro sense - how teams function, the interactions between team members, how they interacted with other teams and the like. Specifically, we were looking, briefly, at the difference in relationship between software testing specialists who were embedded with development & delivery teams and who were in external teams.<br />
<br />
The apparently "classic" case of "OK, our code is done, now we give it to the test team."<br />
<br />
The problem is, by pulling testing specialists farther away from collaboration with the people specializing in creating and writing the production facing code, the testing specialists become "others" - not part of the actual development team.<br />
<br />
The idea of pulling people into a team and having them work together is great. If you allow for teams to build trust and get to work together.<br />
<br />
So there we were, talking about teams and silos and how divisions between teams can lead to huge dysfunction for the organization. Then one person said, "I've seen these kinds of problems everywhere. But if you really want to see huge problems with silos and Us vs Them, look at how most companies do 'Agile.' Teams don't cooperate with each other. Teams don't help each other. Teams barely talk to each other."<br />
<br />
Most of us stopped and blinked. I had some thoughts on that, particularly as he had just described what I had seen at many organizations.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>To Begin</b></span><br />
<br />
First, some considerations on Scrum and Agile.<br />
<br />
While there are certainly proponents of both who will be happy to tell you that delivery will be faster and quality will be better, I am not certain these are universal guarantees. I know this flies in the face of the statements and pitches made by sales people of "Agile" and Scrum and various certification programs.<br />
<br />
What I tell people, much to the chagrin of certain "leaders" is that Scrum will almost certainly identify problem areas very quickly.<br />
<br />
You will get very fast "returns." These returns may not be what you expected.<br />
<br />
For example, if you have an organization with many development teams. Randomly relabeling them as "Scrum Teams" is rather counter to the point of Scrum, and certainly counter tothe Agile Manifesto itself.<br />
<br />
Then, targeting a poorly functioning team as the Proof of Concept group, as many organizations do I have seen, might not give the shining results hoped for.<br />
<br />
A team that is troubled in delivery, with low quality product, might not be the ideal group to "demonstrate" the benefits of "Agile." Likely it will be a trainwreck. This trainwreck, as happened with early steam trains, can put people in other teams and other parts of the organization completely off the "new" concept.<br />
<br />
The problems are not in Agile or Scrum - or any other method or framework associated with Agile. The problems exist in themselves. Using a team with problems as the prototype simply highlights the problems the team already has.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b> Did "Agile" Cause This?</b></span><br />
<br />
No. Not at all.<br />
<br />
The "transition" to Agile - any type, form or flavor - simply exposed this issue. The problems existed. People working with the team, oftentimes people ON the team, are fully aware of the problems.<br />
<br />
The team lead or manager might be aware. They may be working to make it better. They might be trying to address the problem.However, if the issue is chronic and sustained, there is a strong likelihood they will not improve things.<br />
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
The largest single problem in any organization is not the technology. It is not the tech stack. It is not the language used for development or testing. It is not the development models and methodologies in use.<br />
<br />
The largest single problem, is People.<br />
<br />
Gerry Weinberg wrote (and said) "<span class="st">No matter how it looks at first, it's always a people problem."<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Find that in Secrets of Consulting, 1985.)</span></span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">What does that have to do with this situation? Loads.</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">The team lead or manager might BE the problem. OR, there might be a person (or two) who are engaging in damaging, if not destructive, behavior.</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b><span class="st">The Problem?</span></b></span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">There are loads of other possibilities. The issue might not be with people on the team. If people on other teams have "issues" with people on the troubles team, a wee bit of animosity can go a long way. This can point to broader issues within the organization.</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">My favorite issue, still a "people problem" is Byzantine processes and methodologies around software. Everything from multiple levels of approvals before software can be moved from one environment to another to mandated control measures to "protect" the production environment.</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">The less clear the process to be followed, the greater the odds of dysfunction. </span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">These exist whether the organization is "Agile" or not. A mandated decision to "do Agile" might just make these problems more obvious - the light can be shown on them and make them clear.</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b><span class="st">The Response? </span></b></span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">This varies. Often times we see this as a "Fragile" implementation. People (that word again) focus on the forms, ceremonies and rituals around Agile and not on the purpose.</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">Many, many organizations ignore the Principles behind the Agile Manifesto and focus only on these rituals. The problems are not addressed. The challenges remain.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="st">Except, now they get blamed on "Agile." </span>Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-45270129921748701592020-04-27T18:22:00.000-04:002020-04-27T19:21:01.305-04:00The Fellowship is Formed<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-4d2f18d8-7fff-9519-b54d-032cb0b6abce" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the seventh part of the story which began</span><a href="http://bit.ly/2vFDiqJ" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The second is</span><a href="http://bit.ly/2VUxeWk" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The third is</span><a href="http://bit.ly/33uaZbl" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The fourth is</span><a href="https://bit.ly/3aqtBM4" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The fifth is</span><a href="https://bit.ly/2VKxPrS" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here.</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The sixth is </span><a href="https://bit.ly/2zhnMTn" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This saga continues below.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great.*</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gandalf was silent. The Four Travelers shuffled their feet and looked around the room as if they were looking for an escape from his gaze. There was none. They felt like he was testing everyone in the room, but them in particular.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then one noticed Galadriel was sitting quietly, next to Elrond. She looked at them and smiled a gentle smile, as if to reassure all of them that things would work out. She relaxed immediately.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was then Gandalf spoke.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Elrond has spoken of the past, the distant past some might say, of how electronic computers and software came to this point. Faramier, Gimly and Legolas have spoken with words of warning in their hearts. You yourselves, all of you, have seen the growing trends of late. The changes in wind and water. The unsettled energy all around us.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Most of you here have been witness to great shifts though you may not have recognized them as such. The shift toward a regulated and controlled method of creating software has been subtle. Even among those who call out for more “flexibility” they are implementing greater controls than existed before.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The idea of teams being ‘self-organizing’ is a threat to some organizations. They demand strict compliance. They demand fierce loyalty and they expect each worker to reject anything other than what they are told to do. Because the “Company” knows best.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We have heard these things before. The slave of Sauron and Saurumann spoke ever thus. The Haradrim or Southrons spoke thus. Though we defeated Sarumann and Sauron, we did not defeat all of the evil they drew upon and fed. There is still darkness here. Our challenge is to be diligent in searching it out, identifying it and destroying it.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The proud and fell Easterlings are still present. The Haradim still live. They reach out and corrupt ideas by twisting words to fit their purpose. Beware of them! Beware of the words spoken as reasonable people speak that run counter to what others might say.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Beware those who belittle and demean others because they have different ideas. They will insist those ideas are false and must be overturned. They will speak from emotion rather than fact and truth. Remember, to the crooked eye, truth can wear a wry face.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Their words will be comforting, as were Sarumann’s words. They will seem reasonable and draw you in to wish to appear reasonable as well. This is their trap.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Beware those who tell you you speak wrongly or ill. They will find ways to undermine your heart and spirit. They will tear down how you communicate with others and insist their words are the only true words. If you question them you will face their wrath.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You fear them. But you do not fear them enough. They can bend and twist your words around you then deny they are doing it. When they finish, you will be worn down and vulnerable. Then no one will understand your words when you speak.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“When you explain your new truth, you will become the outside to them. You will become the outlander who threatens all.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Make no mistake, you will threaten them. You will threaten the ones who dwell in comfort and accept their lot. You will threaten their masters who hold them in thrall. You will threaten the order imposed from above. You will threaten their models and justifications. You will threaten all that they have built up, which others see as strong and powerful and ‘right’.”</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gandalf stopped and looked directly at the Four Travelers. Then he continued.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This challenge is nothing more than the challenge taken on themselves by Meriadic Brandybuck, Perigrin Took, Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins. They journeyed with great purpose, with people in this very room, to do a great task. They accomplished it. It was only on their return home they realised their hardship, suffering, challenges and loss prepared them for the great task no one could ask them to do.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“They arrived home and found it disordered and disturbed. Violence was present in ways it had never been before. The very values that were cherished by everyone in the Shire had been upended and tossed away.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No person told them they must do this thing. They told themselves they must do this thing. Everything they had seen and done prepared them for the doing.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then, looking around the room, Gandalf said “You four from the Shire, and all others here who would see a better world have the same challenge. Find a way to make your world better, or accept all as it is and be still. No wizards can aid you. No elves or dwarves can help you. Our time is past.”</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With that he sat down. The room was silent. The Travelers looked at each other. They looked around the room. Most people in the room were looking lost, deep in thought. Some were frightened by Gandalf’s words.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then Galadriel spoke.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“All of you, heed the words of Gandalf, Elrond and the others who have spoken. I have words for you as well. Gandalf gives words of warning. Words to help you avoid traps and snares that will capture the unwary. These traps are not of the sort that you might think. But they are present nonetheless. Remember how comforting things seemed at first, the words and instructions you were given? Remember the result of following them? Remember what advice was given by those who advocated, then pushed, then demanded they be followed?</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We elves can see some outcomes. We do not know which actions lead to which outcomes. Our power is fading. Now is the time for those who believe they have no power to discover theirs. Now is the time for each of you, all of you, to consider in your hearts what it is you would have done and what kind of world you, your colleagues and your children will live in, work in and grow in.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Many long lives of Men we have lived here in Rivendell. Many things have we seen start well then fade. Many things have blossomed unexpectedly and grown and flourished, when nothing was anticipated. This decision is on each and every one of you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then she sat and looked to the center of the room and said no more.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For a long time no one spoke. Most looked down at the floor in front of them. Some were deep in thought. Even Gandalf and Elrond look uneasy. A stirring began inside one of the Four Travelers. She looked up. First at her companions then around the room. She felt herself rise silently. Everyone looked to her.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I will take these words and ideas and warnings. I will go back to The Shire and spread them as my father spread the soil from your garden you gave him long ago, great lady. I do not know what shall happen. I do not know what will come of it. But I will go and I will try.”</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then she sat down. Her companions looked amazed at her. She herself looked amazed the words came from her.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gandalf looked on her with a soft smile, as if remembering deeds long past. Elrond looked at her with great pity. Then Elrond said, “Once, long ago by your reckoning, I told your father’s companion that no one could place the burden he was taking on him. No one could order him to take up his great task. Indeed, your father was hiding in that dark corner of this very chamber, behind that very plant.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The young woman looked where Elrond indicated, and was amazed. She had heard the tale but had not quite believed it. Then Elrond spoke again.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No one can place this burden on you either, Eleanor Gamgee. If you take it up of your own free will, then so be it. This is a task that will bring hard labor and likely hard words. Your Father, Samwise and your mother Rose, have prepared you as best they can for any challenge. Choose companions who would do well and who can help and support you.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“As I said all those years ago, again, this is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great. You have greatness in you. Use that greatness for good to overcome the greatness which is aiding ill.”</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With that, Eleanor smiled. Her companions stood and embraced her. One by one, they pledged to work to make testing and all software creation better. Not with threats and intimidation and whips and cruelty. But with wisdom and compassion.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wisdom and mercy in their proper measures, with determination and a will to succeed will do more than threats and fear ever could.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The others in the room looked at each other and nodded. Many murmured assent. All pledged to take up the challenge in the path shown by Eleanor, daughter of Rose and Samwise, and return to their homes with the same task.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-39059c35-7fff-094b-5363-405382c29bbb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JRR Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, ©JRR Tolkien, 1954, renewed 1982, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, Boston, 2014, p. 264</span> </span></span></span></div>
Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-51981269160042048092020-04-22T10:38:00.003-04:002020-04-27T18:27:27.235-04:00At the Council of Elrond<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the sixth part of the story which began <a href="http://bit.ly/2vFDiqJ" target="_blank">here</a>. The second is <a href="http://bit.ly/2VUxeWk" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></i><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The third is <a href="http://bit.ly/33uaZbl" target="_blank">here</a>. The fourth is <a href="https://bit.ly/3aqtBM4" target="_blank">here</a>. The fifth is <a href="https://bit.ly/2VKxPrS">here.</a> </span></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This saga continues below.</span></span></i></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Rivendell</span></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a few hours walking they came to a beautiful city in a valley more lovely than any they had ever heard of or seen. The elf, Erestor brought them to a massive gate which opened at his approach. They found themselves entering a great hall. Seated at one end was two tall, noble elves. One was Elrond. The other was Galadriel, of whom so many songs were sung.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They were made welcome and told the next morning there would be a council that would be of interest to them and their quest. Until then, they could refresh themselves and wash away the dirt and weariness of travel. A feast was being made ready for that evening where they would meet others and make merry as they saw fit. So, they joined in, celebrating with wine or the heady mead the elves liked to drink. A few dwarves were drinking heavy ales and a couple of the travelers switched to that, <span style="font-family: inherit;">being their preference. A very few other humans were there as well.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-fd6a4f21-7fff-bdec-edbb-8197cf27cbca" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning the travelers were awoken by a tall man in their room, even though they locked the door the night before. He was wearing white robes with a white hat and long flowing beard. He carried a long staff and appeared to have a sword hanging from his belt.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Wake up, foolish testers! Wake up! You barely have time to wash your faces and get dressed and get to the Council Chamber. The bell has already rung for people to attend. You have come this far, now move! Quickly!”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Without another word he left. They looked around and realized their clothing had been washed and folded. They jumped up, washed their faces in the basins provided and threw on their clean clothes. They grabbed a bun and a piece of fruit each that had been laid out for them and walked quickly down the hallway.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following the sound of voices, they found a large chamber where a multitude of people sat in a large circle, taking up most of the room. They find four empty seats waiting for them and sit down. Looking around the room they saw a variety of elves and dwarves, human men and women. Some were dressed richly, some as if coming from long travel. Some openly carried swords or large axes. Some were wearing chainmail, and some were wearing silk.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elrond stood and looked around the room. “Well met,” he began. “The Purpose for which we are called hither. Called I say, though I have not called you to me, strangers from distant lands. You have come and are here met. Believe also, that we who sit here, and none others, must find counsel for the Peril of the World.”*</span></span></span></div>
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<br />
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-7838a203-7fff-263c-efcd-78d3e193ac78" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Never has there been a gathering like this, save when the Halflings brought Sauron's One Ring forth and journeyed to Mordor to destroy it at the end of the Third Age. It is impossible to tell now, in this age, what may come of this gathering. The future is unknowable. All we can do is make the best choices we can make with what we know now.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Most of you know the recent history of how we arrived to this point in software development. The older history might be unfamiliar to you, save by rumor. I remember well how the first programmers were women. They worked hard understanding the connectivity required for the first electronic computers to work and how they could be made more flexible. I remember how they were pushed aside when Men found their work and discoveries more interesting, and likely more lucrative, than what they did.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I remember how languages were developed to make use of these advances. How the people working to make them better worked side by side. I remember how rank and position was set aside for most. I also remember how people were slighted and relegated to “less important” and glamorous roles because of outward looks.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I was saddened to see Men presume that because Sauron was defeated, they no longer needed to listen to the wisdom of other races who had long ago deemed such differences to be irrelevant.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Still, I saw hopeful signs that they might learn to be equals. People set aside job titles and specific roles and worked to make technology do amazing things. Many of the Elves thought the time had come for us to finally go to the Havens and cross the Sea. We few stayed because we saw evil at work again and thought to counter it, if we could. Even without the power of the Three Rings, we thought we might give counsel one more time before leaving at long last.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And here we are gathered.”</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A dwarf stood and looked at Elrond and the man in white robes. "Forgive me Master Elrond. All you say is true. Dwarves remember well how these things came to pass. We feared that the Race of Men might falter even though the Evil of Sauron was removed. We hoped that the King, Aragorn, might order all things differently. Alas for our times. It would seem the hopes of Dain in this have not come to pass. We will aid this, however we can. If you or Gandalf can guide us a little longer, we would not replace one Evil with another."</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two Elves stood. One was Erestor, the other dressed in more simple, green clothing. “Gimli, son of Gloin, we know your worth and see your concerns. A better companion no elf could ask for. We know these threats have existed in the race of Men from the early times. Through the Dark Years they slumbered. While your request is heartfelt, I fear this falls on the Race of Men to address. Our time is over. We elves will fade. We have little influence except in rare people.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Legolas Greenleaf, you speak for me as well,” said Erestor. "We can offer some amount of counsel to Men. But, only those willing to hear it will act. We cannot change them, no matter our good intent.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All sat and looked downcast. Gimli most of all. Elrond looked around the room. “Faramir, Steward of Gondor and Prince of Ithelen, speak now. You have thoughts on this.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A tall, noble looking man in white and green livery bearing a silver tree wrought by some craft the travelers did not know, stood and looked around the room. His gaze landed on the four travelers and he spoke.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Let us remember the words of Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, King under the Mountain and predecessor of Dain. Thorin at the time of his parting, regretted that so many valued wealth and hoarded gold and jewels over companionship, good food, shared experiences and happy memories. Since the decision to make Software an asset to be created or manufactured, Men have longed to control the making of it.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Indeed, much of the ill will that exists in the making of software comes from those who would assert control over the making and testing of software. All would control that which cannot be controlled. It might be discovered, but controlling how it is discovered in folly. All attempts to do so lead to bitter division and rancor.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“People come forth from time to time with the “best ways” to make software. They speak of ideal ways that software can be crafted - dreamed, designed and created. They put forth their methods over all other methods and fail to see the folly they bring.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This is common among all men. They see only that which they would. Even those of the Race of Numenor can be deceived by their own visions, as my father was ere the end.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The man robed in White looked thoughtfully at Faramir as he sat down. Elrond smiled and said “Now Gandalf, let us hear you. Your wisdom is great and you have seen much of the world. Your long struggle against Sauron and his minions have taught you much about Men as well. Speak now and do not be silent.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gandalf, for verily it was Gandalf the White who stood before them now, looked at the gathered assembly who seemed ill at ease. His eyes fell on the Four Travelers.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Noon bell chimed. Still, silence filled the room and no one made to move. The Four Travelers shifted uneasily in their seats.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><i>The Story continues <a href="https://bit.ly/2KB9Ciz">here</a>. </i></span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">--</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">* </span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-8962cca9-7fff-7a36-c422-6ef6fd0a11a7" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JRR Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, ©JRR Tolkien, 1954, renewed 1982, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, Boston, 2014, p. 236</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-41717118430791201022020-04-20T14:11:00.000-04:002020-04-27T19:10:06.543-04:00The Road to Rivendell<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the fifth part of the story which began <a href="http://bit.ly/2vFDiqJ" target="_blank">here</a>. The second is <a href="http://bit.ly/2VUxeWk" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></i><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />The third is <a href="http://bit.ly/33uaZbl" target="_blank">here</a>. The fourth is <a href="https://bit.ly/3aqtBM4" target="_blank">here</a>. This saga continues below.</span></span></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-e2bbf5d1-7fff-86c6-4f63-64283347fc58" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the Road</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The travelers left Bree the next morning. All the residents of Bree and the surrounding country turned out to watch them leave. Not because of any sense of wonder, but mostly making sure they did not trespass on any of their property or work domains.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because they wanted to be certain that the travelers didn’t do anything without the proper sign-offs.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They followed the road a fair distance, making sure no one could see them from Bree. They also made sure there was no one else watching them, monitoring their progress and gathering measurements that could be misused or interpreted inappropriately.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After what seemed a very long time, they turned off the road and headed cross country. Cutting through bracken and furze. They found a swamp that needed to be skirted as best they could. At one point they found themselves moving in circles as they really had no guidance nor sure idea where they were.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After several days of wandering aimlessly with no significant adventures of interest to us, and no dangers along the road save the inconvenience not finding a conveniently located inn, they heard horses hooves. Looking through the undergrowth they saw a fine white horse. Mounted on the horse was an elf who appeared to be looking for them.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They held their breath, afraid of what might happen. That is, until one of them whispered “Why are we hiding? This is an elf! Not something evil like an Orc, or Troll or Manager!”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The elf heard the whisper. He laughed and said, “You have no reason to fear me. Indeed! Word of your quest reached Elrond at Rivendell. He sent riders out in the directions you were likely to travel that we might find you. Will you hide or wander forever or will you come with me to speak with Elrond at fair Imladris, or Rivendell as it is now called?”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They came out from their hiding spot and looked in wonder. They had never met an elf before. Indeed, they thought elves and such to be long vanished if they ever existed at all.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He dismounted from his horse and walked toward them “Greetings! I am called Erestor. You look weary and perhaps a bit dazed. Wandering in the wild without a guide can be challenging if not dangerous. I can walk with you and bring you to a camp where I have some companions preparing food, expecting me to find you today. The way is not far. There you can rest and refresh yourselves before we journey to Rivendell. It is not far, but will be full night before we arrive there.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With that, the travelers happily joined Erestor and went with him. A short distance only they walked, less than a mile. Still they would not have found the camp at all, save for Erestor leading them. They also found the road they had been searching for. The elves's camp was right near it.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning, the travelers woke to find a delightful breakfast of fresh baked bread with butter, fruits, nuts and honey waiting for them. They ate this gladly, then went with Erestor, walking with him as he told many tales and stories from the past.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But any information about testing or software he would not share. “Such things are not for me to talk with you about. Elrond should be the one who can speak with you on these matters.”<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The story continues <a href="https://bit.ly/2zhnMTn">here</a>. </i></span></span></span></span></div>
Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-68571167083131638382020-04-07T10:22:00.000-04:002020-04-07T10:22:28.265-04:00We Are RightI see it all the time.<br /><br />
I bet you do, too.<br />
<br />
People have a different view than us.<br />
They see things differently.<br />
They must be wrong.<br />
Because we are right.<br />
<br />
We shut out people with different opinions than us.<br />
Or we shout them down until they go away.<br />
<br />
What we have left are people who all agree with us.<br />
<br />
We are right.<br />
<br />
They are not.<br />
<br />
We are well reasoned and considered.<br />
<br />
They are blinded by charlatans or sheltered from the hard thinking we have had to do.<br />
They don't know about the choices that really matter.<br />
We have thought those things through and made the hard choices.<br />
<br />
Anyone who does not agree with us is wrong.<br />
<br />
They are foolish.<br />
They are misled.<br />
They might be stupid or idiots.<br />
<br />
Or sheep.<br />
<br />
I'm talking about software testing.<br />
What did you think I was talking about?<br />
Politics?<br />
<br />Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-47918886763503135352020-03-26T14:10:00.000-04:002020-04-24T08:00:17.413-04:00At Bree<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the fourth part of the story which began <a href="http://bit.ly/2vFDiqJ" target="_blank">here</a>. The second is <a href="http://bit.ly/2VUxeWk" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></i><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />The third is <a href="http://bit.ly/33uaZbl" target="_blank">here</a>. This saga continues below.</span></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All that is said among us is that far away,<br />over many hills and rivers,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">live the halfling folk<br />that dwell in holes and sand-dune...*</span></span></span></b></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Four brave testers, related to the Tooks and Brandybucks, looked around them and began thinking about how things were. They began thinking about how things might be. They began thinking about how things could be better.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These testers looked around and wondered what they might do. They kept seeing problems come up even when they followed the rules. They worked hard to make sure the rules were strictly followed and there were still problems.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They asked for help and were told they must not have been doing something “right.” They showed what they had done to plan for testing. They showed how they had done the testing. They showed the bugs they found in testing. And they showed what bugs were found in production. They asked what they should have done to know something like those bugs might happen.</span></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Answers were not helpful. “Work smarter.” The testers drinking their beer at The Green Dragon, in Bywater (nice place if you ever go there) talked quietly amongst themselves. They compared results with each other. They compared the responses they received.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then they very quietly began talking about other things. They began wondering why it was that the “experts” were not able to give them guidance or even suggestions on how to do things better. They wondered why, no matter how hard they tried, they still had problems.</span></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then they began wondering.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They wondered if other people had similar experiences. They began quietly asking others if they ran into things as they had. They wondered if they had gotten any better help in how they should work from the experts.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They got answers along the lines of “Well, the experts told us we needed to try harder and make sure we did not misunderstand anything. They also said we must have misunderstood something because there were bugs in production.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But we don’t know how we could have misunderstood anything because we always asked the developers to make sure we understood the same things.”</span></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So the testers decided they needed other sources of information. Other ideas they could try to make their testing better.</span></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The four of them decided to head to Bree. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">None of them had been there before, but they heard there might be other testers who could help them. They might encounter people with different ideas and different experiences. They might find the solution to the problems they had. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They might figure out why the testing rules they were supposed to follow did not eliminate the bugs found in production.</span></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After some adventures, they indeed met people with different views.</span></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Testers out of the Shire! Strange.This hasn’t happened in a long time!” </span></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Still, it was good for them to get out. What they found was that many people found testers to be imaginative. They met testers from Bree and other wanderers. There were people who sat quietly and listened to the conversation. They did not join in the stories. They did not sing along with any songs. They simply observed. And watched.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some of the Bree testers warned them that doing things “against the rules” wasn’t natural. Bad things would come of it. They were cautioned about taking up outlandish ideas. They were warned against taking up with strangers and wanderers who did not seem to follow any rules but their own.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What they found was that many were so comfortable, so convinced of the “rightness” of what they were told, even when they thought something was amiss, any fault lay with themselves.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To the four travelers, these seemed predictable yet sad. They knew something was not right and were determined to seek out what it was, or at the least, a better way. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They continued from Bree, looking for signs and portents and reading and talking with people. They talked with wandering Elves and Bombadill (Iarwainn Ben-adar, Orald.) They knew things were wrong. They knew things needed setting right.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They knew they needed something. </span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-742d5c76-7fff-05f1-a85e-757f914b3345" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> JRR Tolkien, The Two Towers, ©JRR Tolkien, 1954, renewed 1982, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, Boston, 2014, p 544.</span> </span></span></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Story continues <a href="https://bit.ly/2VKxPrS">here</a>. </span></span></span></i></div>
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Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-28907806596110075582020-03-18T12:16:00.000-04:002020-03-18T12:16:00.827-04:00Virtual Pipe Band Rehearsal Tips<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px none; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="border: 0px none; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">At Home Band Rehearsal Tips</span></b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Part of the fun of playing in a pipe band is getting together with bandmates at rehearsal, work hard, come out sounding better at the end than when you went in, and having a bevvy and a laugh after. The challenge comes when the band hall is closed or unavailable <span class="_1aFK1bl8nu9HzQ8EPIECQr" id="SmartSuggestionsKeyword77183" style="animation-duration: 0.1s; animation-fill-mode: both; animation-name: _1aFK1bl8nu9HzQ8EPIECQr; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Search for suggestions">thanks</span> to storms, snowfall or highly infectious pandemics.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Here's a few ideas to keep your playing sharp and keep everything in shape so you can hit the ground running the next time you can physically get together.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Tip 1</b> - <i>Remember, you Practice at home and Rehearse with the Band.</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The PM/Lead Tip may chose to work on music and break things down while sitting around a table with chanters and pads. Unless you were handed the music THAT DAY, a diligent musician will have worked on in and come in prepared to play it with the group. Practice at home. Get it as close to "street legal" as you can on your own. Then bring it in for a reality check. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Tip 2</b> - <i>Getting Street Legal.</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Most people practice and thing "OK, that wasn't too bad" or "hmm, that could be better." What is hard is concentrating on what you are doing, and listening for HOW you are doing it. I know from my own experience that I like to delude myself in this way. How do I fix it? Same way I suggest to everyone now (and not just when "isolated" or "quarantined".) Record yourself playing. Play it back and listen. Listen critically. Listen for mistakes, listen for ornaments with "cheating" parts in them - like not getting "quite all the little" notes in, or choked moves. Listen for rolls not quite being carried through to the end. Listen for the little wavers in tempo. Listen for the BIG wavers in tempo. Do it again until you can't hear it yourself.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Tip 3</b> - <i>Getting more street legal.</i></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Now for the harder part. Get a metronome going. Set it a couple beats per minute SLOWER than the PM says he wants the tunes played. For example, if something is to be played at 76 beats per minute (bpm) in competition or performance, set the metronome to 74 bpm. Play it at that speed and record it. It will likely feel unnaturally slow. Listen to the result. How are the ornaments? Relaxed? Clean? Consistent? Or are they still kind of choppy? Is one "fine" and the next a trainwreck? Repeat this process until every ornament, every move, every embellishment is consistent and identical to every other embellishment of that type. Then, set the metronome to the "performance speed" and play the tunes through again. While recording. Play it back and listen critically AGAIN. Are the ornaments still good? or are the fuzzy and icky? Slow it down and play the tune until you have no choice but to play it right. Then speed it up again and listen again. (piping/drumming version of 'shampoo, rinse, repeat.)</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Tip 4 </b>-<i> Reality check.</i></span></div>
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When you have the tunes at the correct tempo, and you cannot hear any more problems or mistakes, make one more recording and send it to the PM or Lead Tip. Ask THEM to listen to it. Ask THEM to critique it.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
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<b>Tip 5 </b>- <i>For PM/DS.</i></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
Make recordings at performance speed, with a metronome in the background, getting played the way YOU want the music played. (Better make sure your stuff is spot in as well!) Then send it/share it with your respective corps, and the band as a whole! That way, the individual drummers can play along with the PM's recording and hear how their playing fits with the pipes. Individual pipers can play along with the DS and hear how their playing fits with the drums. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
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<b>Finally.</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
This won't replace in person rehearsal completely. However, it WILL help your playing overall, so when you get together in person, for real, you can work together more easily.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border: 0px none; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b>Just one more thing.</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You can do this any time. You don't need to wait for a blizzard or a massive pandemic to practice this way. You can do this all during the off-season and be even more <span class="_1aFK1bl8nu9HzQ8EPIECQr" id="SmartSuggestionsKeyword320474" style="animation-duration: 0.1s; animation-fill-mode: both; animation-name: _1aFK1bl8nu9HzQ8EPIECQr; border-bottom-color: currentColor; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image-outset: 0; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 100%; border-image-source: none; border-image-width: 1; border-left-color: currentColor; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: currentColor; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: currentColor; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; color: inherit; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Search for suggestions">awesome</span> come performance/competition season. </span></div>
Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-13902203264825307852020-03-16T21:45:00.000-04:002020-04-24T08:01:16.685-04:00The Uruk-Hai<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the third in a series of posts.The first is <a href="http://bit.ly/2vFDiqJ" target="_blank">here</a>. The subsequent one is <a href="http://bit.ly/2VUxeWk" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This saga continues below.</span></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Halflings! But they are only a little people</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">in old songs and children’s tales out of the North.*</span></b></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Working in isolation of others was considered wrong in prior ages. Then <br />it became normal. Each person had a specific role to play. Each person <br />had a specific function to fill. Project work lined up for Business Analysts, <br />Designers, Developers, Testers and everyone else. The Project Manager <br />kept things moving. The Project Manager kept people on time and on <br />task.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Of course, it was not quite stated that way. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">There was talk about “industry standards” and “best practices.” There<br />was talk about how the goal was to deliver value. There was talk <br />delivery and “stretch goals.” There was talk about how the “stage <br />gates” would ensure everyone was in agreement, and how thrash <br />would be reduced if not prevented.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Making a change to anything became huge after there was a “sign-off” <br />at the “stage gate” for that area. “Why wasn’t this found before? How <br />come no one raised this issue?”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">To drive efficiency the thinking process of people who found solutions<br />to needs by software was replaced by templates and tools and “linear <br />process models.” The people doing the work became less important than<br />the process.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">To emphasize this point, people doing specific tasks were given special</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">rewards. They are needed to make things happen. Differences in pay </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">rates were introduced. People not in those roles were told their role, in </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">relationship to the more special people.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Training programs in companies, then colleges, universities and even </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">trade schools emphasized “write code” over everything else. There was</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">little attention paid to other aspects for some of these.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Ideas around “why” were replaced by technical “how.” Exposure to logic </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and systems thinking were reduced to elements of a survey course, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">instead of being courses themselves. Testing was mentioned less and </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">less. In the end, a basic mention of “unit” testing might occur. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Depending on the school or training facility.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The results were predictable.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Developers became “ninjas” and “rockstars.” Everyone else served </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">them. People not willing to work in those circumstances and conditions </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">drifted away to other fields.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Other people became comfortable with this way of working. They </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">were paid reasonably well and as long as they did not rock the boat </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">too much, there were no real problems.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Until something did not work or something went wrong.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Then all the attention landed on the people doing testing. They must </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">not be testing “right.” Because, if they were, there would not be any </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">problems and the code would be bug-free. And problems in “production”</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">would never occur.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The fault must lie in how the testers were testing. Because the </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">developers were ninjas and rockstars.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The idea of “designing” tests was considered ludicrous. There was no </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">real “design” needed to write test scenarios. After all, the requirements </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">were very clear. There was no way the testers could have misunderstood.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">There is no way the testers could have interpreted the requirements </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">differently than the developers did. And if they did, it is because they</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">are not ninja rockstars!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">So a pack of Orcs are turned loose on the testers. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Where there’s a whip, there’s a will!”**</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Testers are driven with whips and threats and clubs to do exactly what </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">they are intended to do and not contradict the developers because the </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">developers are ninja rockstars and the testers are not. And so, after </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">berating the testers, the Orcs force the testers to apologize and make </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">all their tests pass, because everything is as the developers meant it </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to be.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Until the people who asked for the software, the users and customers, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">try using it.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Then the testers are berated for “not thinking outside the box.” </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Because if they had, they could have reasoned with the developers </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and explained, politely and with soft, understated voices (so as to not </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">offend the developers) why they thought something “might be wrong”</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">with the solution designed by the developers.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">So, forced to drink the foul drink of Orcs and blamed for things being </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">wrong, even when they tried to warn people that things looked wrong, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the testers settled into a simple, plain existence. They simply said </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">they’d “do better” on the next project.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">And they documented how their test scripts lined up with the </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">requirements and the design and how they could make everything line </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">up perfectly. As long as people did not mind that things were not really </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">right. But because they did precisely what they were told to do, they </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">hardly got yelled at at all.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">So, they grumbled a bit and got used to it. They went to the Green </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dragon in Bywater and drank their beer and ale.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: x-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">*</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b9577f43-7fff-67a1-e9ec-905ac8225b6c" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JRR Tolkien, The Two Towers, ©JRR Tolkien, 1954, renewed 1982, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, Boston, 2014, p 424.</span> </span></span></i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: x-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">**</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b9577f43-7fff-67a1-e9ec-905ac8225b6c" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JRR Tolkien, The Return of the King, ©JRR Tolkien, 1954, renewed 1982, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, Boston, 2014, p 910.</span> </span></span></i></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The story continues <a href="https://bit.ly/3aqtBM4">here</a>. </span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div>
</div>
Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-43204501850759029392020-03-15T10:56:00.001-04:002020-03-15T10:56:24.946-04:00On Business ContinuityThis is aimed at Managers, Directors, VPs, and C* suite people. The thoughts are drawn from my experience in well over 20 years in software as a maker, improver and thinker.<br />
<br />
Quite a few years ago, I was tasked with reviewing and testing the Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity plans for the company I worked for. I skimmed the existing documentation and asked what level of "disaster" would be the worst we could plan for.<br />
<br />
For example, a fire in the main office where the mainframe and all the primary servers were located? Floods in the distribution centers (DCs) preventing operation? Catastrophic loss of power to the DCs that might prevent the facilities from operating? Sure, there are backup generators - how long can they operate with the fuel on-hand? Under what circumstances do they not work?<br />
<br />
The response was something like, "No, Pete. Only worry about the computer systems. We need to make sure that we can continue to operate business as usual." My response was something like, "Those will likely be the least of the issues. Your people will matter far more than your computer systems."<br />
<br />
I remember the contingency planning at that company for "problems" with Y2K. Loads of meetings and loads of work done and piles of software changes and tests and massive overtime for years in advance. We were reasonably certain that everything we could make ready was ready. We spent massive effort in 1999 testing everything we could test.<br />
<br />
One meeting, someone who must have read something on the internet, (where everything must be true, right?) asked "What happens if the power grid goes down? How do we keep our facilities safe? What are your plans for keeping looters from ransacking our inventory?"<br />
<br />
We blinked. Silence in the room. A colleague, manager of one area who was also an officer in the Army Reserve, quietly said, "In that situation, we'll need body armor, M-16s, .45 cal side arms and a thousand rounds of ammunition for every person scheduled to work on site."<br />
<br />
This was met by horrified looks. He then said, very calmly and sounding more officer-like than I had heard him speak before, "And none of us will be here. We'll head for home to take care of our families. That is far more important than 'guarding' warehouses full of stuff."<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>My Point</b></span><br />
<br />
No matter how much calm you want to project, no matter how much your people want to appear calm, Western society is facing something it hasn't seen in years - 100 of them to be precise. Rapidly spreading, undetectable (until symptomatic) illness that has a growing global death toll (last I report I read yesterday was a fatality rate of ~200 deaths a day in Italy) has got some folks spooked.<br />
<br />
The idea of "quarantine" and "self-isolation" hearkens back to public pools and community areas being shut-down because of Polio outbreaks. The idea that people can be contagious without knowing it - without "feeling sick" - is part of what makes this different than the more recent flu outbreaks often referenced by pundits. <br />
<br />
Schools shut down for 3 weeks, as they are where I live, and canceled sporting and other events might appear to be an overreaction. The point is to stop something potentially bad from becoming horrific.<br />
<br />
People are going to be nervous and on-edge. Allow for that and acknowledge that. Let them be like my former colleague who intended to take care of his family above all else.<br />
<br />
Give them the space to be human above being a "resource."<br />
<br />
Recognize that "business as usual" is likely not going to be what it was last month or last year.<br />
<br />
Working from home is a start. People will still be distracted. Small children will likely not understand why they are not in daycare, and are home with everyone when it is not a holiday. Older ones will have their own questions. They may not have an area set up to work conveniently out of their house. Not everyone has that empty, unused room or corner of a room that can be turned into an "office" only for work.<br />
<br />
Let people discover their new equilibrium. Let them regain their balance. Then help them however they need it.<br />
<br />
And ask them what help they need.<br />
<br />Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-36139029246647907622020-03-07T16:45:00.001-05:002020-03-21T09:17:13.047-04:00The Shadow of the Past<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-02d9d74d-7fff-5357-03d9-abe72fb966f3" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One morning long ago in the world,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">when there was less noise and more green…* </span></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a time when Developers were Programmers. Or maybe Programmer-analysts.<br /><br />People talked with customers and business users about their needs for software or changes to that software. People talked about requirements and design. They talked about file systems and how information should be stored, referenced and accessed. They looked at other forms of file systems and found solutions to data problems. People looked at databases and designed changes to them.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People wrote code and developed software. They talked with each other. They talked with loads of people who might have ideas. They helped other people with their software problems, just as they received help with their problems. They talked with the customers and business users while working on the code, talking about what pieces did what things. They showed them what screens and reports looked like and had demos the customers could talk through and give feedback on.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They sat down together and figured things out without regard to title or position to make the best software they could make, to fill the needs of customers and business users. They worked to deliver functionality as quickly as they could - sometimes one piece at a time.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People tested software. They found unexpected behavior. They asked questions. They looked at the answers and compared the answers to what the design and requirements described. If they still could not find a complete answer, they went back and asked the customers or business users.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These were all the same people.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To be successful, teams and individuals needed to support each other. Of course, not everyone was equally skilled in all areas. Everyone had skills that complemented everyone else on the team. Everyone could help others be better at the tasks at hand.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People NEEDED to help each other. Everyone learned and grew.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This was long before “Agile” or “lightweight development methodologies” which Agile grew out of. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This was before the push to commoditize and monetize software development. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is when I started working in software. My memory stretches across several ages of software.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I remember well the banners and slogans that came after these eldar days. I remember how they proclaimed things would be better. I remember how they said software would be made faster and be more predictable. I remember when the company where I worked reorganized everyone into different roles.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before, their “reorganizations” had involved people reporting to different managers or being given systems they would be responsible for.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This was different.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Dark Shadow fell over Greenwood. People began calling it Mirkwood. “Modern Scientific Management Theory” began getting applied to making software. No longer was it “research and development. It was not considered “Manufacturing.”</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Programmers would program. Sometimes they would do “analysis” work. Sometimes they would be given a set of requirements and told to make that software. Except, things were different now. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Programmers would not “gather requirements.” That was for a new class of worker, “Business Analysts.” Programmers would unit test their code, but other people would test it “fully.” </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In time, “Designers” would do “design” work. And “Architects” would “architect systems.” and DBAs would handle anything to do with database structure. Programmers could still write code to access it, but needed to make sure any code they wrote which might “update” the database was “of sufficient quality” to not cause problems for the database.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In time, Programmers became “Developers.” They did more than simply program. They developed “solutions.” </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People were expected to focus on their immediate tasks. “Working together” was to be avoided unless there were significant problems. Everything was to be clearly documented. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Developers "developed." Designers "designed." Testers "tested." Project managers supervised everyone's work and made sure they stayed on task and on time.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If someone didn't, the Project Manager made sure "the Boss" or "the Great Eye" knew about it. There would be "repercussions." </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>The story continues <a href="http://bit.ly/33uaZbl" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">*<span id="docs-internal-guid-edf1d436-7fff-5adc-59a7-8c9ea494f598" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JRR Tolkien, The Hobbit, ©1937 JRR Tolkien, renewed 1982, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, Boston, 2014, p 5.</span></span></span></i></div>
Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-30712906974591904102020-03-04T09:45:00.002-05:002020-04-27T19:07:13.570-04:00Hobbit Software Testing<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-0946ab77-7fff-bdd7-31c2-f3b8031cdd84" style="line-height: 1.08; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.<br />Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends<br />of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare,<br />sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat:<br />it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">.*</span></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For long years we have been comfortable in our way of living and working. Events from the distant past that do not involve us or our people are half remembered and are therefore legendary. Things happening far away are far away and don’t concern us at the least. That is their business and we have concerns of our own.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They can do what they do and try new-fangled, outlandish approaches. We will stick with the tried and true methods we have seen work. We will do this because this is what we have always done. We are comfortable with it. It has always worked before and will continue to work.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People telling us to do things differently are trying to upset the natural order of things.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our bosses tell us what to do. Our training tells us this is how it is to be done. We work hard at it and are paid a reasonable wage. We will not get rich, but we will be comfortable.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These people telling us they don’t need testers are silly people trying to frighten us. Other people telling us we must learn to code are pushing us away from the real work we are doing.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of course, some of us living here hoped to become developers at one time. We wanted to do that but could not get a job as developers, so we went into testing. We thought we could use this as a way to move into a developer position. But they have really high standards and keep telling us this is a good way to be.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, some of us try and learn to do automation coding. That looks a lot like code. It kind of is like being a developer but we’re not quite doing that. We’re writing code and we’re running it and it tests code written by developers. Some of us get told what the code we write should do. Others are told to figure it out.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That kind of job is not comfortable. Many of us don’t like that. We don’t want to change.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Others, experts who write books and teach courses and speak at conferences, tell us that is not “testing.” It is something else. They tell us doing real testing is hard. What we do is hard, so it must be real testing.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We often did not understand things they said or words they used. They sometimes upset people and said things that seemed to contradict what we were told to do. That does not really matter. We guess.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For simple people like us, they give a comforting message. We don’t need to do those things to be “testers.” We like being “testers.” We like things being predictable.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Things that are predictable make us feel better. We know what is meant by “test case” and “test plan.” We hear people talk about “test strategy” and we know what that is, but don’t worry about it too much because it does not really mean much to what we do.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have one for each project, a strategy that is. But we copy another project’s strategy. We change the name of the project. We make sure to change other things. We change the names of the testers and project manager and the development lead. We make sure those match the project we are working on but really, nothing else much changes.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We do predictable work. We make test plans and cases and run tests manually and we find bugs. We enter the bugs in the bug tracking tool. We make sure that each bug relates to a test case. We make sure each bug has all the information needed so the developer can fix it.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of course, the developer might not fix it. Someone might say it is not important enough to fix. Or they might say “works as designed” and close it. That’s OK, we guess. We found the bug and maybe it wasn’t a bug, but it looked like a bug and did not look like what the “expected results” said we should expect.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So we come into work. We sit down at our desks and signon and check email and look at stuff on the web. We might read something the bosses send us or tell us to read.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then we got tea. Some might get coffee, but others will drink tea. Because tea is a good drink when working on predictable tasks. We’d like cocoa, but save that for a treat in the afternoon after we have been working hard doing the work we are supposed to do.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are comfortable.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nothing ever changes.</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>The story continues <a href="http://bit.ly/2VUxeWk" target="_blank">here</a>. </i></b></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-885b7d8c-7fff-6a2f-6033-8e78abf311c4" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">JRR Tolkien, The Hobbit, ©1937 JRR Tolkien, renewed 1982, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, Boston, 2014, p. 3.</span> </span></span></span></span></i></div>
Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-81188167044711997572020-02-17T13:06:00.000-05:002020-02-17T13:52:52.627-05:00The Automated Testing TrapA brief sidebar at the latest local Tester meetup (#GRTesters) caused a certain amount of thinking and remembering. This is the result.<br />
<br />
Before venturing back into contract work, I was working for a large company where bosses had very definite ideas about "testing" and "automation" and "code." Some of them were quite reasonable. Some of them resulted in me, and others, pushing back really, really hard on their assertions.<br />
<br />
I got responses like "Have you read the book {big boss} talked about? If you have, you would understand his message." Yeah, except I knew the authors of that book. We had presented at the same conferences and had taken each other's workshops. I also knew the people their work was build upon, whom they cited. So, I'm sorry. I still have no comprehension what this means.<br />
<br />
I got pretty well ignored after that. Then I read the "new" job descriptions for people doing what I did. Oh my.<br />
<br />
I pushed back really hard on those - You SAY you want certain skills, and somehow you ignore the skills needed to make use of the skills you say are required. I think there is a disconnect.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>The Problem of Automation</b></span><br />
<br />
To begin, I am a fan of using automation for testing. I want to use the best possible tools to make sure the best possible outcome. I want to use tools that help me do good work.<br />
<br />
I see more and more positions for "Automation Testers" that focus on the primary development language, characteristics of the stack, tool set, Git repository and on and on. Many of these read like the job descriptions I was speaking out about a few years ago. I have kind of been pushing hard against these types of characterizations for some time. (I think that is why some folks consider me to be "anti-automation.")<br />
<br />
Please, don't misunderstand me. Those things can be important, in some contexts for some organizations.<br />
<br />
To paraphrase the Wendy's commercial from 1984, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnCajZth-24" target="_blank">Where's the testing</a>?"<br />
<br />
By placing the emphasis of the job descriptions, notices and search terms into the easy to understand structure used for developers, there is a disconnect. By focusing on development skills at the cost of all other skills, for example, actual skill and experience in testing, you are limiting the role you seek to fill.<br />
<br />
More importantly, you put the <i>product</i> and your <i>organization</i>, at risk - if not potentially in mortal danger.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>On Situational Awareness</b></span><br />
<br />
After a bit of consideration, I had a thought.I realize it does not fit ALL tech type managers. Still, many I have met clearly have a mindset something like <a href="https://dilbert.com/strip/1994-10-17" target="_blank">THIS</a> when it comes to testing. It is reflected throughout development teams.<br />
<br />
I don't place the blame for this on the "code camps" many developers are coming from. I do not place this on the colleges and universities where many more have come from and continue to come from.<br />
<br />
Instead, I think it is a failure on many levels to understand what Software Development as a whole is. I think it is a complete failure in "situational awareness." People are not aware what the full picture is. They are focused on their little corner of it, if that.<br />
<br />
The failure, as Sherlock Holmes would put it, is <i><b>"You see, but you do not observe."</b></i><br />
<br />
Part of this is failing to recognize there are many forms and types of "Automation." Something like a typical CI environment, running low level tests that are effectively base-line tests for core functionality, is one aspect. Building meaningful regression tests to exercise software function to cover known behaviors is another. Adding to and removing from both of these sets of test suites takes time and careful consideration.<br />
<br />
Discounting the need for experience in testing over experience writing code is a disaster waiting to happen. <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>On Testing</b></span><br />
<br />
Good Testing is not a box to be checked.<br />
Good Testing takes careful, considered work.<br />
Good Testing is crucial to understanding how your software product behaves before your customer gets their hands on it.<br />
<br />
The
issue I see in many, many organizations is most "leaders" of the
software organization have no idea what Good Testing is, nor what is
involved in achieving that. I wrote a series of blog posts on this some
time ago.<br />
<br />
Start here: <a href="http://bit.ly/OMAtUm" target="_blank">You Call THAT Testing?</a><br />
Then go here: <a href="http://bit.ly/MQSpx5" target="_blank">The Failure of Testers</a><br />
Then go here: <a href="http://bit.ly/Lr84PV" target="_blank">The Failure of Management</a><br />
And then go here: <a href="http://bit.ly/N8rHP3" target="_blank">Testers Rising to the Challenge</a><br />
<br />
Finally, there is this: <a href="http://bit.ly/2Be0E6P" target="_blank">Why Don't Managers Understand What Good Testing Is?</a><br />
<br />
I have spent the last many, many years trying to help people understand that thinking, good, testing is impossible to be removed from good software development. Apparently it is easier to talk accept the glossy paper snake-oil people sell while sipping craft beer and artisanal cocktails.<br />
<br />
"Automation" will not help your company, team or project. Automation driven by informed planning, driven by people trained in testing can likely help a great deal. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-22685169887348131312020-02-16T11:10:00.000-05:002020-02-16T11:10:49.359-05:00Encouraging, Motivating & Cajoling: Getting people to do the job... The local testing meet up (<b><i>#GRTesters</i></b>) I'm part of had an interesting discussion this past Thursday (13 Feb, 2020). We do round table discussions a fair amount of the time, which allows a reasonably free exchange of ideas - sometimes helped by locally made wine and beer, and sometimes a nice Toscana not made locally. This is based on my notes from the conversation. <br />
<br />
The official topic of conversation was the title of this post. It came about from a conversation a few months ago around a rather vague, but troubling prospect.<br />
<br />
How do you get people to do a job they were "voluntold" to do which they really
don't want to doat all? People walk into a meeting with an uncertain subject, and find out for the next 6 months, or more, they will be "helping out" on a "special project" that is "really important" to the company. It will take a lot of work, probably some extra hours, to get this stuff done.<br />
<br />
Oh, by the way, you also need to get your other work done on time, too. OK?<br />
<br />
Perfect organizations don't have this issue. It seems
most of us don't work in perfect organizations. Threats and intimidation
tend to be counter productive. When people are put into a
position they don't really want to have, how can we get good work done
and keep some form of harmony in the working group? Is that possible?<br />
<br />
THAT was the idea behind the discussion.<br />
<br />
I was a tad concerned. There were folks from what are considered "high performing" local companies. I had visions of people looking at me as if I had three heads and had pasta stuck in my beard. (We were in a corner of a local Sicilian restaurant.)<br />
<br />
Instead, people jumped in. Here is a summary of the discussion, because I found the results to be really interesting and potentially important.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>To Start, "Short Term"</b></span><br />
<br />
A couple of people jumped in with "Maybe not for 6 months, but shorter term things, a week or two, I've seen this work..." ideas.<br />
<br />
One idea, was something like the company bringing in lunch three days a week for the duration of the effort - a week or two they had seen. One idea, which I've used in the past, was to relax "dress code" and other typical office goofyness. Jeans whenever, t-shirts instead of "collared shirts", snacks in the project room - ALL THE TIME.<br />
<br />
For many companies, these are nothing new and a fair number do this all the time, anyway. For other companies, these little things can help ease the burden a bit.<br />
<br />
For a longer effort, one participant (who works for an "all remote" company) said he had seen money help as a short term thing. Something like, the project finishes, quality is OK (by some definition of OK) and the people doing the work, giving up time away from friends and family to make this project happen and get their usual work done as well - THEY get a "piece of the action." They share in the bonus or incentive pay which managers or directors might normally expect.<br />
<br />
This sent us down a tangent around "leadership" and what do "leaders" actually do. The energy seemed to be around the idea that if people have got pretty much any sense of professional reliability, they'll jump in and do the best work they can, without any special effort from bosses. Therefore, instead of the boss getting money, why not the people who actually made it happen?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Longer Term, ergo, Harder</b></span><br />
<br />
One idea or term that kept getting bandied about, was "team." We took a bit of time to distinguish between "people who report to the same boss" and "people working together on a common effort."<br />
<br />
If a group is really working as a team, at least part of this might be addressed. People pulled from their "real jobs" might get the support of others they normally work with to cover at least part of their non-project work.<br />
<br />
The group working on the "special project" needs to actually work as a team, toward a common purpose. If there is a small group "telling people what to do" without explaining the purpose, or allowing the individuals to learn and understand the purpose behind the work. it is unlikely there will be a meaningful level of success.<br />
<br />
The challenge is to encourage, coach and teach people through the learning process and keep them engaged and actively participating. Keeping people engaged takes a couple other things not noted yet...<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Making it work</b></span><br />
<br />
In the end, there are some things everyone agreed on. Among them, for this to work, people need to (at least act like) professional, adult workers doing their best possible work for their employer, while they work for them.<br />
<br />
Teams need to be teams and actually work together - as a team - supporting each other, holding each other up with support and holding each other accountable to contribute to the best of their abilities to team success.<br />
<br />
Without these things, not much else matters. The cool gimmicks and "motivational techniques" won't get you where you need to be. People need to do it.<br />
<br />
That includes managers, product owners, product managers, scrum masters, project managers, and on and on, supporting the team in tangible ways, then getting out of their way to allow them to do their best work.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Finally - </b></span><br />
<br />
Thanks to those who actively participated in the conversation Sarah, Jace, Keith & Greg. They jumped right in and had no qualms explaining their views. Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-56461490676390467972020-02-15T09:10:00.000-05:002020-02-15T09:10:06.720-05:00But What Does a QA, Tester Guy Know About...... Product?<br />
... BA work?<br />
... Development?<br />
<br />
My, what an interesting few days. I was asked those questions Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. It was an interesting set of discussions. My answer was similar for each of them.<br />
<br />
Starting with the easier one to explain first.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Development</b></span><br />
<br />
There's a secret that people with a specific agenda don't want others to know, I think.<br />
<br />
The
better someone doing testing or general quality work understands what
developers do, the language they work in and the database that holds the data,
the better questions they can ask around the software and the better testing
they can do.<br />
<br />
It seems obvious to me, but I think it isn't so obvious. Let me see if I can
explain what I mean.<br />
<br />
If a tester has a basic understanding of, say, SQL, and can read and write
basic queries, then she can build more targeted test structures and more
vigorously explore the application's behavior.<br />
<br />
If a tester can at least read through and understand what is happening in
the code, she can use her "tester mindset" and check her understanding
against the requirements - either in a traditional "Requirements Document" or in notes on the User Story/Story Card.<br />
<br />
She can look for discrepancies between her understanding of the requirements, specifications, whatever, and what she sees in the code. This can lead to conversation with the people writing the code and the BA and Product Owner/Product Manager to clarify and make sure everyone has a shared vision of the project.<br />
<br />
This is similar to how a good tester can understand what a BA does.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Business Analysis</b></span><br />
<br />
Testers look at the requirements produced by Business Analysts. Ideally, they participate in discussions where the requirements are discovered and defined. For many organizations this is not the case. (I suspect it goes a long way toward explaining the disbelief around a tester/Qa person understanding what a BA does.)<br />
<br />
I remember past projects and companies and clients and
places where things did not work well. Each time I asked about reviewing the requirements or specifications or user stories, then discussing them with the people who created them, I was often looked at with confusion. Like, "Why would you want to do that? Everything is written down here." This was often followed by "No testers have gone back to this stuff before. Why do you want to?"<br />
<br />
I learned to control myself.
My automatic reaction typically was to smile to myself and think "And that explains the state of
testing for these projects." <br />
<br />
What I actually said was "It is good to know what the documented
requirements are. It is also good to know what existing tests have been
set up or run already. It is essential to know what problem the
project is intended to address. It is crucial to know what people are
doing now and what they need the software to do for them."<br />
<br />
When looking at how to test something, or how to approach a piece of software, I've learned that the most effective way for me was to gain just that level of understanding. If I can understand the problem the BA was describing better, I can do a better job of testing to make sure the customer needs, problems and desires are being addressed.<br />
<br />
I sometimes get told that a BA will explain everything in the documentation and I should simply leave them alone. Except, everyone translates information that fits their view. Everyone filters out unimportant bits - which sometimes is really important.<br />
<br />
For that reason, I find conversation is the most powerful tool a tester has to build good, meaningful tests. They need to go beyond the handful of words written down and make sure they have the same perspective the BA was trying to represent.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Product</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The purpose of every software organization is to deliver
a viable, working product to customers. Every development model, quality program,
testing model, and approach, waterfall, Agile, SCRUM, Kanban, or XP aims to
deliver the best product possible. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These goals often fail, in my experience, with what I think of as the Edsel. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyone drive an Edsel lately? Wait. What? You haven't? I bet your neighbors have one though, right? Well, maybe not.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Edsel was an amazing piece of engineering, design and marketing. It had absolutely bleeding edge features for the time it was designed and produced. The goal was a "perfect product." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edsel#%22The_aim_was_right,_but_the_target_moved%22" target="_blank">failed miserably</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When working with software projects, I have a really fundamental opposition to trying to advance by "hitting home-runs." Most baseball players strike out, most of the time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Incremental improvement, based on firm understanding of the needs and problems we are trying to address seem a more solid solution to developing ideas into software.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we don't understand the needs and problems our customers have can we really make a product people want to use, let alone pay for?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I get the idea of "revolutionary." I get the value of being the "first to market." I also get that ideas are never perfect, and building on good ideas can lead to better ones. Take a minute and gather some data, then load it into <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VisiCalc" target="_blank">VisiCalc</a> and see the odds of the breakthrough leading to corporate success.<br />
<br />
Good ideas grow on each other. If you set a fixed direction and channel every available resource into that, will you be able to respond to changes in the market, or world? Will you be able to respond to problems found in creating the breakthrough?<br />
<br />
I find it helps to have a general idea with a broad, fuzzy view of what the final product will look like. The work to build that view needs to be sharper and more clear as it is being worked on. The tasks for next week need to be well understood. At least, they need to be understood enough to make progress toward the final end goal.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>What Does a Tester Know?</b></span><br />
<br />
As a "quality guy" I have seen enough examples of well meaning, well intended direction carved in stone that results in chaos, if not disaster. The key to success, as I see it, is to remember that ideas are transitory. They shape and shift and change over time.<br />
<br />
By keeping the conversation around the purpose of the product alive, and keeping every person involved "in the loop" as equals and as contributors to success, amazing things are possible.<br />
<br />
The higher and more formidable the barriers the less likely conversation and communication will happen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<br />Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-29215448960683686502020-01-01T11:41:00.000-05:002020-01-01T11:41:54.879-05:00An Unexpected Party, Journey and PostUp until yesterday, I had no intention of writing this blog post. I told many people I had no intention of doing so. Still, here I am.<br />
<br />
In 2009 I was in the process of winding down the small business I had started teaching drumming and music in general, mostly aimed at drummers in pipe bands but also other forms of drumming. In early 2010 I shuttered the blog I had on drumming, and in fact had not posted anything in since July of the year before.<br />
<br />
The "downturn" in the economy in 2008 had played havoc among small pipe bands, from whence most of the students attending workshops or taking lessons came from.<br />
<br />
This left me with a pile of time on my hands, and I found myself diving headlong into software and testing conferences. I had a new gig in 2008 and was helping folks find learning opportunities around software. One thing led to another and I ended up taking my boss's place at a conference in Toronto where I met loads of people whose work I had read and been influenced by.<br />
<br />
Fiona Charles, Michael Bolton and many more people I learned from and mentioned over the years in this blog, I met for the first time at that first conference. I determined to attend and participate in more. I determined that I had a message to give and I could share what I had learned, even though I was not a famous guru.<br />
<br />
An immediate outcome was creating this blog.<br />
<br />
In my very first post, <a href="http://bit.ly/2ZGQciV" target="_blank">Good Morning Tester Land</a>, on May 1, 2010, I wrote this:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i></i><br />
<i>What are
rhythms? They are patterns - ideas and concepts that can be found in
the expression of music. Like any form of pattern, they can be found in
other places as well. Typing on a keyboard gives a specific rhythm
that can be identified. Seams in the pavement while driving to work
gives an audible rhythm that sometimes mixes with the windshield wipers...</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i></i><br />
<i>My
intent, therefore, is to use this space to talk about testing and other
topics related to software, and the patterns and rhythms I see and hear
and participate in around me.</i></blockquote>
<br />
I have tried to do that. I still talk with people about patterns and rhythms. Over the last 10 years I have spoken at many conferences, made many friends and learned far more than I knew existed to be learned.<br />
<br />
I have made many friends and found deep wells of wisdom I cam call on when needed. I try and share what I have learned openhandedly. <br />
<br />
At the same time I offended people. I never intended to cause hurt and I know I did. For all those things I apologize and renew my annual intent to be a better person t-an I was the year, and now the decade, before.<br />
<br />
While I have done a fair amount of speaking, I intend to reduce that significantly going forward. I have some writing I want to do and I am looking at other means of sharing ideas and lessons. <br />
<br />
I want to find a way to work with individuals and small groups to help them discover how they can improve themselves. This might be in testing, things "agile," or even getting their own message out.<br />
<br />
These are things I have wrestled with and made a point to remember my early struggles, I still remember how hard it was to learn some things and I try to draw on those memories when helping others.<br />
<br />
I get called an expert a fair amount these days. Frankly, I get called that more than I feel comfortable with. I explain I simply have experiences and perspectives that I can draw on to help people.<br />
<br />
Am I the same person I was 10 years ago? No. Far from it. I have learned a great deal. I have tried to teach and share what I have learned.<br />
<br />
I try every day to be better than I was.<br />
<br />
Thank you to everyone who participated in my journey of learning. Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2405476812031211238.post-72323794111458811382019-09-29T17:51:00.000-04:002019-09-29T17:51:27.818-04:00Developers and Testers Are Made, Not BornI read fairly regularly, and hear more often, that "developers don't make good testers."<br /><br />Of course, I also see, and hear, just a little more hushed so as not to offend delicate sensibilities I think, that "testers don't make good developers."<br />
<br />
To both of these assertions I'd like to offer the same (heavily edited) response:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Codswollop.</b></span></span><br />
<br />
People learn skills. Very few are born innately knowing how to write code (in any language). Very few are innately knowing how to test software and report the results in a meaningful way.<br />
<br />
These "testers" who go on about developers not making good testers have no idea what they are blathering about. Likewise, "developers" who like to talk down to testers, or talk poorly about testers when there aren't any around, are likely insecure ninnies.<br />
<br />
Being a good developer means you also test. These days, being a good tester means you can at LEAST read through and understand code.<br />
<br />
The hardest part of both jobs is to admit you don't know something. The second hardest part is to communicate clearly and openly.<br />
<br />
All of you, get over yourselves and learn how to work together.<br />
<br />
Carry on.<br />
<br />Pete Walenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10651704389491850533noreply@blogger.com0