Starters, Finishers, and Large Teams (opens in new tab)

(blog.andyet.com)

18 pointsfritzy7y ago12 comments

12 comments

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestial_Emporium_of_Benevo...

I'm the guy who can't be bothered to understand complexity, because it doesn't interest me.

I could put my brain to work, figuring it out, but it's hard and not satisfying. I feel satisfied when I understand code right away because it's written by a clean code programmer.

So guess I'm lazy guard or something. I could also be incompetent though. :)

GoToRO7y ago

starters - people you hire to act as programmers because you need headcount.

finishers - actual programmers.

guards - programmers that you should pay really well but you don't because you have a non-technical project manager and you think it's the same.

fritzyOP7y ago

I, the OP, am a starter myself. I was focused on finishers because they're often undervalued.

GoToRO7y ago

We all are starters in some way. The thing that helped me was to realize it and change my ways. Also it helps if starters do not run the show.

haskellandchill7y ago

This is very accurate. I was thinking I had value as a starter but you have put me in my place!

GoToRO7y ago

I was referring to the definition given in the article just to be clear.

shanghaiaway7y ago

Guards sound like supervisors. Starters are juniors. Finishers are senior.

aeternus7y ago

So what happens when the starters design something that just doesn't work?

How are they getting feedback without finishing?

Finishers are actually the ones I want starting the project.

fritzyOP7y ago

In reality, everyone works together to make sure the project is successful throughout its lifespan. It's not usually a hand-off.

gowld7y ago

What do you do when none of your finishers start anything?

sophe7y ago

Can't stand those "starers". Always looking.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

12 comments

vinchuco7y ago

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestial_Emporium_of_Benevo...

some_account7y ago

I'm the guy who can't be bothered to understand complexity, because it doesn't interest me.

I could put my brain to work, figuring it out, but it's hard and not satisfying. I feel satisfied when I understand code right away because it's written by a clean code programmer.

So guess I'm lazy guard or something. I could also be incompetent though. :)

GoToRO7y ago

starters - people you hire to act as programmers because you need headcount.

finishers - actual programmers.

guards - programmers that you should pay really well but you don't because you have a non-technical project manager and you think it's the same.

fritzyOP7y ago

I, the OP, am a starter myself. I was focused on finishers because they're often undervalued.

GoToRO7y ago

We all are starters in some way. The thing that helped me was to realize it and change my ways. Also it helps if starters do not run the show.

haskellandchill7y ago

This is very accurate. I was thinking I had value as a starter but you have put me in my place!

GoToRO7y ago

I was referring to the definition given in the article just to be clear.

shanghaiaway7y ago

Guards sound like supervisors. Starters are juniors. Finishers are senior.

aeternus7y ago

So what happens when the starters design something that just doesn't work?

How are they getting feedback without finishing?

Finishers are actually the ones I want starting the project.

fritzyOP7y ago

In reality, everyone works together to make sure the project is successful throughout its lifespan. It's not usually a hand-off.

gowld7y ago

What do you do when none of your finishers start anything?

sophe7y ago

Can't stand those "starers". Always looking.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse